Bars In China Swap Party Drinks For Prescription Cocktails In Punk Wellness Trend

In a new trend emerging across China, young people are exploring a different kind of nightlife experience, where traditional drinks are being replaced with herbal-based cocktails inspired by traditional Chinese medicine, reported the South China Morning Post.

A New Kind Of Nightlife

Instead of regular cocktails, some young Chinese are now visiting TCM-themed bars. In these dimly lit venues, music such as R&B or rock plays in the background, while bars are filled with drawers of herbs instead of bottles.

Bartenders, usually dressed in white coats and trained in traditional Chinese medicine, first check customers' pulses and gather information about their lifestyles, then create a specially tailored herbal drink.

A Booming Trend In Cities

This unique combination of traditional Chinese medicine and nightlife has become increasingly popular in China's major cities since late last year and is now spreading to other urban areas.

Specialty Herbal Drinks

Joychic Bar in Nanjing offers a gin-based drink called "Meng Po Soup," which is believed to help people process memories of past relationships. 

The drink is named after a character from Chinese mythology associated with memory and is infused with bitter herbs such as wormwood, violet, and wild ginger flowers.

On the other hand, Room of Requirement Bar in Guangzhou offers a more personalised experience. Here, bartender Kiki prepares drinks tailored to customers' needs by checking their pulse and tongue.

According to one customer, she was given a cocktail made with rose, longan, and motherwort after it was found that she had a cold body. These ingredients are believed to improve blood circulation and help balance the body's energy.

A Fusion Of Tradition And Modernity

Staff at these bars also explain the traditional medical principles behind each drink and demonstrate the herbs used.

A popular drink called "Night Hercules Soup" combines bourbon with mountain lotus root, goji, and eucommia. These herbs are believed to strengthen the liver and boost energy, especially for those who stay up late at night.

The recipe for this drink is said to be inspired by a traditional medical book from the Song Dynasty.

At another TCM-themed bar in Hangzhou, an expert spends some time with each customer, checking their pulse and asking about their daily routine to create a drink that's tailored to them.

This growing trend demonstrates how traditional methods are being combined with modern lifestyles to create a new and engaging experience.