{"id":4990,"date":"2023-01-18T14:31:33","date_gmt":"2023-01-18T13:31:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/test.themixer.com\/en-uk\/?p=4990"},"modified":"2026-02-13T13:33:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T12:33:11","slug":"chinese-cocktails","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.themixer.com\/en-uk\/plan\/chinese-cocktails\/","title":{"rendered":"20 Chinese Cocktails to Celebrate the Chinese New Year in Style"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chinese cocktails<\/span>\u00a0are drinks inspired by Chinese flavours and ingredients such as lychee, tea, ginger, citrus, and baijiu. They blend traditional Chinese elements with modern mixology techniques and are popular for Lunar New Year, dinner parties, and Asian-inspired entertaining.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are Chinese cocktails?<\/h2>\n

\"Two<\/p>\n

Chinese-inspired cocktails sit between heritage and modern bar culture. They are not traditional Chinese drinks in the historic sense, but contemporary cocktails that draw inspiration from Chinese flavours, symbolism, and ingredients.\u00a0<\/span>Traditionally, Chinese drinking culture\u00a0has kept\u00a0it simple:\u00a0baijiu or rice wine, poured neat and shared at the table.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Today\u2019s Chinese-inspired cocktails take those ideas and reinterpret them through a modern lens. Colour plays a role. So does balance. Red is linked to luck, jade green to prosperity, while fruits like peach and lychee carry their own meaning. In the UK, these cocktails are often\u00a0enjoyed\u00a0at Chinese restaurants, banquets, and themed dinner parties, where familiar flavours meet creative presentation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Traditional Chinese spirits used in cocktails<\/h2>\n

\"Close-up<\/p>\n

Baijiu<\/span><\/b>\u00a0is the most important traditional Chinese spirit and one that many UK drinkers are still getting to know.\u00a0It\u2019s a grain alcohol\u00a0that\u2019s\u00a0highly aromatic and expressive, with regional styles that range from floral and fruity to rich and savoury. In cocktails, baijiu brings intensity and structure, pairing well with citrus, stone fruit, spice, and tea.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rice wine<\/span><\/b>, also known as\u00a0<\/span>huangjiu<\/span><\/b>, is gentler and lower in alcohol. It has a softly sweet, umami-leaning profile that works well in lighter cocktails, especially those built around ginger, fruit, or tea. Used carefully, it adds depth without dominating the drink.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Key flavours that define Chinese-inspired cocktails<\/h2>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Certain flavours define Chinese-inspired cocktails, particularly those found across UK Chinese restaurants.\u00a0<\/span>Lychee<\/span><\/b>\u00a0adds floral sweetness and pairs easily with vodka or gin.\u00a0<\/span>Tea<\/span><\/b>, including jasmine, oolong, and green tea, brings aroma and gentle tannin.\u00a0<\/span>Ginger<\/span><\/b>\u00a0contributes warmth and bite, especially when used fresh.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Citrus<\/span><\/b>, including blood orange, sharpens and balances richer notes.\u00a0<\/span>Sesame<\/span><\/b>\u00a0introduces nutty depth in spirit-forward serves.\u00a0<\/span>Stone fruits<\/span><\/b>\u00a0like cherry and peach round things out with soft sweetness and familiar symbolism tied to celebration and abundance.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tea-based Chinese cocktails<\/h2>\n

1. Chit-Cha Toddy<\/h3>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

SWEET | Ideal for:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0Fireside gatherings<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Created with Chinese New Year in mind, these\u00a0warming\u00a0<\/span>tea cocktails<\/span>\u00a0combine\u00a0bourbon, Cynar, honey, and ginger for a cosy sip\u00a0that\u2019s\u00a0perfect for cold-weather celebrations.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ingredients<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n