6 Baijiu Cocktails To Try This World Baijiu Day

Baijiu has been pleasing taste buds for almost a thousand years, and finally, this audacious Chinese spirit is getting the limelight it truly deserves. With World Baijiu Day in August, we thought of suggesting some Baiju cocktail ideas that swap your common spirits for bold baijiu. It’s unapologetically robust, on the face, and versatile enough to elevate your cocktail game. Get sipping and swirling and hop onto this baijiu-tiful journey.

6 Baijiu Cocktails To Try This World Baijiu Day

1. Baijiu Scotty Toddy
2. Baijiu Tom Yum
3. Pineapple smash
4. Born on the baijiu
5. Bittersweet Boomerang
6. Cereal killer

Baijiu Scotty Toddy

The Hot Toddy is a classic favorite to have on a cold, lazy day. The Hot Toddy never goes out of trend, so we thought of introducing you to a version that brings you the strong flavors of baijiu. The bitter, strong flavor of the baijiu is toned down perfectly by the comparatively sweeter whiskey, lemon juice, and honey. It’s warmly comforting to have this drink on days when getting up from bed feels like a mammoth task, or just when it’s raining cats and dogs. Note it down!

Ingredients

• 1 oz of strong-aroma baijiu
• 1 oz of scotch whiskey
• ½ oz of lemon juice
• ¾ oz of honey
• 2 dashes of Angostura bitters

Instructions

1. In a mug, combine baijiu, whiskey, lemon juice, and honey.
2. Stir well to mix the ingredients.
3. Now, pour hot water into the mixture.
4. Add the bitters and stir well.

Also Read: 6 Hot Cocktails To Try When It’s Raining Cats And Dogs

Baijiu Tom-Yum

This drink is a spin on the classic Thai Tom-Yum. The authentic sweet and spicy flavors of a Tom-Yum remain while you get acquainted with unexpected baijiu. Don’t worry, the results won’t disappoint you. Oh, and did you notice its beautiful dark violet color? How can a cocktail be delicious and beautiful both at the same time? We don’t know, maybe ask about this ‘Yum’ drink.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ oz of butterfly pea flower-infused baijiu
• ¾ oz of Tom-Yum syrup
• ¾ oz of lemon juice
• Sparkling wine to top
• Absinthe to coat
• Lemon peel to garnish
• Basil leaves to garnish

To make Tom-Yum Syrup

• 8-12 kaffir leaves
• 3 sprig lemongrass, smashed
• 5-7 slices of garangal
• 5 Thai chillies, smashed

Instructions

• To make Butterfly pea flower-infused baijiu: Add 5-7 dehydrated butterfly pea flowers into a bottle of baijiu. Let it sit for at least 6 hours, with a maximum of 24 hours. Strain into another container afterwards.
• To make Tom-Yum Syrup: Combine the ingredients in a pot, and add water and sugar. Bring it to a gentle simmer for about 15 minutes. Once syrupy consistency is achieved, leave it at room temperature for about 22-24 hours. Strain the liquid and it can easily be stored for about two to three weeks.
• To make Tom-Yum Baijiu Martini:

1. Coat a Collins glass with absinthe. Pour out excess absinthe and make sure that the inner surface of the glass is evenly wetted by absinthe.
2. Combine lemon juice and Tom-Yum syrup. Then, add ice.
3. Pour baijiu into the glass.
4. Top it off with sparkling wine.
5. Garnish with a lemon peel and basil leaves.

Pineapple Smash

The Pineapple Smash is a refreshing one in a slew of baijiu cocktails. It combines all the different refreshing ingredients that you could imagine – be it lime juice, basil leaves, or pineapple. Sipping away at this simple baijiu drink will take you on a serene walk along the beaches of China, and you wish to not return to reality. Sadly, you’d have to return to reality to make this recipe and try it out yourself. The Pineapple Smash is truly a smashing, and rejuvenating cocktail – we can guarantee that!

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz of baijiu
• 1 oz of lime juice
• ½ oz of agave syrup
• 8-10 basil leaves
• 1 pineapple slice

Instructions:

1. In a cocktail shaker, add the pineapple slice, and basil leaves.
2. Muddle them nicely.
3. Add the rest of the ingredients, and add ice.
4. Shake it up!
5. In a cocktail glass filled with ice, pour the contents of the cocktail shaker and enjoy!

Also Read: Your Guide To Michelada This National Michelada Day

Born On The Baijiu

The peppy 70s gave us one of the most iconic bands of all time in the form of Creedence. Their famous Born On The Bayou is what gave this drink its peculiar, yet interesting name. The Born On The Baijiu combines rare, unexpected flavors to create a concoction that’d only reinstate your cre(e)dence into the fact that baijiu cocktails can be delicious (if you didn’t believe it in the first place).

