Sip & Savour: 13 Tastiest Asian-Inspired Cocktails Unveiled

Asian cocktails are vibrant, diverse, timeless, and almost always have a tasty hint of intrigue in the mix—much like the continent itself. Inspired by this captivating region with its splendid array of landscapes, climates, cultures, and people, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite Asian drinks to spark a touch of wanderlust in your palate. Happy adventuring! 

1. Singapore Sling

This famous Asian cocktail drink has inspired countless variations, but we still adore the original. Ngiam Tong Boon created the Singapore Sling recipe in 1915, and it quickly became a local favourite. Tart, refreshing, and very drinkable, there’s a good reason this classic drink has remained one of the most fashionable cocktails of our time.    

2. Asian Pear

The Asian Pear cocktail has been crafted to absolute perfection. It’s a delight from start to finish and easy to whip up.  Add 40ml Chinese baijiu, 15ml maraschino liqueur, 10ml pear liqueur, 60ml white pear juice, 20ml lime juice, 15ml agave syrup, and a few dashes of bitters to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until well-chilled, decant into a frosted glass, and serve. 

Get festive: 12 Chinese-Inspired Cocktails to Celebrate the Chinese New Year  

3. Cherry Blossom

This Asian cocktail brings plenty of springtime flair to the party. To make two Cherry Blossom drinks, combine 45ml sake, 30ml cherry liqueur, 15ml Bulldog Gin, 10ml Grand Marnier, 10ml grenadine, and 10ml lemon juice in a mixing glass with ice. Stir until thoroughly chilled, and strain into two chilled glasses. Garnish with fresh or brandied cherries.   

Stay sweet: 13 Cherry Cocktails to Indulge Sweet & Tangy Flavours 

4. Poktanju (Soju Bomb) 

This party drink is a complete Korean pub classic. Fill a glass halfway with chilled beer. Place two chopsticks across the top of the glass. Pour the soju into a shot glass, and carefully balance it on top of the chopsticks. Now slam your hands on the table on either side of the beer glass and watch the shot of soju drop into your drink. Enjoy!   

Read next: 10 Beer Cocktails for the Win  

5. Sparkling Strawberry Boba

If you have a soft spot for fun and festive Asian cocktail recipes, you’ve got to make the Sparkling Strawberry Boba cocktail. To make this bubble tea cocktail, you will need 30ml  SKYY Vodka, 75ml strawberry sugar syrup, 15ml fresh lime juice, two tablespoons of tapioca pearls, and 90ml of sparkling water or soda water. Combine the tapioca pearls and syrup in the bottom of your serving glass, then top with the vodka, and fresh lime juice, and charge with sparkling water.     

More here: Jump on the Latest Boba Cocktail Trend with These 3 Cocktails 

6. Japanese Sour

No list of Asian-themed cocktails would be complete without the Japanese Sour. Smoky, sour, smooth, and seductively frothy on top, this slow sipper is a spin-off of the classic Whiskey Sour. To make one, combine 60ml Japanese whisky, 10ml fresh lemon juice, 10ml yuzu juice, 15ml kuromitsu (or honey syrup), and 1 egg white in a shaker and dry shake (without ice) for 10 seconds. Add ice cubes and shake again until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass, add a few drops of bitters, and serve

Kanpai! 10 Japanese Whiskey Cocktails to Master

7. Mango Mojito

If you’ve ever enjoyed a cool, velvety sip of a Mango Mojito, you have India to thank for this Asian-inspired cocktail. It’s the birthplace of the mango and the population can’t get enough of them. A Mango Mojito is a fruity and fragrant fiesta, with a smooth texture that only mango can deliver. To transform your Mojito into a Mango Mojito, simply muddle in some fresh mango, and add a splash of mango juice to the regular Mojito mix.     

Read next: 15 Delicious Indian Cocktails to Make at Home

8. Sesame Old Fashioned

The traditional Old Fashioned is one of the most popular short drinks around the globe, and the Sesame Old Fashioned takes this sought-after drink template into a beautifully nutty and aromatic direction. Dry toast a handful of sesame seeds in a warm pan, remove, and add to 120ml The Glen Grant Whisky. Infuse for an hour. Build 60ml sesame-infused whiskey, 15ml sugar syrup, and 4 dashes of bitters in a rocks glass over ice. Stir, serve, and enjoy this popular Asian alcoholic drink.  

Go pro! Best Whiskey for an Old Fashioned Cocktail 

9. Raspberry Soju

Following in the slipstream of dainty drinks like the Raspberry Martini, the Raspberry Soju provides a beautiful way to showcase the tender taste of this picture-perfect fruit. In a glass, muddle a few fresh raspberries with 15ml sugar syrup. Add ice and 60ml soju. Stir gently and garnish your pretty Asian alcoholic drink with a few fresh raspberries.  

More where this came from! 20 Soju Cocktails to Master at Home 

10. Toki Americano

Japan meets Italy’s aperitivo hour in one of our favourite Asian alcohol drinks. This stir-and-strain drink is a spin-off of the famous Americano cocktail, featuring a beautiful balance of bittersweet and savoury flavours. To make one, combine 45ml Japanese whisky, 20ml Cinzano Vermouth Bianco, 20ml Amaro Averna, and a dash of grapefruit bitters in a mixing glass with ice. Stir and strain into a chilled coupe before serving.  

Asked & Answered: Is There Really a Substitute for Your Favorite Cinzano Vermouth?    

11. Indian Hot Buttered Rum

As far as Asian-inspired winter cocktails go, the Hot Buttered Rum might just be the king. It contains butter and we all know that everything is better with butter. To give your buttery bomb an Indian twist, all you have to do is add some chai spice to the usual butter, sugar, and vanilla mix. Top it up with rum and hot water, and you’ve got yourself a fragrant Indian Hot Buttered Rum.    

12. Chinese Fizz

Love a Ramos Fizz? Try this delightful Asian summer cocktail. To make one, combine 60ml Appleton Estate Rum, 10ml Grand Marnier, 10ml cherry liqueur, 15ml lemon juice, 15ml sugar syrup, 10ml grenadine, 1 egg white, and a dash of bitters in a cocktail shaker. Dry shake to combine, then add ice, shake until frosty, and double strain into a glass filled with fresh ice. 

13. Sabai Sabai

Sabai Sabai, also known as the ‘Thai Welcome Drink’, is the official alcoholic drink of Thailand. To make one, add 2 fresh sweet Thai basil leaves to a cocktail shaker, along with 45ml Mekhong, 45ml fresh lemon juice, and 20ml sugar syrup. Add ice and shake vigorously for about 10 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass or an old-fashioned glass filled with fresh ice, top off with soda water and serve.  

There you have it — 13 amazing Asian cocktails to inspire your exploration of this captivating region and all its gorgeous delicacies. If you love travelling in a cocktail glass, sign up for our newsletter so we can send you a first-class ticket to your next drinkspiration destination.