20 Chinese-inspired Cocktails to Clink this Lunar New Year

Chinese cocktails are enjoying a well-deserved moment in the spotlight right now, and we love the delicate, exotic flavours 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 cocktail

The Green Dragon cocktail is a captivating drink that combines the fresh flavours of mint, juniper, caraway, and fennel. Add 60 ml gin, 15ml crème de menthe, 10 ml kummel caraway liqueur, 10 ml lemon juice, a few dashes of peach bitters, and 10 ml chilled water to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until frosty and fine-strain into a chilled glass to serve. You could also substitute kummel liqueur for aquavit, which also has a caraway-forward flavour. 

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.

Love to go green? Halloween Horror: Meet the Green Monster Cocktail 

2. The Firecracker cocktail

If you like the idea of Chinese-inspired cocktails that lean into the festive fireworks theme, we’ve got the drink for you. The Firecracker is a feisty drink brimming with zesty flavour. In a mixing glass, muddle two one-inch cubes of watermelon. Add 45 ml Appleton Estate Rum, 15 ml Grand Marnier, 15 ml fresh lime juice, 15 ml sugar syrup, and a pinch or two of cayenne pepper. Shake until well chilled and strain into a serving glass. Garnish with an optional lime wedge and serve. 

3. Chit-Cha Toddy cocktail

If you are looking for a Chinese New Year cocktail that is tailor-made for frosty weather, you’ve got to give the Chit-Cha Toddy a try. Add 20 ml Wild Turkey 101, 10 ml Cynar Liqueur, 10 ml ginger-infused sugar syrup, 10 ml lemon juice, 10 ml honey, and 100 ml hot Oolong tea to a serving cup. Give it a stir, garnish with a lemon slice, and serve. Learn all about making infused syrups at home here. 

More cosiness this way: The Oh-So-Soothing Hot Toddy Cocktail  

4. Gunfire cocktail

If you will be pouring Chinese New Year cocktails for a crowd it’s best to choose a drink that’s simple to assemble. The warming Gunfire cocktail fits this bill to a T. Brew 90 ml Chinese black tea. Warm a serving glass (we like to use a cup, so it’s easier to handle), add 30 ml Appleton Estate rum, pour in the tea, give it a gentle stir, and serve. You could also add some star anise as a fragrant garnish. 

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

5. Lychee Martini cocktail

When pairing cocktails with Chinese food, many folks like to incorporate lychee as a flavour, 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 favourite Chinese food, and see what a wonderful pairing it makes.  In Chinese culture, lychees also symbolise well-being, love, and romance—and who wouldn’t want some of that in their new year?  

6. Asian Pear cocktail

The Asian Pear cocktail is equivalent to a delicate Chinese cocktail dress that has been crafted to fit to absolute perfection.  It’s a delight from start to finish, and easy to whip up.  Add 50 ml Chinese baijiu, 10 ml maraschino liqueur, 10 ml pear liqueur, 60 ml white pear juice, 20 ml lime juice, 15 ml 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. 

More pear inspo:  Cheers to Fall with a Pear Martini  

7. The Lion’s Tail cocktail

Chinese New Year parades typically feature a beguiling Lion Dance for good luck. Use this as your cue to serve a classic Lion’s Tail cocktail that harks back to the boisterous Prohibition era. Add 60 ml Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon, 10 ml allspice liqueur, 10 ml lime juice, 1 teaspoon sugar syrup, and two dashes of bitters to a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled serving glass. Lightly express the oil from an orange twist over the top of the drink, and discard the twist before serving. 

8. Orange Blossom cocktail

Oranges symbolise 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 that’s 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 Rosso with its spicy botanicals and complex bittersweet twist for an extra special finish.  

9. Sesame Old Fashioned cocktail

The traditional Old Fashioned is one of the most popular slow sippers 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 120 ml of The Glen Grant whiskey. Infuse for an hour. Build 60 ml of the sesame-infused whiskey, 10 ml sugar syrup, and 4 dashes of bitters in a rocks glass over ice. Stir, serve, and enjoy. 

