Discover a New Appreciation for Baijiu During World Baijiu Day, Aug 9

For most expats, it isn’t long before we arrive in Beijing and are faced with our first bottle of báijiǔ. It’s an experience that ostensibly begins as cultural appreciation and quickly devolves into something a little less refined and a little less, well, cultured. Nevertheless, as the planet’s most oft-poured liquor, it deserves to be well understood and treated with all the respect befitting a drink that makes up a whopping one-third of global hard liquor production. 

Luckily, this Sunday, Aug 9, baijiu will get its due during the fifth annual World Baijiu Day. Recognized in more than 50 cities across the globe, World Baijiu Day is a celebration of this uniquely potent and distinctly Chinese libation that seeks to educate folks outside China’s borders about the country’s most coveted drink.

As the birthplace of World Baijiu Day, Beijing has a number of events this weekend to help you celebrate in style. And if you happen to celebrate a little too much, check out this guide on how to imbibe without losing your mind. 

Superfly

First up, The Opposite House's newish Sichuan joint Superfly will feature two baijiu cocktails on their menu, Aug 7-9 (RMB 89 each). The first is the Erguotou Fizz, which launched with the restaurant, as well as a newcomer dubbed the Zhuyeqing Sour. There'll also be peach and raspberry baijiu sorbet on hand to cool the tastebuds and straight pours if you want to dive right in.

The Brickyard at Mutianyu

Elsewhere, The Brickyard at Mutianyu once again brings back its deep-fried baijiu ice cream, Aug 8-10, for RMB 36. Crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, it’s the perfect way to have your baijiu and eat it too. For the more traditional connoisseur, however, Brickyard will also be doling out their coffee corretto with a shot of the good stuff on the side (RMB 36).

In & Out Yunnan Restaurant

Finally, on Aug 9, In and Out and Vicu (run by Frankie Zou and which we previously introduced here) will serve a flight of three flavorful baijiu infusions — guava, yangmei, and plum – for one night only, Aug 9, for only RMB 36, as well as a baijiu and gin cocktail and White Rabbit candy baijiu shots.

Full details can be found on the World Baijiu Day website here, including affiliated events around the world. Ganbei!

READ: Whip Up Your Own Whiskey at Awaguli Bar & Grill

Images: Ming River