San Francisco’s iconic China Live complex is the home to a unique Old Shanghai-style bar, Cold Drinks. With its gold piano ceiling, rich stonework, and comfortable lounge furniture, Cold Drinks is a destination bar; a place to dress sharp, sit down, and enjoy a delicious cocktail with relaxing music and luxurious appetizers. In this episode of The Muddler Podcast, our host TJ Bonaventura sits with China Live’s founders, Cindy and George Chen, and lead mixologist Yong Zhu, to talk about how this James Bond-style bar came to be, from the decoration to the Scotch centric menu. Tune in and learn how Cold Drinks brings class and comfort to San Francisco’s Chinatown. 

Jump straight into:

(02:24) - Blade Runner with a touch of James Bond: A classy scotch-centric bar inspired by the romantic gangster, movie star, and writer’s Shanghai of the 1920s. 

(08.13) - Yong Zhu and the Peking Duck Fat-Washed Old Fashioned: How to blend Scotch Whiskey into a whole range of delicious staple cocktails. 

(12:58) - How Cold Drink responded to the pandemic: Holding on with a select group of people and developing a quality to-go cocktail menu.

(23:26) - From the concept to the menu: The process behind creating classic drinks with a Chinese twist of style and substance. 

(31:10) - The most unique Cold Drinks cocktails: Trying the Silk Degrees and the Sometimes Old Fashioned.

(34:59) - Hey, you don't work here!: The craziest story that ever happened at Cold Drinks. 

Episode resources

Golden Rule Spirits

Cold Drinks | China Live

Cold Drinks | Instagram 

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The Muddler is a StudioPod Media original podcast produced by TJ Bonaventura. Our writer is Joey Mezzatesta. Editing and music provided by Nodalab.