If you’re curious about trying something new and exciting, it’s time to explore baijiu cocktails! Baijiu is a traditional Chinese spirit made from fermented grains like sorghum, rice, or barley. It’s known for its bold aroma and sometimes fruity, sometimes floral, and always unique.
While baijiu is often enjoyed straight in China, it’s now becoming a global trend in creative cocktail making. The good news? You don’t have to be a pro mixologist to enjoy it! Here are 8 easy baijiu cocktail recipes you can try tonight.
What Is Baijiu?
Baijiu is a traditional Chinese distilled spirit that holds the title of being the most-consumed liquor in the world — even more than vodka or whiskey! Made primarily from grains like sorghum, rice, wheat, or barley, baijiu is known for its high alcohol content (typically 35–60%) and distinct, complex flavor that ranges from fruity and floral to earthy and savory, depending on the type and fermentation process.
Wondering how to drink baijiu? Traditionally, it’s sipped neat during celebrations, banquets, and festivals as a sign of respect and togetherness. However, this unique spirit is now gaining global popularity as a key ingredient in creative cocktails, blending the deep flavors of Chinese heritage with modern mixology.
8 Baijiu Cocktail Recipes
Ready to shake things up and explore new flavors? Here are eight baijiu cocktail recipes that are fun, easy to make, and perfect for introducing this bold Chinese spirit into your drink menu tonight.
1. The Last Emperor
The Last Emperor is an elegant and aromatic cocktail that blends the earthy taste of oolong tea with the sweetness of umeshu and pineapple juice. To make it, you’ll first infuse light-aroma baijiu with oolong tea leaves, letting it sit for several hours until the flavor is just right.
Once the infusion is ready, shake 1½ ounces of it with umeshu, lime juice, pineapple juice, simple syrup, and a bit of egg white or aquafaba for a velvety texture. Shake twice to get that perfect foam.
Strain it into a coupe glass and garnish with a dehydrated pineapple slice. The result? A tropical, creamy drink with a gentle tea aroma that’s both classy and easy to sip.
2. Perpetual Motion
If you love fruity and refreshing cocktails, Perpetual Motion is a must-try. This drink combines strong-aroma baijiu with St-Germain (an elderflower liqueur) and a homemade blood orange purée that adds a beautiful color and zesty sweetness.
Blend the blood orange with a bit of simple syrup and water until smooth. Then, muddle some fresh mint in a shaker, add the baijiu, St-Germain, and a spoonful of your purée.
Shake with ice, pour it over a couple of large ice cubes, and garnish with mint. It’s bright, citrusy, and floral that even first-time baijiu drinkers will love.
3. Baijiu Chuhai
This is a fun, fizzy drink inspired by Japanese highballs. The Baijiu Chuhai mixes barley shochu, Calpico (a Japanese yogurt soda), Midori melon liqueur, and a splash of strong-aroma baijiu for a unique East Asian twist.
Add lemon juice for brightness and top it with soda water for that perfect bubbly finish. Garnish with fresh mint leaves to enhance the aroma.
The result is a smooth, creamy, and slightly tangy cocktail that’s easy to enjoy — ideal for warm evenings or casual hangouts.
4. Green Goblin
The Green Goblin is not as scary as it sounds. Start by infusing hot water with Thai basil leaves, then mix the liquid with sugar to make the syrup.
In your shaker, muddle fresh basil with some of that syrup until you get a rich green base. Add rye whiskey, lime juice, light-aroma baijiu, and a small amount of absinthe for a subtle anise kick.
Shake well, strain into a glass over ice, and garnish with a lemon peel. This cocktail is full of character — herbal, spicy, and slightly smoky, with a smooth finish that keeps you coming back for more.
5. Little Radish
Here’s one for the adventurous drinker! The Little Radish combines sweet, savory, and tangy notes in the most unexpected way. Muddle orgeat syrup (almond-based), XO sauce (yes, the savory seafood kind!), and cherry tomatoes together in a shaker.
Add strong-aroma baijiu, lemon juice, and basil leaves, then shake it all with ice. Strain into a rocks glass over a large cube and garnish with more basil.
This cocktail might sound unusual, but the mix of sweet almond, umami XO, and tangy tomato creates a deep, layered flavor that perfectly complements the boldness of baijiu.
6. Baijiu Martini
If you’re a fan of classic cocktails with a twist, the Baijiu Martini is a sleek and simple option. Mix gin, strong-aroma baijiu, blanc vermouth, and a few dashes of peach bitters in a shaker with ice.
Shake until chilled, strain into a coupe glass, and finish with a few drops of Sichuan chili oil on top for a spicy aroma. It’s sophisticated and modern — the baijiu adds depth to the gin, while the chili oil gives it a daring kick. Perfect for when you want something elegant yet bold.
7. VB&T
VB&T (short for Vermouth, Baijiu, and Tonic) is a refreshing, citrusy cocktail that’s perfect for sunny afternoons. Combine strong-aroma baijiu, sweet Italian vermouth, lemon juice, simple syrup, and a few dashes of Angostura and orange bitters in a highball glass filled with crushed ice.
Stir gently, top with tonic water, and garnish with an orange peel. The result is a lively, sparkling cocktail with sweet, bitter, and citrusy notes that blend beautifully with the aroma of baijiu. It’s easy, fun, and endlessly drinkable.
8. Start of Summer
Just like its name, this drink captures the refreshing and vibrant feeling of summertime. Blend orange juice, rhum agricole, lime juice, strong-aroma baijiu, simple syrup, and a splash of maraschino liqueur with crushed ice until slushy.
Pour it into a chilled glass and garnish with a mint sprig. It’s the kind of drink that transports you straight to a tropical beach. The baijiu adds depth and warmth, balancing the citrus sweetness with a subtle complexity that lingers after every sip.
If you would love to try these cocktails, here are our top recommendations of baijiu:
- Shui Jing Fang Wellbay - 500ml
- Luzhou Laojiao Zisha Daqu 500ml
- Langjiu - Shunpin Lang - 700ml
- Yanghe - Hai Zhi Lan Ocean Blue - 480ml
- Ming River 750ml
Mix Up Your Night with Baijiu Cocktails!
Baijiu might seem bold at first, but once you start experimenting, you’ll see how versatile and exciting it can be. These baijiu cocktails are beginner-friendly and full of flavor, giving you a fun way to explore one of the world’s most unique spirits. So grab your shaker, mix one up tonight, and toast to something new!
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Each bottle is chosen for its smooth, balanced flavor and genuine quality, making it easy to enjoy whether you sip it neat or mix it into cocktails. Skip the guesswork and order your favorite baijiu and other fine alcoholic drinks today, exclusively at Minuman.com!
