The Guizhou Mule

• 2 oz Kweichow Moutai XiYan (贵州茅台喜宴）
• .75 oz fresh Lime Juice
• .75 oz fresh Pineapple Juice

Shake and pour into your favorite communist party propaganda mug. Top up with ginger beer. Garnish with lime wedge and mint sprig. Or Zhe'ergen (折耳根) if you have it and wanna get weird.

Moutai is the most widely sold alcohol in the world, and it hails from Guizhou province, where I currently live. It is by far the most famous baijiu on the market and a common gift here in China.

Moutai baijiu falls into the category of "Sauce Aroma" baijiu and is quite potent, with strong umami reminiscent of soy sauce. It also has a slightly fruity funk that almost reminds me of a weaker Jamaican pot still rum.

Last September I was lucky enough to attend the release event for Moutai Xiyan, a new baijiu from Moutai intended for wedding celebrations. With an ABV of 43% it is more in line with a gin or vodka in terms of potency, making it perfect to use in cocktails.

This take on a Moscow Mule is my first success in the realm of Baijiu cocktails but I've got more ambitious ideas to attempt.

Image and recipe courtesy of @thenickromancer.

@thenickromancer

Cocktails & Propaganda

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