5 Festive Chinese New Year Cocktails To Try This 2021

Even as we enter a post-pandemic period of recovery, it’s safe to say that Chinese New Year this year will look a little different than what we’re used to. Prioritising safety and health doesn’t necessitate curtailing your celebrations. With a little bit of creativity, you can kickstart Chinese New Year celebrations this 2021 with cocktail making at home. 

Festive Chinese New Year Cocktails

 A little bit about Chinese New Year

Also called the Lunar New Year, it typically begins with the new moon occurring between the end of January and end of February - lasting approximately 15 days. Cleaning and decorating the house, having reunion dinners on the eve, and giving red envelopes (Ang Pao) are ways people took to the celebrations.

You can make your own festive cocktails at home this year - experimenting with your family is half of the fun! We’ve compiled some of the most festive themed drinks here, with different alcohol types to wet your whistle. 

1. Jade Cocktail  

Jade Cocktail

In Chinese culture, jade was regarded as one of the most precious stones, symbolising purity and moral integrity. As the name suggests, this cocktail borrows significance heavily from what jade represents in culture and tradition. Achieve the bright green flavour by using the Midori Melon and blue Curacao together. Add champagne, lime juice and a dash of Angostura bitters for a refreshing alcoholic drink to start off the night.

You’ll need:

  • ½ ounce Midori
  • ½ ounce blue Curacao
  • dash of Angostura bitters
  • ½ ounce lime juice
  • champagne 

2. Golden Treasure Sangria

Golden Treasure Sangria

Featuring grape juice, orange liqueur, honey and sparkling white wine, the Golden Treasure Sangria is a fruity fresh concoction that’ll appease the sweet tooth any of your guests may have. Perfect for an after-dinner drink, you could mix in a variety of fruits - nectarine, cherries, and raspberries - and top it off with mint.

You’ll need:

  • 3 cups white grape juice, chilled
  • ½ cup orange liqueur
  • 1750ml white wine, chilled
  • ¼ cup superfine sugar
  • 3 tbsps honey
  • 1 medium nectarine, pitted and chopped
  • 1 navel orange, thinly sliced
  • ¾ cup frozen cherries
  • ¾ cup fresh red raspberries
  • ½ cup fresh mint leaves

Combine grape juice, orange liqueur, sugar, and honey - stirring until it all dissolves. Stir in nectarine, orange, cherries, raspberries, basil, and mint. Chill the mixture and stir occasionally. Add sparkling wine to the fruit mixture before serving. 

For orange liqueur, you could go with Cointreau. For white wines, see JARBARLAR’s list of wines and champagnes here.

3. Mandarin Orange Mojito  

Mandarin Orange Mojito

Exchanging mandarin oranges is part and parcel of Chinese New Year traditions. Incorporating mandarin juice into your cocktail can be an innovative way to recreate the classic mojito. 

You’ll need: 

  • 1 cup mandarin juice
  • 3 tbsps fresh lemon juice
  • 4 tbsps sugar
  • mint leaves
  • 1 cup sparkling water
  • ½ cup rum

Mix mandarin juice, fresh lemon juice, sugar, sparkling water and rum in a jar. Add mint leaves as a finishing touch.

4. Orange Oasis

Orange Oasis

Following the trend of good wealth and prosperity, the Orange Oasis is refreshing and fitting for the event. You’ll need: 

  • ½ ounce cherry brandy
  • 4 ounces orange juice
  • ginger ale

Pack a punch by mixing cherry brandy and gin with orange juice. We recommend the Marie Brizard Cherry Brandy for this - infused with red fruit notes and the perfect choice for cocktails.

5. Palomino  

Palomino

The Palomino is a distinct drink. You could either go for the Creme de Cassis, which has the flavour of black currants, or use Kahlua, coffee liqueur. With that rich nutty base, then comes the whiskey. As the name suggests, the drink is reflective of devotion and stability - symbolising freedom and beauty.

You’ll need: 

  • 1 tsp Green Chartreuse
  • 1 ounce Creme de Cassis
  • 1 tsp Kahlua
  • 1 ½ ounces whiskey

Shake everything together with ice and strain into a glass. 

Shop online at our liquor store

At JARBARLAR, you can find any and every kind of alcohol you may need to make that perfect cocktail at home. You don’t have to skimp on celebrations - with just a few tricks, you’ll be surprising your closest family and friends with some festive cocktails homemade. We offer delivery services in Singapore - make your shopping experience a hassle-free one.