By Jim Boyce | New baijiu brand Ming River, which sources spirits from Luzhou Laojiao, one of China’s oldest and biggest distilleries, has several cocktail options in The Big Apple for World Baijiu Day—and even a few to serve as warm-ups.
Pre-game WBD with an introduction to baijiu on August 4 at Brooklyn Wine Exchange with Derek Sandhaus. The event includes a primer on baijiu, a tasting and cocktails. RSVP via via simon (at) mingriver.com. (4 PM-6:30 PM, 138 Court Street Brooklyn, New York 11201 | 718-855-9463)
If you can’t make that one, you can can pre-game with the buy one, get one free baijiu cocktail deal at Win Son from 5 PM to 7 PM on August 7. The featured drink is Buddha Bless, a concoction with Ming River baijiu, Mattei Cap Corse Blanc, lime juice, celery seed syrup and Regan’s Orange Bitters. (159 Graham Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 347-457-6010.)
That brings us to August 9 and World Baijiu Day proper.
A new cocktail menu at The Modern will include a baijiu concoction called Terracotta Navy by Patrick Smith. The tangy drink is a twist on the whiskey sour and features Ming River baijiu, lemongrass, Sichuan peppercorns and orgeat. (The Modern, 9 West 53rd street, New York 10019, 212-333-1220)
Korean gastropub Osamil will feature a tiki-style cocktail with a spicy bite for World Baijiu Day. The Mean Ming Machine features Ming River baijiu, Plantation pineapple rum, lime, watermelon, pineapple tincture and Thai chili syrup. (Osamil, 5 West 31st Street, New York 10001, 212-300-4713)
You can also get extra value at Kings Co Imperial with its two-for-one baijiu cocktails on August 9. Monkey Writes a Poem includes with baijiu, Giffard Banane du Bresil, Mattei Quinquina Blanc and Orange Bitters while Ming River Mantis, a refreshing tiki-style drink served in a skull mug, is a potent option. That one includes Worthy Park “Rum-Bar” Silver Jamaican Rum, Hamilton Jamaican Black Rum, Hampden Estate “Rum Fire” Jamaican Rum, Giffard Abricot du Roussillon, ginger syrup and fresh lime. (Kings Co Imperial, 168 1/2 Delancey Street, New York, 10002, 212-475-0244)
Finally, General Deb’s will have a pair of cocktails from August 6 to August 10. The World Baijiu Day special features baijiu, orgeat, lime, Amaro Montenegro, tiki and Peychaud’s bitters. Meanwhile, a permanent cocktail on the menu includes baijiu, Dolin dry, cocchi Americano, Jasmine and rose water. (General Deb’s, 24 Irving Avenue Brooklyn, New York, 11237, 718-417-3300)
(Info provided by Simon Dang and Derek Sandhaus of Ming River.)
Founded in 2015, World Baijiu Day is held each August 9, with events in over 60 cities so far. Follow WBD on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. And get in touch via spirit (at) worldbaijiuday.com.
Leave a Reply