MO Bar at Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing, Beijing, has launched its seventh original cocktail menu, drawing inspiration from the capital's history, food traditions and contemporary urban life.
Titled "Beijing • Unfolded", the menu features eight cocktails inspired by landmarks and neighborhoods ranging from the Forbidden City, Lama Temple to the traditional hutong, Yuyuantan Park, Sanlitun, Niujie, Workers' Stadium and the 798 Art District. Drawing on the bartending team's personal experiences of the city, each creation reinterprets local flavors and cultural references through a contemporary lens.
The menu pairs spirits with ingredients rooted in Chinese cuisine and tradition. Forbidden Harvest mixes rum with taro, mango and purple sweet potato, bringing together ingredients from different regions of China while evoking the cultural symbolism of the former imperial palace.
The Prayer combines bourbon and mezcal with pomelo blossom oolong tea, Chinese crabapple and apricot. Milk clarification technique gives the drink a clear appearance, while its smoky notes evoke the incense burned during religious rituals at Lama Temple.
Hutong Tales combines aged rum with jasmine tea, pandan, fig and pineapple, capturing the character of everyday life in Beijing's traditional alleyways. Copper Fever, inspired by the hotpot culture of Niujie, takes a savory approach, mixing baijiu with sesame paste, grapefruit, onion and white wine vinegar.
Other drinks reflect the city's contemporary energy. A La Mode takes inspiration from Sanlitun's fashion and nightlife, while One More Round evokes the convivial atmosphere surrounding Workers' Stadium. Monday Off, inspired by the 798 Art District, offers two flavor options within a single cocktail concept.
Alongside the eight new creations, the menu revives four cocktails from previous editions and introduces a selection of frozen drinks. Two non-alcoholic creations inspired by Chinese culture join the expanded beverage list, which also features Chinese wines and baijiu.
The launch coincides with an updated Heritage Bites menu, which brings together Eastern and Western culinary influences.
