One hot martini

Bartenders at the hip Peacock Alley lounge in Beijing's Waldorf Astoria hotel are seeing red this month, thanks to February's signature cocktail, the Watermelon-Chili Martini. The drink is a mix of vodka, watermelon juice and chili, with a chili garnish and orange for muddle. The martini is 88 yuan ($13.50), part of the "Eat Drink Hilton" campaign by the Hilton chain's Beijing properties; each month for 12 months the program focuses on one seasonal core ingredient. Peacock Alley specializes in classic New York cocktails such as martinis, cosmopolitans, Manhattans and all variations that were created in the vibrant bar scene of New York in the early 20th century.

5-15 Jinyu Hutong, Dongcheng district, Beijing. 010-8520-8989.

China Daily