It's getting cold out there folks, and there's no better way to beat the chill than with a glass of spiced wine. This traditional winter drink is best served hot, and we've scoured the city to tell you about some of our favorites!
Kartel is a popular wine bar offering great views of downtown Shanghai from a rooftop terrace that will remain open throughout winter. Serving an array of cocktails, wine, finger food, and more, Kartel will also be including their version of a hot, mulled wine on the list. Whilst they do use some traditional ingredients such as cloves, cinnamon and orange, their recipe differs a little from the rest. Omitting star anise and following with the inclusion of honey, vanilla, a black tea bag and a splash of Calvados (apples distilled down to their elemental character in brandy form), Kartel’s mulled wine is a fruity combination of balanced flavors.
Find it: 5/F, 1 Xiangyang Lu, near Julu Lu
襄阳北路1号5楼
Tel: 5404 2899
Opening hours: 6pm-2am
Price: ¥50/glass. ¥30/glass during happy hour (6-8pm)
Spanish wine and tapas bar, La Bota, takes its name from the traditional leather wine bag that Spaniards have been using for centuries. Within, they offer an extensive selection of Spanish wines, as well as traditional tapas, char-grill steaks, cold cut platters and more to enjoy within their beautifully spacious venue. However, save the sangria for another time, because you’re going to want to want something hot that packs a punch. La Bota’s mulled wine is simmered with spices, star anise, cinnamon and red wine. What’s more, there’s an added touch of brandy and apple cider to make sure that you feel super cozy on a cold winter’s day.
Find it: La Bota Bund Docks, The Cool Docks, Lao Ma Tou, 18 Maojiayuan Lu, near Zhongshan Nan Lu
老码头, 毛家园路18号, 靠近中山南路&外马路
Tel: 5239 9197
Opening hours: Daily, 11:30am-11pm
Price: ¥50/glass
Striking a colourful balance between traditional and contemporary Italian, Funkadeli is your go-to place for cheese platters, cold cuts, pizza and more – including some delicious weekend brunch options. During the colder months, you will find a great mulled wine that will make your tastebuds happy. Made from red wine, fresh lemon juice, fresh orange juice, apple juice, cinnamon, cloves, and star anise, Funkadeli’s mulled wine is served up with a slight foam and garnished with a cinnamon stick, star anise, and dried lemon.
Find it: 291 Fumin Lu, near Changle Lu
富民路291号
Tel: 6170 1318
Opening hours: 11am-1am
Price: ¥60/glass
Drawing you in with affordable drinks, a solid menu and a welcoming atmosphere, Rambler had us reminiscing over warm log cabins that serve as respite from the bitter cold. Here, you can relax with friends or family and enjoy a great gluhwein that will keep you from freezing. Using a cabernet sauvignon, they add in cinnamon, star anise, cloves and orange to create a balance of flavour that isn't overpowering. What’s more, you can even ask for a couple of slices of ginger for an extra kick of heat that’s great for relieving any symptoms of a cold. Looking for a bite to eat to accompany your drink? We can't recommend the cheese sticks enough!
Find it: 993 Wuding Lu, near Jiaozhou Lu
武定路993号
Tel: 137 8892 3099
Opening hours: Daily, 12pm-2am
Price: ¥45/glass
This all-day dining American brasserie at Three on the Bund pays tribute to 1970s American pop culture with an understated vintage decor. Here, you can marvel at the great view from the terrace (on a good day . . . and if you can brave the cold) as you sip on a glass of their very own mulled wine. Made with the usual spices of cinnamon, star anise, cloves and zesty orange, this is where you’ll want to be to impress loved ones during the festive season. POP will be the first of the restaurant group to serve up this hot, spiced wine, while sister restaurants Mercato and Jean-Georges will begin closer to Christmas.
Find it: 7/F, 3 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Guangdong Lu
中山东一路3号7楼
Tel: 6321 0909
Opening hours: Daily, 11am-11pm
Price: ¥68/glass
Rooster is your friendly neighbourhood bar serving up everything from craft beers on tap to pulled pork sandwiches for a satisfying lunch. This winter, you can enjoy a glass of their mulled wine in the bustling venue too! Made using a base of Australian Shiraz, the wine is heated in a slow cooker along with cinnamon, star anise, white cardamom, orange peel, orange juice, apple slices and brown sugar, before being spiked with brandy. They never let it get to a simmer, but keep it nice and warm on the bar top to mull all day long.
Find it: 455 Shaanxi Bei Lu, near Beijing Xi Lu
陕西北路455号
Tel: 156 1880 8692
Opening hours:
Price: ¥45/glass
Tucked away in the heart of Tianzifang, Bohemia is an option for those who like to be in the midst of hustle and bustle. With narrow lanes and a plentitude of visitors surrounding the venue it makes for a great little rest stop as they offer an array of Western dishes and desserts, a decent selection of wine and beer on a historic street. Bohemia’s mulled wine is a real warming drink that’s made with the usual spices: star anise, cinnamon cloves, and a hint of orange that doesn’t overpower. But what surprised us the most was the splash of Captain Morgan’s rum that really added to the heat behind the drink.
Find it: Shop 42, Lane 248, Taikang Lu
泰康路248号42号店铺
Tel: 6415 0065
Opening hours: Sunday to Wednesday, 9am-10pm; Thursday to Saturday, 9am-late
Price: ¥50/glass
Attracting both young professionals and families, Blue Frog has several locations around town where you can stop by for happy hour or tuck into some great grub. Although a little too spiced with cinnamon, it was beautifully presented and definitely worth a taste!
Find it: Green Sports and Leisure Center, R3-633 Biyun Lu, near Yunshan Lu
浦东金桥碧云路633号1层R3
Tel: 5030 6426
Opening hours: 10am-11pm
Price: ¥50
Combining “art deco” themes and patterns of old Shanghai, Wanda Reign on the Bund is home to the all-day dining restaurant, Café Reign. During dinnertime, the whole family can dine on a semi-buffet beef feast cooked with meat sourced from all over the world. Aside from this, and a glorious dessert table of treats, you’ll also be able to warm up with some mulled wine during the Christmas period.
Find it: 1/F, Café Reign, Wanda Reign on the Bund
Tel: For reservations, please call 5368 8882.
Opening hours: 5:30pm-10pm
Price: ¥
Created by husband and wife team, Jim Sweeney and Muna Li, Geneva is the sister restaurant to Shanghai's Abbey Road. Located within the walls of a 100-year-old Shanghai villa, Geneva is a great place for business meetings, casual dinners or Sunday brunch with the family. This winter, they'll be serving up some hot Glüwein to keep you warm! Their hot, spiced wine will be available to drink-in or take-out at 45/glass or 288/2 liter jug.
Find it: 112, Jinbang Lu, near Fuquan Lu
Tel: 5239 9197
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 11am-late; Saturday to Sunday, 10am-late.
Price: Drink-in or take-out, ¥45/glass or ¥288/two liter jug.
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