20 Chinese-Inspired Cocktails to Celebrate the Chinese New Year

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

The Green Dragon cocktail is a captivating drink that combines the fresh flavors of mint, juniper, caraway, and fennel. Add 2 oz gin, 0.5 oz crème de menthe, 0.25 oz kummel caraway liqueur, 0.25 oz lemon juice, a few dashes of peach bitters, and 0.25 oz 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 flavor. 

Bulldog Gin 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.

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

2. The Firecracker

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 flavor. In a mixing glass, muddle two one-inch cubes of watermelon. Add 1.5 oz Appleton Estate Rum, 0.5 oz Grand Marnier, 0.5 oz fresh lime juice, 0.5 oz simple 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

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 0.75 oz Wild Turkey 101, 0.25 oz Cynar Liqueur, 0.25 oz ginger simple syrup, 0.25 oz lemon juice, 0.25 oz honey, and 3.5 oz 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 coziness this way: The Oh-So-Soothing Hot Toddy Cocktail  

4. Gunfire

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 3 oz Chinese black tea. Warm a serving glass (we like to use a cup, so it’s easier to handle), add 1 oz of 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

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

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 1.25 oz Chinese baijiu, 0.25 oz maraschino liqueur, 0.25 oz pear liqueur, 2 oz white pear juice, 0.75 oz lime juice, 0.5 oz 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

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 2 oz Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon, 0.25 oz allspice liqueur, 0.25 oz lime juice, 1 teaspoon simple 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

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 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

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 4 oz of The Glen Grant whiskey. Infuse for an hour. Build 2 oz of the sesame-infused whiskey, 0.5 oz simple syrup and 4 dashes of bitters in a rocks glass over ice. Stir, serve, and enjoy. 

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

Love a Ramos Fizz? Try this delightful spin on the fizzy classics for Chinese New Year 2024. To make one, combine 2 oz Appleton Estate Rum, 0.25 oz Grand Marnier, 0.25 oz cherry liqueur, 0.5 oz lemon juice, 0.5 oz simple syrup, 0.25 oz 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 1.5 oz cherry vodka. Top it off with 3.5 oz lemon-lime soda, and 0.5 oz 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 color and fresh zesty flavors.

14. Mai Tai

Recognized on the IBA’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 vibrant and tangy Chinese-inspired cocktail showcases the bold character of baijiu, balanced with fruity and citrus notes. To make one, combine 1.25 oz baijiu, 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice, 0.75 oz raspberry syrup, 0.25 oz herbal liqueur, and 0.5 oz 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 1 oz lychee liqueur, 1 oz blue curaçao, and 4 oz 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 2 oz 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 flavors make it a fitting tribute to the cherished gemstone.

18. Peach Fizz

Peaches symbolize 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 1 oz peach schnapps, 1 oz SKYY Vodka, 0.5 oz peach nectar, 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice, and 0.5 oz simple 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, symbolizing 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 2.5 oz sake, 1.5 oz SKYY Vodka, and 0.25 oz 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 1.5 oz sake, 1 oz cherry liqueur, 0.5 oz Bulldog Gin, 0.25 oz Grand Marnier, 0.25 oz grenadine, and 0.25 oz 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 drink was your favorite, and remember to tag us in your Instagram pics. Love articles like these? Sign up for our newsletter, so we can send it straight to your inbox.