20 Chinese-Inspired Cocktails to Celebrate the Chinese New Year in Style

Chinese cocktails are enjoying a well-deserved moment in the spotlight right now, and we love the delicate, exotic flavors these mixed drinks bring to the party. Ideal for celebrating occasions like the Lunar New Year, it’s also perfect for casual get-togethers like DIY dumpling night or at-home screenings of Chinese movies. Every drink on this list is completely 好吃 (tasty), so take your pick and get ready to clink a drink to the Year of the Wood Snake in 2025! 

1. Green Dragon

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

Ingredients

• 2 oz Bulldog Gin (opens in new window)

• 0.5 oz Crème de menthe

• 0.25 oz Kummel (caraway liqueur) or Aquavit (substitute)

• 0.25 oz Lemon juice (fresh)

• Few dashes of peach bitters

• 0.25 oz 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 (opens in new window) is a perfect fit for the Green Dragon cocktail thanks to its bold yet balanced flavor 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.

Halloween Horror: The Green Monster Cocktail

2. The Firecracker

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

• 1.5 oz Appleton Estate Rum (opens in new window)

• 0.5 oz Grand Marnier (opens in new window)

• 0.5 oz Lime juice (fresh)

• 0.5 oz Simple syrup

• 2 one-inch 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, simple 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

3. Chit-Cha Toddy

Created with Chinese New Year in mind, this warming tea-based cocktail blends bourbon, Cynar, honey, and ginger for a cozy sip that’s perfect for cold-weather celebrations.

Ingredients

• 0.75 oz Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon (opens in new window)

• 0.25 oz Cynar (opens in new window)

• 0.25 oz Ginger simple syrup

• 0.25 oz Lemon juice (fresh)

• 0.25 oz Honey

• 3.5 oz 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  

4. Gunfire

Once a military tradition, Gunfire is now a simple, warming cocktail that’s perfect for Chinese New Year gatherings. Black tea and dark rum combine for a cozy serve with optional spiced garnish.

Ingredients

• 1 oz Appleton Estate Rum

• 3 oz 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

5. Lychee Martini

When pairing cocktails with Chinese food, many folks like to incorporate lychee as a flavor, and we understand why. Sweet, slightly floral, and a teensy bit acidic, the aromas of this tropical fruit perfectly complement the bold umami notes that typify many popular Chinese dishes. Try a Lychee Martini with your favorite Chinese food, and see what a wonderful pairing it makes. In Chinese culture, lychees symbolize well-being, love, and romance – and who wouldn’t want some of that in their new year?  

6. Asian Pear

As graceful as a silk cocktail dress, the Asian Pear mixes baijiu, pear, and citrus into a drink that’s delicate, balanced, and refined from first sip to last.

Ingredients

• 1.25 oz Baijiu (Chinese grain alcohol)

• 0.25 oz Maraschino liqueur

• 0.25 oz Pear liqueur

• 2 oz White pear juice

• 0.75 oz Lime juice (fresh)

• 0.5 oz 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:  Cheers to Fall with a Pear Martini

7. The Lion’s Tail

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

Ingredients

• 2 oz Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon

• 0.25 oz Allspice liqueur

• 0.25 oz Lime juice (fresh)

• 1 tsp Simple syrup

• 2 dashes Bitters

• Orange twist (to express oils, discard)

• Ice

Method

1. Add bourbon, allspice liqueur, lime juice, simple 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

8. Orange Blossom Cocktail

Oranges symbolize happiness and abundance and are popular food gifts during Chinese New Year celebrations. That being said, traditional Chinese cocktails also often incorporate beautiful floral aromas, and this Orange Blossom cocktail is a wonderful choice if you’re in the mood for something as easy to enjoy as it is to pour.

See it as a bit of liquid luck. While the combination of orange juice and gin is quite rare in a cocktail, the swirl of sweet vermouth is the perfect bridge that balances the acidity. We recommend Cinzano Vermouth Rosso (opens in new window) with its spicy botanicals and complex bittersweet twist for an extra special finish.  

9. Sesame Old Fashioned

A nutty, aromatic riff on the global classic, this version infuses whiskey with toasted sesame seeds for a slow sipper that’s rich, smooth, and unexpected.