10. Blood Orange Margarita cocktail  

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 flavours 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 literally just add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker, give it a good shake, and pour. 

11. Chinese Fizz

Love a Ramos Fizz? Try this delightful spin on the fizzy classics for Chinese New Year 2024. To make one, combine 60 ml Appleton Estate Rum, 10 ml Grand Marnier, 10 ml cherry liqueur, 15 ml lemon juice, 15 ml sugar syrup, 10 ml grenadine, 1 egg white, and a dash of bitters to a cocktail shaker without ice. Dry shake to combine, then add ice, shake until frosty, and double-strain into a glass filled with fresh ice.

12. Cherry Moon

Keen on something sweet to sip, that’s red for good luck? Try a Cherry Moon. To make one, fill a rocks glass with ice and add 45ml cherry vodka. Top it off with 100 ml lemon-lime soda, and 15 ml of grenadine. Garnish with a cherry, and serve.

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 colour and fresh zesty flavours.

14. Mai Tai

Recognised on the IBA’s official cocktail list, the Mai Tai is a global favourite that embodies the celebration of good fortune and joy. With its bold flavours and tropical flair, it’s a toast-worthy choice for the Lunar New Year.

15. Baijiu Berry Sour

This vibrant and tangy Chinese-inspired cocktail showcases the bold character of baijiu, balanced with fruity and citrus notes. To make one, combine 50 ml baijiu, 20 ml fresh lemon juice, 20 ml raspberry syrup, 15 ml herbal liqueur, and 15 ml egg white in a shaker with ice. Shake well to combine and chill, then strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with three fresh raspberries and one blackberry for a striking finish.

16. China Blue

This visually stunning drink combines the sweetness of lychee with the tangy brightness of pink grapefruit. To make one, combine 30 ml lychee liqueur, 30 ml blue curaçao, and 120 ml freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice in a shaker with ice. Shake until well-chilled, then strain into a pre-chilled Collins glass over fresh ice. Garnish with an orange slice for a vibrant finish, and serve immediately.

17. Jade Cocktail

Jade, a symbol of prosperity, purity, and good fortune in Chinese culture, inspires this elegant green cocktail. To make one of these drinks for Chinese New Year, combine 60 ml Wray & Nephew white rum, 0.25 oz green crème de menthe, 0.5 oz Grand Marnier, and 0.5 oz fresh lime juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well until chilled, then strain into a martini glass. Its vibrant hue and balanced flavours make it a fitting tribute to the cherished gemstone.

18. Peach Fizz

Peaches symbolise longevity and prosperity in Chinese culture, making this sparkling clinker a delightful Lunar New Year cocktail. To make one, rim a highball glass with sugar and set aside. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine 30 ml peach schnapps, 30 ml SKYY Vodka, 15 ml peach nectar, 15 ml fresh lemon juice, and 15 ml sugar syrup. Shake until well-chilled, then pour into the prepared glass. Top with club soda, stir gently and serve for a celebratory sparkle.

19. Asian Ginger Cocktail

Ginger is a staple of Chinese New Year festivities, symbolising warmth and vitality. This aromatic Lunar New Year drink balances the spicy kick of ginger with the smoothness of sake and vodka. To make one, muddle 2 slices of fresh ginger in the base of a shaker. Add 75 ml sake, 45 ml SKYY Vodka, and 20 ml rich sugar syrup. Shake with ice until well-chilled, then fine strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with a slice of fresh ginger for a bold finish.

20. Cherry Blossom

This Asian cocktail brings plenty of springtime flair to the party. To make two Cherry Blossom drinks, combine 45 ml sake, 30 ml cherry liqueur, 15 ml Bulldog Gin, 20 ml Grand Marnier, 10 ml grenadine, and 10 ml lemon juice in a mixing glass with ice. Stir until thoroughly chilled, and strain into two chilled glasses. Garnish with fresh or brandied cherries.

Ganbei, friends! Let us know which Chinese New Year cocktail was your favouite, and remember to tag us in your Instagram pics. Love articles like these? Sign up for our newsletter so that we can send it straight to your inbox.