3 Beijing Venues Mix Up Something Special for World Baijiu Day 2019 This Aug 9
World Baijiu Day returns for its fourth year on Friday, inviting fans as well as those curious about baijiu to join in the fun and perhaps reframe their relationship with China's most notorious white spirit.
Originating in Beijing in 2015, World Baijiu Day now involves dozens of cities every Aug 9 (the date 8-9 bā-jiǔ in Mandarin sounds similar to baijiu), from London to Los Angeles and Shanghai to Stockholm. New cities that will get their first taste of the boozy celebration in 2019 include Helsinki in Finland, Lima in Peru, Minneapolis in the US, and Wagga Wagga in Australia.
READ: Never See the Underside of a Table Again With These Tips on How to Drink Baijiu
While baijiu is traditionally drunk in China straight as shots – "ganbei" style – the holiday encourages people to go "beyond ganbei" with a focus mixing baijiu-inspired cocktails, infusions, and even foods, such as ice cream and chocolate.
Below we list three cool baijiu twists that partaking venues have whipped up for WBD in Beijing this year.
Pachapapi's El Brujo
Xinyuanli Peruvian restaurant Pachapapi will slash the price of their baijiu-based El Brujo this Friday, featuring the drink for RMB 48, down from the regular RMB 78. This one is fruity, refreshing, and effervescent on account of a potent mix of erguotou, homemade berry liqueur, and blood orange soda. The recipe is the brainchild of bartender Alexander Holender from El Infusionista bar in Lima, Peru, who visited Beijing last year. He'll also be making the El Brujo in Lima this Friday (should you already have your flights booked).
Jing-A's Qu Brew
Additionally, Jing-A Brewpub on Xingfucun will pour its third "Qu Brew." Qu is traditionally the starter culture that kicks off fermentation in baijiu and Jing-A has adapted it for a beer which the brewery's Marketing Director Richard Ammerman describes as "a bright and fruity sour." The beer will launch at RMB 35 per glass on Friday night, and cost RMB 45 after that.
The Schoolhouse at Mutianyu's Baijiu Spritzers and Ice Cream
The Schoolhouse at Mutianyu has been part of World Baijiu Day since the beginning and makes its own baijiu-infused liqueurs in a handful of flavors throughout the year. Executive Chef Randhir Singh has two baijiu options this year: spritzers at RMB 38 and deep-fried baijiu ice cream for RMB 48 (pictured above). He says the latter took a lot of tweaking but now he's got it just right (if they taste anything like how they look, we're in for a treat). These will be available from Aug 9-11.
Want to know more about this infamous spirit? Head down to Beijing's very own Maotai Museum.
Photos: daily.sevenfifty.com, courtesy of Jim Boyce
