Year of the Ox-Themed Cocktails from Shangri-La Hotels

[Photo by Macau Photo Agency]

2021 is the year of the ox, which is one of the 12 animal signs that make up the Chinese zodiac. The year of the ox begins on February 12, 2021 and ends on January 31, 2022.

In Chinese culture, the ox is a faithful friend who is industrious, cautious, and always happy to offer help. Its characteristics stem from the legend of the Zodiacs Rankings Race ordered by the Jade Emperor. The Ox was about to finish first, but the caring Ox helped the cunning Rat cross a river. Upon safe passage, the Rat jumped into first, causing the Ox to lose its first place.

Chinese New Year-Inspired Beauty Products for 2021

Shangri-La Hotels around the world have shared the best cocktail and zero-proof drink recipes to celebrate the year of the ox at home with loved ones. From Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai’s Ox Mist Twister to Jing An Shangri-La, West Shanghai’s Golden Date, learn how to make these tasty and pretty drinks for yourself and others.

Ox Mist Twister (Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai)

Inspired by 2021’s zodiac sign, the Ox, the Ox Mist Twister honors the animal’s prominence in agricultural society with a mix of various fruits and herbs including kaffir limes, lemongrass, and lychee.

Ingredients:

• 60 ml Rum

• 20 ml Fresh Pineapple Juice

• 20 ml Lychee Juice

• 20 ml Malibu

• 10 ml Sweet and Sour Mix

• Pomegranate foam for top

• 3 Kaffir Limes with Leaves

• 2 Lemongrass Sticks

• Ice

Directions:

• Gently muddle kafir lime leaf and lemon grass stick.

• Combine ingredients in a shaker glass.

• Add ice and shake well.

• Double strain the cocktail in old fashioned glass and top with pomegranate foam.

• Garnish with kaffir lime and lemongrass.

Bitez Garden (China World Summit Wing, Beijing)

This refreshing cocktail is made with mandarin orange, an iconic fruit during Lunar New Year as it is said to bring good luck. During Lunar New Year celebrations, Lion Dancers toss mandarin oranges to the crowd. Audience members who catch the oranges are expected to have a lucky year ahead.

Ingredients:

• 45 ml Gin

• 60 ml Mandarin Orange

• 20 ml Fresh Lime Juice

• 20 ml Monin Elderflower

• 2 pieces Fresh Thyme

• Orange peel for garnish

Directions:

• Put all ingredients into a shaker.

• Fill shaker with ice.

• Close and shake well for 10 seconds.

• Fill rocks glass with ice cubes.

• Strain drink into the glass.

• Garnish with thyme and orange peel.

The Pink Baijiu (China World Summit, Beijing)

This warming cocktail is perfect to start an evening or an after-meal nightcap. With its vibrant red color, a traditional color seen during Lunar New Year celebrations, the cocktail’s appearance symbolizes luck, joy, and happiness that will follow into the New Year.

Ingredients:

• 25 ml Baijiu

• 40 ml Luxardo Aperitivo

• 30 ml Luxardo Marachino

• 10 ml Honey

• 2 ml Lemon Bitters

• Rose petal for garnish

Directions:

• Fill rocks glass with ice cubes to chill the glass.

• Add Baijiu to a mixing glass.

• Add Luxardo Aperitivo and Luxardo Marachino to the same mixing glass.

• Add three drops of Lemon Bitters to the mixing glass.

• Add 10 ml honey to the mixing glass.

• Fill mixing glass with ice cubes.

• Stir ingredients for 10 seconds.

• Remove ice cubes from the rocks glass.

• Using a strainer, strain cocktail from the mixing glass into the rocks glass.

• Add ice sphere or large ice cube to rocks glass.

• Garnish with one rose petal.

Golden Date (Jing An Shangri-La, West Shanghai)

Using jasmine tea, one of China’s most famous exports, the Golden Date cocktail is the perfect zero-proof cocktail for those who want to celebrate the holiday without sacrificing taste.

Ingredients:

• 60 ml Cranberry Juice

• 60 ml Jasmine Tea

• 30 grams Dry Salted Plum

• 10 ml Fresh Lime Juice

• Lemon Peel for garnish

Directions:

• Put all ingredients into a shaker.

• Fill shaker with ice.

• Close and shake well for 10 seconds.

• Fill highball glass with ice cubes.

• Strain drink into the glass.

• Garnish with lemon peel.

[Images courtesy of Shangri-La Hotels]

Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk