20 Chinese Cocktails to Celebrate the Chinese New Year in Style

Chinese cocktails are 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.  

What are Chinese cocktails?

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. Traditionally, Chinese drinking culture has kept it simple: baijiu or rice wine, poured neat and shared at the table. 

Today’s 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 enjoyed at Chinese restaurants, banquets, and themed dinner parties, where familiar flavours meet creative presentation. 

Traditional Chinese spirits used in cocktails

Baijiu is the most important traditional Chinese spirit and one that many UK drinkers are still getting to know. It’s a grain alcohol that’s highly 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. 

Rice wine, also known as huangjiu, 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. 

Key flavours that define Chinese-inspired cocktails

Certain flavours define Chinese-inspired cocktails, particularly those found across UK Chinese restaurants. Lychee adds floral sweetness and pairs easily with vodka or gin. Tea, including jasmine, oolong, and green tea, brings aroma and gentle tannin. Ginger contributes warmth and bite, especially when used fresh. 

Citrus, including blood orange, sharpens and balances richer notes. Sesame introduces nutty depth in spirit-forward serves. Stone fruits like cherry and peach round things out with soft sweetness and familiar symbolism tied to celebration and abundance. 

Tea-based Chinese cocktails

1. Chit-Cha Toddy

SWEET | Ideal for: Fireside gatherings 

Created with Chinese New Year in mind, these warming tea cocktails combine bourbon, Cynar, honey, and ginger for a cosy sip that’s perfect for cold-weather celebrations. 

Ingredients 

• 20 ml Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon (opens in new window) 

• 10 ml Cynar (opens in new window) 

• 10 ml Ginger sugar syrup 

• 10 ml Lemon juice (fresh) 

• 10 ml Honey 

• 120 ml Hot Oolong tea 

• Lemon slice (to garnish) 

Method 

1. Add bourbon, Cynar, ginger syrup, lemon juice, honey, and hot tea to a serving cup 
2. Stir gently to combine 
3. Garnish with a lemon slice 
4. Serve 

So soothing: The Hot Toddy Cocktail (opens in new window)   

Learn more: Tea-Infused Cocktails (10 Elegant Recipes to Try) 

2. Gunfire  

BOLD | Ideal for: After-dinner wind-downs 

Once a military tradition, Gunfire is now a simple, warming cocktail that’s perfect for Chinese New Year gatherings. This recipe combines black tea and dark rum for a cosy serve with optional spiced garnish. 

Ingredients 

• 30 ml Appleton Estate Rum 

• 90 ml Chinese black tea (brewed, hot) 

• Star anise (to garnish, optional) 

Method 

1. Warm a serving glass or cup 
2. Add rum and pour in hot tea 
3. Stir gently to combine 
4. Garnish with star anise if desired 
5. Serve 

Love tea? Try these!  Easy Tea Cocktails for Chilled Celebrations 

Fruity & floral Chinese cocktails

3. Lychee Martini

FRUITY | Ideal for: Cocktail-hour gatherings 

Light, fragrant, and delicately sweet, the Lychee Martini is built on a clean SKYY Vodka (opens in new window) base that lets the floral character of lychee take center stage. A splash of fresh lime keeps the profile of these lychee cocktails crisp and balanced. It’s an easy crowd-pleaser that suits both relaxed get-togethers and more elevated cocktail moments. 

4. Asian Pear  

FRUITY | Ideal for: Elegant dinner parties 

As graceful as a silk cocktail dress, these bougie baijiu cocktails incorporate pear and citrus to create a gorgeous drink that’s delicate, balanced, and refined from the first sip to last. 

Ingredients 

• 40 ml Baijiu  

• 10 ml Maraschino liqueur 

• 10 ml Pear liqueur 

• 60 ml White pear juice 

• 20 ml Lime juice (fresh) 

• 15 ml Agave syrup 

• Few dashes Bitters 

• Ice 

Method 

1. Add baijiu, maraschino liqueur, pear liqueur, pear juice, lime juice, agave syrup, and bitters to an ice-filled shaker 
2. Shake until well chilled 
3. Strain into a frosted glass 
4. Serve 

More pear inspo:  Say Cheers to Autumn with a Pear Martini (opens in new window) 

5. Peach Fizz

FRUITY | Ideal for: Festive toasts and celebratory moments 

In Chinese culture, peaches symbolise longevity and prosperity, and these Chinese-inspired cocktails make them the star. Sweet, tangy, and sparkling, they’re the perfect celebratory sip for Lunar New Year. 

