The Best Drinks to Pair with Chinese New Year Feasts

The Best Drinks to Pair with Chinese New Year Feasts

Chinese New Year is a time for celebration, family – and, of course, food! The rich, flavorful dishes that grace the table during this festive season deserve equally delightful drinks to complement them. Why not elevate your feast this year with carefully crafted cocktails? Here’s a guide to the best cocktails to pair with your Chinese New Year dishes for a festive, flavor-packed experience.

1. Lychee Martini with dumplings and seafood dishes

The Lychee Martini is a light and refreshing cocktail that perfectly complements delicate flavors like steamed dumplings or seafood. The floral notes of lychee balance the savory umami, while the subtle sweetness enhances the taste of soy or chili-based dipping sauces.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz lychee liqueur
• Splash of lychee juice

Instructions:

• Shake with ice.
• Strain into a martini glass.
• Garnish with a whole lychee.

2. Ginger Mule with mapo tofu or kung pao chicken

The spiciness of ginger beer in a Ginger Mule is a perfect match for the bold, fiery flavors of Sichuan dishes. The cocktail’s zingy, refreshing notes help cleanse the palate while enhancing the heat.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka
• 4 oz ginger beer
• 0.5 oz lime juice
  

Instructions:

• Pour over ice in a copper mug, stir, and garnish with a lime wedge and fresh ginger slice.

3. Mandarin Mojito with roasted meats like Peking duck or char siu

Mandarins symbolize prosperity during Chinese New Year, and a Mandarin Mojito is a citrusy, vibrant cocktail that pairs beautifully with the rich, savory flavors of roasted meats. Its refreshing mint and citrus cut through the fat, leaving you ready for the next bite.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz white rum
• 1 oz mandarin juice
• 1 oz simple syrup
• Fresh mint leaves and soda water

Instructions:

• Muddle mint leaves with syrup,
• Add juice and rum, then top with soda water over ice. 
• Garnish with mint and mandarin slices.

4. Plum Whiskey Sour with sweet and sour pork

The tangy sweetness of plum complements the fruity notes in sweet and sour dishes. Adding whiskey gives depth, making this cocktail a perfect pairing for dishes that balance sugar and vinegar.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz whiskey
• 1 oz plum syrup
• 0.75 oz lemon juice

Instructions:

• Shake with ice.
• Strain into a glass over ice.
• Garnish with a plum slice or lemon twist.

5. Dragon Fruit Margarita with vegetarian dishes

Vibrant and colorful, the Dragon Fruit Margarita is a visually stunning drink that fits the festive spirit of Chinese New Year. Its sweet and tart profile pairs well with vegetable dishes and lighter appetizers.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila
• 1 oz dragon fruit puree
• 0.5 oz lime juice
• 0.5 oz triple sec

Instructions:

• Shake with ice.
• Strain into a salt-rimmed glass.
• Garnish with a slice of dragon fruit.

6. Chinese Five-Spice Old Fashioned with soy-braised pork belly

For a sophisticated pairing, the Chinese Five-Spice Old Fashioned adds a unique twist to the classic cocktail. The warming spices echo the complex flavors of slow-cooked dishes, creating a harmonious balance.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 0.5 oz simple syrup infused with Chinese five-spice
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters

Instructions:

• Stir with ice.
• Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
• Garnish with an orange peel.