M18

Last week on The Bund, M18 launched a new range of 'anti-ageing' cocktails, claiming to be the 'only place in Asia with doctor-approved rejuvenating drinks'. The launch was held on their signature Electro Swing night with a live-sax player and some jauntily-dressed swing dancers wowing the crowd.

The anti-ageing drinks come in an abundance of shapes and colours, and there is no doubt they are pushing the healthy angle, with one cocktail being served in a red pepper, and others being heavily garnished with berries and lavender.

The doctor-approved cocktails make use of high-end spirits and incorporate anti-ageing ingredients including collagen, matcha tea and spirulina. A number of super foods, like acai berries and pomegranates, are also thrown into the colourful mixes. Doctors were on hand at the launch to explain the science behind the booze, but also to subtly advise that while the drinks are healthier than most, overindulging is sadly not advised.

The Therapy cocktail (90RMB) is a highlight, mixing tart grapefruit and citrus fruits with brown sugar and topping things off with Perrier-Jouet. While the brown sugar does not seem like the healthiest addition, we accept this drink for what it is, delicious. The healthier take on the classic mojito, named the Skin Prestige (90RMB), is born from a mix of Bacardi, agave, fresh mint, lime and the slightly bitter goji berry.

For those who need a little more sustenance than the fruity garnishes on the cocktails can provide, the lounge also offers hot and cold dishes such as a juicy beef tartare with chips (70RMB), a refreshing king fish cerviche (65RMB) and a light and fragrant steamed seabass in banana leaf (90RMB).

While the cocktails didn't seem to produce any immediate visual evidence of increased youthfulness, the knowledge that the bar is using high-end spirits and quality ingredients certainly allows for some guilt free indulgence.

M18 is at Fourth Floor, 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Nanjing Dong Lu, Huangpu district.