Ingredients 

• 30 ml Peach schnapps 

• 30 ml SKYY Vodka (opens in new window) 

• 15 ml Peach nectar 

• 15 ml Lemon juice (fresh) 

• 15 ml Sugar syrup 

• Soda water (to top) 

• Sugar (to rim glass) 

• Peach slice or lemon wheel (to garnish) 

• Ice 

Method 

1. Rim a highball glass with sugar and set aside 
2. Add peach schnapps, vodka, peach nectar, lemon juice, and sugar syrup to an ice-filled shaker 
3. Shake until well chilled 
4. Pour into the prepared glass with ice 
5. Top with soda water and stir gently 
6. Garnish with a peach slice or lemon wheel 
7. Serve 

6. Cherry Moon  

SWEET | Ideal for: Casual get-togethers and relaxed celebrations 

Built on SKYY Infusions Cherry Vodka (opens in new window), the Cherry Moon is a playful, soda-topped cocktail that leans into bright cherry sweetness with a nostalgic twist. Lemon-lime soda keeps this Asian cocktail recipe light and easygoing, while a float of grenadine adds both colour and a touch of candy-like depth. It’s unfussy, fun, and designed for effortless sipping.  

7. Cherry Blossom

FRUITY | Ideal for: Spring brunches 

These modern Chinese cocktails bloom with springtime flair. The Cherry Blossom mixes sake, cherry liqueur, gin, and citrus into a delicate yet lively sip. 

Ingredients 

Serves 2 

• 45 ml Sake 

• 30 ml Cherry liqueur 

• 15 ml Bulldog Gin 

• 10 ml Grand Marnier 

• 10 ml Grenadine 

• 10 ml Lemon juice (fresh) 

• Fresh or brandied cherries (to garnish) 

• Ice 

Method 

1. Add sake, cherry liqueur, gin, Grand Marnier, grenadine, and lemon juice to a mixing glass with ice 
2. Stir until thoroughly chilled 
3. Strain into two chilled glasses 
4. Garnish with fresh or brandied cherries 
5. Serve 

Also see: Asian Cocktail Ingredients to Inspire Your Next Drink 

Spiced & symbolic cocktails

8. Green Dragon

With mint, herbs, and a hint of spice, the Green Dragon is a captivating Asian mixology marvel that layers crème de menthe, caraway liqueur, and bitters into a complex, aromatic sip. 

BOLD | Ideal for: Late-night cocktail sessions 

Ingredients 

• 60 ml Bulldog Gin (opens in new window) 

• 15 ml Crème de menthe 

• 10 ml Kummel (caraway liqueur) or Aquavit (substitute) 

• 10 ml Lemon juice (fresh) 

• Few dashes of peach bitters 

• 10 ml Chilled water 

• Lemon twist or mint sprig (to garnish) 

• Ice 

Method 

1. Add gin, crème de menthe, kummel (or aquavit), lemon juice, bitters, and water to an ice-filled shaker 
2. Shake until frosty 
3. Fine-strain into a chilled glass 
4. Garnish with a lemon twist or mint sprig 
5. Serve 

Bulldog Gin is a perfect fit for the Green Dragon cocktail thanks to its bold yet balanced flavour profile. With notes of juniper, citrus, and warm spice, it complements the fresh mint and caraway-forward liqueurs beautifully. Its smooth, versatile character allows the vibrant herbal and citrus elements of the drink to shine, creating a harmonious blend in every sip.

9. Firecracker  

SPICY | Ideal for: Garden parties 

A bold, zesty cocktail with a fiery kick, the Firecracker shakes rum, watermelon, citrus, and cayenne together for a serve that lives up to its name. 

