GLOBAL

Beyond ganbei

World Baijiu Day is officially an annual event, with plans underway for the second event with venues in Australia, China, England, France and the United States already confirming participation on Monday, Aug 8, as well as the preceding weekend. Beijing nightlife blogger Jim Boyce launched the event last year to give more people a chance to try baijiu, the potent alcohol that ranks among the most consumed spirits in the world but is little-known outside of China.

The theme is "beyond ganbei", turning the focus away from the traditional toasts to new cocktails and infusions, tasting flights of baijiu styles, and even using the spirit for making foods such as pizza, ice cream and gummy bears.

"Few people enjoy room-temperature shots of any spirit, whether it's vodka or gin or baijiu, especially when alcohol levels reach nearly 60 percent," says Boyce. "We aim to make baijiu more accessible by using it for cocktails, infusions and foods." Worldbaijiuday.com will post updates about upcoming events as well as news on baijiu bars, cocktails and producers.