Ingredients:

• 1 oz of baijiu
• 1 oz of elderflower liqueur
• 1 ½ of grapefruit juice
• 4 dashes of celery bitters
• 5 drops of saline
• Celery slices brined in salt to garnish

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker. 
2. Shake it well, vigorously.
3. Strain the contents into a cocktail glass filled with ice.
4. Garnish the cocktail with celery slices brined in salt water. Born On The Baijiu is born to be served, quite literally!

Bittersweet Boomerang

A boomerang might end up hitting you if you don’t catch it on time. This Boomerang, true to its name, hits you, but right in your taste buds! This classic rye cocktail gets a baijiu upgrade that we wish happened sooner. Why, you may ask? We recommend tasting it yourself. The Bittersweet Boomerang easily ranks high up in some of the best baijiu cocktails out there.

Ingredients:

• 1.2 oz of baijiu
• ⅓ oz of Cynar (an Italian bitter apéritif of the Amaro variety)
• ½ oz of yellow Chartreuse
• ½ oz of crème de cacao

Instructions:

1. In a container, add all ingredients, and ice, and stir well.
2. Serve the drink on the rocks.
3. Garnish with a lemon twist and you’re all set to enjoy!

Cereal Killer

If you are obsessed with cereals, and killers – pardon, we meant killer baijiu cocktails, this drink is right up your alley. The refreshing, and nostalgic drink is just as delicious as appealing. After all, which adult wouldn’t love a cocktail exquisitely decorated with edible pebbles and whipped cream? This is what we are using our adult money for, and we mean it ‘cereaously’!

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz fruity-pebble-infused baijiu
• ½ oz blackberry syrup
• ½ oz Giffard cacao
• ¼ oz Lemon orange cordial
• 1 scoop vanilla ice cream

Instructions: 

To make fruity-pebble-infused baijiu:

1. In a container, combine 10 oz of baijiu with 45-50g of fruity pebbles.
2. Refrigerate overnight.
3. Strain through a coffee filter to remove unwanted solid particles.

To make fruit pebble-infused baijiu:

1. In a blender, combine baijiu, Giffard cacao, vanilla ice cream, and ice. Blend well.
2. Now, pour the mixture into a glass.
3. Add blackberry syrup and lemon orange cordial to the glass.
4. Top it off with a generous dollop of whipped cream and fruity pebbles.

Summing Up!

Baijiu might seem like a tough player to play with, but this list of creative, lip-smacking cocktails says otherwise. Whether you’re crafting a classic baijiu cocktail or inventing your daring concoction, remember, it’s all about celebrating the rich cultural heritage behind each sip. So, grab your shakers, and a bottle of baijiu and celebrate this World Baijiu Day by trying your hand at these baijiu cocktails. 

FAQs

What Is Baijiu?

Baijiu is a strong distilled spirit from China, traditionally made from grains like sorghum, rice, wheat, or corn. It’s known for its potent aroma and high alcohol content, typically ranging from 40% to 60% ABV.

Can Baijiu Be Used In Place Of Other Spirits In Cocktails?

Certainly! Baijiu’s versatility extends to substituting traditional spirits like vodka, gin, or rum in cocktails, infusing them with its distinct flavor to create exotic variations on classic recipes or inspiring entirely new concoctions.

Where Can I Buy Baijiu?

Baijiu can be purchased at speciality liquor stores, online retailers, and sometimes at Asian markets or supermarkets with a diverse liquor selection. It’s increasingly available in major cities globally due to growing interest in Chinese spirits.

What Does Baijiu Taste Like?

Baijiu flavors vary widely depending on the type and production methods but often include notes of grains, fruits, herbs, and sometimes a slight sweetness or umami character. It’s known for its complexity and depth of flavor.

How Should Baijiu Be Served?

Baijiu is typically enjoyed neat or with a splash of water at room temperature. However, it can also be chilled or used in cocktails where its robust flavors can shine through. In China, there is a dedicated etiquette to drink baijiu.

Why Is Tom-Yum Called Tom-Yum?

Originating in Thailand, the name “Tom Yam” translates to “boiling” or “hot”. The Tom-Yum soup also derives its name from the same word.

Is Hot Toddy Good For Health?

A Hot Toddy is a comforting beverage that may provide relief from cold symptoms, similar to a bowl of soup or a steaming cup of tea. While it can soothe and hydrate, its healing benefits are primarily due to its comforting nature rather than any specific medicinal properties.

Are Galangal And Ginger The Same?

Despite their similar appearances, ginger and galangal are two different spices, differentiated by the way they taste.