Ingredients 

• 45 ml Appleton Estate Rum (opens in new window) 

• 15 ml Grand Marnier (opens in new window) 

• 15 ml Lime juice (fresh) 

• 15 ml Sugar syrup 

• 2 x 3-cm cubes watermelon (muddled) 

• Pinch or two of cayenne pepper 

• Lime wedge (to garnish, optional) 

• Ice 

Method 

1. Add watermelon cubes to a mixing glass and muddle well 
2. Add rum, Grand Marnier, lime juice, sugar syrup, cayenne, and ice 
3. Shake until well chilled 
4. Strain into a serving glass 
5. Garnish with a lime wedge if desired 
6. Serve 

10. Lion’s Tail

BOLD | Ideal for: Themed dinners  

Named after the bold Lion Dance of Chinese New Year parades, this Prohibition-era classic mixes bourbon, allspice, and lime into a drink with a spirited kick and loads of exotic cocktail flavours.  

Ingredients 

• 60 ml Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon 

• 10 ml Allspice liqueur 

• 10 ml Lime juice (fresh) 

• 1 tsp sugar syrup 

• 2 dashes Bitters 

• Orange twist (to express oils, discard) 

• Ice 

Method 

1. Add bourbon, allspice liqueur, lime juice, sugar syrup, and bitters to an ice-filled shaker 
2. Shake until well chilled 
3. Strain into a chilled serving glass 
4. Lightly express the oil from an orange twist over the drink, then discard the twist 
5. Serve 

11. Red Dragon

FRUITY | Ideal for: Pre-dinner aperitif moments 

Experience the fiery Red Dragon cocktail. Crafted with gin, Grand Marnier, fresh blood orange juice, lemon juice, and a touch of grenadine, it’s a vibrant and citrusy cultural cocktail that adds a pop of colour and fresh zesty flavours. And it’s easy to make! 

Spirit-forward & modern Chinese-inspired cocktails  

12. Sesame Old Fashioned

BOLD | Ideal for: Slow, contemplative nightcaps 

Ingredients 

For the infused whisky 

• 120 ml The Glen Grant Whisky (for infusion) 

• Handful of sesame seeds (dry-toasted, for infusion) 

For the cocktail 

• 60 ml Sesame-infused whisky 

• 15 ml Sugar syrup 

• 4 dashes Bitters 

• Orange twist (to garnish, optional) 

• Ice 

Method 

1. Dry-toast sesame seeds in a warm pan 
2. Add the seeds to the whisky and infuse for 1 hour, then strain 
3. Build sesame-infused whisky, sugar syrup, and bitters in a rocks glass over ice 
4. Stir gently 
5. Garnish with an orange twist if desired 
6. Serve 

13. Blood Orange Margarita 

FRUITY | Ideal for: Beginner-friendly entertaining 

Chinese cocktails are often deeply hued and quite dramatic, and the Blood Orange Margarita definitely plays in this space. Plus, red is supposed to be very lucky! This juicy tequila-based cocktail is packed with all the bittersweet flavours you could wish for, making it the perfect aperitif to serve to a crowd. It’s also a great cocktail for beginners ― you just add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker, give it a good shake, and pour.     

14. Baijiu Berry Sour

FRUITY | Ideal for: Experimental cocktail tastings 

This Chinese-inspired cocktail balances the bold kick of baijiu with lemon, raspberry, and herbal liqueur for a vibrant sour that’s striking and tangy. 

Ingredients 

• 40 ml Baijiu 

• 20 ml Lemon juice (fresh) 

• 20 ml Raspberry syrup 

• 10 ml Herbal liqueur 

• 15 ml Egg white 

• 3 Fresh raspberries (to garnish) 

• 1 Blackberry (to garnish) 

• Ice 

Method 

1. Add baijiu, lemon juice, raspberry syrup, herbal liqueur, egg white, and ice to a shaker 
2. Shake well until chilled and frothy 
3. Strain into a chilled coupe glass 
4. Garnish with three raspberries and one blackberry 
5. Serve 

15. China Blue

FRUITY | Ideal for: Colour-forward cocktail parties 

Sweet lychee and tangy pink grapefruit meet a splash of blue Curaçao in this eye-catching cocktail that’s as stunning in the glass as it is on the palate. 

Ingredients 

• 30 ml Lychee liqueur 

• 30 ml Blue Curaçao 

• 120 ml Pink grapefruit juice (freshly squeezed) 

• Orange slice (to garnish) 

• Ice 

Method 

1. Add lychee liqueur, blue Curaçao, and grapefruit juice to an ice-filled shaker 
2. Shake until well chilled 
3. Strain into a pre-chilled Collins glass over fresh ice 
4. Garnish with an orange slice 
5. Serve immediately 

16. Jade Cocktail

BOLD | Ideal for: Symbolic milestone celebrations 

Inspired by jade’s symbolism of prosperity and good fortune in Chinese culture, this elegant green serve pairs rum, citrus, and herbal notes into a bright, balanced tribute to the cherished stone. 

