As the sophisticated, cocktail-sipping individual that we know you are, you know a good gin and tonic when you taste one, and you’re partial to a proper pour of whiskey. Being the China-dwelling crew that we are, however, being bilingual when ordering your poison is an obvious language skill level-up. Here’s how to get started!

Starting things off nice and easy, a gin and tonic (jīn tānglì, 金汤力) makes for an excellent summer beverage, though we won’t deny the appeal of a good rum and coke (lăngmŭ kělè, 朗姆可乐). If you’re a fan of the versatility of vodka (fútèjiājiŭ, 伏特加酒), pick your mixer in the form of tonic, soda (sūdă, 苏打), orange juice (chéngzhī, 橙汁) or Red Bull (hóngniú, 红牛).

You know you’re in Asia when whiskey green tea (wēishìjì lűchá, 威士忌绿茶) is a common favorite. Go for the green, or stick to a JD Coke (jiékè dān ní jiāo, 杰克丹尼焦) or whiskey dry (wēishìjì gānjiāngshuĭ, 威士忌干姜水). Some like their whiskey with a dash of water, but you already know that one.

If you’re down for tequila shots, you wild and insatiable thing, ask for lóngshélánjiŭ, (龙舌兰酒) and let the party (and the impending regret) begin.

Useful Words:

Gin: jinjiŭ, 金酒

Rum: lăngmŭjiŭ, 朗姆酒

Vodka: fútèjiājiŭ, 伏特加酒

Whiskey: wēishìjì, 威士忌

Tequila: lóngshélánjiŭ, 龙舌兰酒

If you want your whiskey straight up, ask for (wēishìjì bù yào bīng, 威士忌不要冰) and if you want it chilled, ask for it on the rocks (wēishìjì jiā bīng, 威士忌加冰). Bad day at the office? Go all out with a double (shuāngfèn, 双份) and find your spot at the bar.

Surely one of the first words anyone who lands in Beijing learns is beer (píjiŭ, 啤酒), but it’s wise to get familiar with what’s beyond your average draft beer (zhāpí, 扎啤). If Irish eyes be smilin’ on ye, go for a perfect pint of Guinness (Jínísī, 吉尼斯) or your favorite stout (shìtāo hēi píjiŭ, 世涛黑啤酒).

We’re inclined to an amber ale (hŭpò ài’ěr, 琥珀艾尔) every now and again, but nothing says yes to daytime drinking like a frosty cider (píngguŏ jiŭ, 苹果酒) on a Sunday afternoon.

Enjoy the evening with a glass of red (红酒, hóng jiŭ) but be warned: Leaving the pútáo out of your white wine (bái pútáojiŭ, 白葡萄酒) might lead to a very different sort of drinking experience.

Useful Words:

Stout: shìtāo hēi píjiŭ,世涛黑啤酒

Ale: ài’ěr píjiŭ, 艾尔啤酒

Cider: píngguŏ jiŭ, 苹果酒

Red wine: hóng jiŭ, 红酒

White wine: bái pútáojiŭ, 白葡萄酒

Definitely not white wine: báijiŭ, 白酒

Because old is in. If you’re after Don Draper’s cocktail of choice, ask for an old fashioned (gŭdiăn, 古典). More of a Roger Sterling sort of guy? A vodka martini (fútèjiā mădìní, 伏特加马蒂尼) is what you seek. Keep it classy (or not) with a Manhattan (Mànhādùn, 曼哈顿), or shake things up with a delicious whiskey sour (wēishìjì suān, 威士忌酸).

Other useful Words:

Negroni: nígéluóní, 尼格罗尼

Dark and Stormy: hēi'àn fēngbào, 黑暗风暴

If light and breezy is how you do it, a Cosmopolitan (dàdūhuì, 大都会) on a Friday evening is a good place to start. Summer should always include a mojito (mòjítuō, 莫吉托) or margarita (măgélìtă, 玛格丽塔) on the rooftop bar of your choice.

If you like piña coladas (píníyà piāoxiāng, 皮尼亚飘香) and/or getting caught in the rain, look no further than Beijing’s hutongs, which are now rife with Tiki bars (and, during summer storms, terrible drainage).