Ingredients

For the infused whiskey

• 4 oz The Glen Grant Whisky (opens in new window) (for infusion)

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

For the cocktail

• 2 oz Sesame-infused whiskey

• 0.5 oz Simple 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 whiskey and infuse for 1 hour, then strain

3. Build sesame-infused whiskey, simple syrup, and bitters in a rocks glass over ice

4. Stir gently

5. Garnish with an orange twist if desired

6. Serve

10. Blood Orange Margarita

Chinese cocktails are often deeply hued and quite dramatic, and the Blood Orange Margarita certainly plays in this space. Plus, red is considered to be very lucky! This juicy tequila-based cocktail is packed with all the bittersweet flavors you could wish for, making it the perfect aperitif to serve to a Chinese New Year 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.   

11. Chinese Fizz

Inspired by the iconic Ramos Gin Fizz, this Chinese New Year riff swaps in rum and cherry liqueur for a festive serve that’s creamy, citrusy, and full of celebratory flair.

Ingredients

• 2 oz Appleton Estate Rum

• 0.25 oz Grand Marnier

• 0.25 oz Cherry liqueur

• 0.5 oz Lemon juice (fresh)

• 0.5 oz Simple syrup

• 0.25 oz Grenadine

• 1 Egg white

• Dash Bitters

• Ice

Method

1. Add rum, Grand Marnier, cherry liqueur, lemon juice, simple 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

12. Cherry Moon

The Cherry Moon is playful, sweet, and full of charm. With its bright red hue and candy-like appeal, it feels lighthearted and fun without being fussy. Think of it as the cocktail equivalent of a lucky wink—cheerful, easygoing, and just a little whimsical.

13. Red Dragon

Experience the fiery allure of the easy-to-make 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 Chinese cocktail recipe that adds a pop of color and fresh zesty flavors.

14. Mai Tai

Recognized in the International Bartenders Association’s official cocktail list, the Mai Tai is a global favorite that embodies the celebration of good fortune and joy. With its bold flavors and tropical flair, it’s a toast-worthy choice for the Lunar New Year.

15. Baijiu Berry Sour

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

Ingredients

• 1.25 oz Baijiu

• 0.75 oz Lemon juice (fresh)

• 0.75 oz Raspberry syrup

• 0.25 oz Herbal liqueur

• 0.5 oz 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

16. China Blue

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

• 1 oz Lychee liqueur

• 1 oz Blue Curaçao

• 4 oz 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

17. Jade Cocktail

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

• 2 oz Wray & Nephew White Rum (opens in new window)

• 0.25 oz Green crème de menthe

• 0.5 oz Grand Marnier

• 0.5 oz 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

18. Peach Fizz

In Chinese culture, peaches symbolize longevity and prosperity, and this bubbly cocktail makes them the star. Sweet, tangy, and sparkling, it’s a celebratory sip fit for the Lunar New Year.

Ingredients

• 1 oz Peach schnapps

• 1 oz SKYY Vodka (opens in new window)

• 0.5 oz Peach nectar

• 0.5 oz Lemon juice (fresh)

• 0.5 oz Simple syrup

• Club soda (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 simple syrup to an ice-filled shaker

3. Shake until well chilled

4. Pour into the prepared glass with ice

5. Top with club soda and stir gently

6. Garnish with a peach slice or lemon wheel

7. Serve

19. Asian Ginger Cocktail

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

Ingredients

• 2.5 oz Sake

• 1.5 oz SKYY Vodka

• 0.25 oz Rich simple 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 simple 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

20. Cherry Blossom

An Asian-inspired cocktail that blooms with springtime flair, the Cherry Blossom mixes sake, cherry liqueur, gin, and citrus into a delicate yet lively sip.

Ingredients

Serves 2

• 1.5 oz Sake

• 1 oz Cherry liqueur

• 0.5 oz Bulldog Gin

• 0.25 oz Grand Marnier

• 0.25 oz Grenadine

• 0.25 oz 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

Ganbei, friends! Let us know which Chinese New Year drink was your favorite and remember to tag us in your Instagram pics (opens in new window). Love articles like these? Sign up for our newsletter, so we can keep you in the mix.