Ingredients 

• 60 ml Wray & Nephew White Rum (opens in new window) 

• 10 ml Green crème de menthe 

• 15 ml Grand Marnier 

• 15 ml Lime juice (fresh) 

• Lime wheel or mint sprig (to garnish) 

• Ice 

Method 

1. Add rum, crème de menthe, Grand Marnier, and lime juice to an ice-filled shaker 
2. Shake until well chilled 
3. Strain into a Martini glass 
4. Garnish with a lime wheel or mint sprig 
5. Serve 

17. Asian Ginger Cocktail

SPICY | Ideal for: Wintery cocktail hours 

Ginger, a symbol of warmth and vitality in Chinese traditions, shines in this aromatic ginger cocktail where its spice is balanced by smooth sake and crisp vodka. 

Ingredients 

• 75 ml Sake 

• 45 ml SKYY Vodka 

• 10 ml Rich sugar syrup 

• 2 Fresh ginger slices (muddled) 

• Fresh ginger slice (to garnish) 

• Ice 

Method 

1. Muddle ginger slices in the base of a shaker 
2. Add sake, vodka, and sugar syrup 
3. Shake with ice until well-chilled 
4. Fine strain into a chilled glass 
5. Garnish with a slice of fresh ginger 
6. Serve 

Global & fusion Lunar New Year cocktails

18. Mai Tai

BOLD | Ideal for: Tropical-themed entertaining 

Built around rich Jamaican rum, the Mai Tai is a layered classic that balances citrus brightness with subtle nuttiness. Appleton Estate 8 Year Old Reserve brings depth and warmth, while fresh lime juice and orange liqueur add lift and gentle sweetness. Orgeat rounds everything out with a soft almond note, creating a cocktail that feels bold, balanced, and timeless. 

19. Orange Blossom

BOLD | Ideal for: Game night aperitifs 

Oranges symbolise happiness and abundance, which makes this cocktail feel like a little liquid luck. And while gin and orange juice isn’t a typical mix, in Jamaica, it’s basically a classic. A swirl of sweet vermouth in this recipe ties everything together, balancing the acidity perfectly. We recommend Cinzano Vermouth Rosso (opens in new window) with its spicy botanicals and complex bittersweet twist for an extra-special finish.   

20. Chinese Fizz

FRUITY | Ideal for: Lively group celebrations 

Inspired by the iconic Ramos Gin Fizz (opens in new window), this Chinese New Year riff swaps in rum and cherry liqueur for a festive serve that’s creamy, citrussy, and full of celebration. 

Ingredients 

• 60 ml Appleton Estate Rum 

• 10 ml Grand Marnier 

• 10 ml Cherry liqueur 

• 15 ml Lemon juice (fresh) 

• 15 ml Sugar syrup 

• 10 ml Grenadine 

• 1 Egg white 

• Dash Bitters 

• Ice 

Method 

1. Add rum, Grand Marnier, cherry liqueur, lemon juice, sugar syrup, grenadine, egg white, and bitters to a shaker 
2. Dry shake (no ice) to combine 
3. Add ice and shake again until frosty 
4. Double strain into a glass filled with fresh ice 
5. Serve 

What to serve with Chinese cocktails

Chinese-inspired cocktails work best alongside dishes that mirror their balance of sweet, savoury, and spice. Dim sum and bao buns pair easily with tea-based or citrus-led drinks. Crispy duck and crispy chilli beef suit spirit-forward or ginger-led cocktails. 

Sweet and sour dishes benefit from bright, fruit-driven serves, while spicy noodles call for drinks with enough acidity to cut through the heat. When food and cocktails speak the same flavour language, the whole table feels more intentional. 

Ready to get mixing? Visit Campari Group brands like SKYY Vodka (opens in new window), Appleton Estate (opens in new window), and Bulldog Gin (opens in new window) to shop for your cocktail essentials, browse more recipes here, and sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop with what’s next.