Not your cup of tea? There’s always the last redeeming factor of brunch: Champagne (Xiāngbīnjiŭ, 香槟酒) and Bellinis (Bèilĭní, 贝里尼).

Source: Cityweekend

Starting things off nice and easy, a gin and tonic (jīn tānglì, 金汤力) makes for an excellent summer beverage, though we won’t deny the appeal of a good rum and coke (lăngmŭ kělè, 朗姆可乐). If you’re a fan of the versatility of vodka (fútèjiājiŭ, 伏特加酒), pick your mixer in the form of tonic, soda (sūdă, 苏打), orange juice (chéngzhī, 橙汁) or Red Bull (hóngniú, 红牛).

You know you’re in Asia when whiskey green tea (wēishìjì lűchá, 威士忌绿茶) is a common favorite. Go for the green, or stick to a JD Coke (jiékè dān ní jiāo, 杰克丹尼焦) or whiskey dry (wēishìjì gānjiāngshuĭ, 威士忌干姜水). Some like their whiskey with a dash of water, but you already know that one.

If you’re down for tequila shots, you wild and insatiable thing, ask for lóngshélánjiŭ, (龙舌兰酒) and let the party (and the impending regret) begin.

Useful Words:

Gin: jinjiŭ, 金酒

Rum: lăngmŭjiŭ, 朗姆酒

Vodka: fútèjiājiŭ, 伏特加酒

Whiskey: wēishìjì, 威士忌

Tequila: lóngshélánjiŭ, 龙舌兰酒

If you want your whiskey straight up, ask for (wēishìjì bù yào bīng, 威士忌不要冰) and if you want it chilled, ask for it on the rocks (wēishìjì jiā bīng, 威士忌加冰). Bad day at the office? Go all out with a double (shuāngfèn, 双份) and find your spot at the bar.

Surely one of the first words anyone who lands in Beijing learns is beer (píjiŭ, 啤酒), but it’s wise to get familiar with what’s beyond your average draft beer (zhāpí, 扎啤). If Irish eyes be smilin’ on ye, go for a perfect pint of Guinness (Jínísī, 吉尼斯) or your favorite stout (shìtāo hēi píjiŭ, 世涛黑啤酒).

We’re inclined to an amber ale (hŭpò ài’ěr, 琥珀艾尔) every now and again, but nothing says yes to daytime drinking like a frosty cider (píngguŏ jiŭ, 苹果酒) on a Sunday afternoon.

Enjoy the evening with a glass of red (红酒, hóng jiŭ) but be warned: Leaving the pútáo out of your white wine (bái pútáojiŭ, 白葡萄酒) might lead to a very different sort of drinking experience.

Useful Words:

Stout: shìtāo hēi píjiŭ,世涛黑啤酒

Ale: ài’ěr píjiŭ, 艾尔啤酒

Cider: píngguŏ jiŭ, 苹果酒

Red wine: hóng jiŭ, 红酒

White wine: bái pútáojiŭ, 白葡萄酒

Definitely not white wine: báijiŭ, 白酒

Because old is in. If you’re after Don Draper’s cocktail of choice, ask for an old fashioned (gŭdiăn, 古典). More of a Roger Sterling sort of guy? A vodka martini (fútèjiā mădìní, 伏特加马蒂尼) is what you seek. Keep it classy (or not) with a Manhattan (Mànhādùn, 曼哈顿), or shake things up with a delicious whiskey sour (wēishìjì suān, 威士忌酸).

Other useful Words:

Negroni: nígéluóní, 尼格罗尼

Dark and Stormy: hēi'àn fēngbào, 黑暗风暴

If light and breezy is how you do it, a Cosmopolitan (dàdūhuì, 大都会) on a Friday evening is a good place to start. Summer should always include a mojito (mòjítuō, 莫吉托) or margarita (măgélìtă, 玛格丽塔) on the rooftop bar of your choice.

If you like piña coladas (píníyà piāoxiāng, 皮尼亚飘香) and/or getting caught in the rain, look no further than Beijing’s hutongs, which are now rife with Tiki bars (and, during summer storms, terrible drainage).

Not your cup of tea? There’s always the last redeeming factor of brunch: Champagne (Xiāngbīnjiŭ, 香槟酒) and Bellinis (Bèilĭní, 贝里尼).

Source: Cityweekend