Plum and Osmanthus: China's Sweet Liqueurs

Not every Chinese drink is strong. Next to baijiu and whisky, China has a sweet, fragrant side: fruit and flower liqueurs that families make at home and that young drinkers buy in stylish bottles. Meet plum, osmanthus and their cousins.

Green plum wine

Green plum wine, 青梅酒 (qīngméi jiǔ), is made by steeping green plums in alcohol with sugar, or by fermenting them. Sweet, tangy and light, it has a fresh, slightly almond-like note from the fruit.

Green plums have a long history in China. An old story tells of two rival warlords, Cao Cao and Liu Bei, discussing heroes over green plums and warm wine, a scene known as 青梅煮酒 (qīngméi zhǔ jiǔ). Today, a new wave of plum wine brands with modern bottles has made it a favourite of young Chinese drinkers, especially women, at home and in bars.

Osmanthus wine

Osmanthus (桂花, guìhuā) blooms in autumn with an intense, apricot-like fragrance that fills the streets of southern Chinese cities. Osmanthus wine, 桂花酒 (guìhuā jiǔ), is made by infusing the flowers in a rice wine or spirit, often with sugar.

It is traditionally associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival, when families gather to admire the full moon. In Chinese legend, an osmanthus tree grows on the moon itself. Drinking osmanthus wine under the moon is one of the season's most poetic rituals.

Bayberry wine

In early summer, in Zhejiang and other parts of eastern China, families steep fresh red bayberries (杨梅, yángméi) in baijiu for weeks. The result is a sweet, ruby, strong infusion, kept in big glass jars and served in small glasses. Unlike plum and osmanthus wines, it is often made with a strong spirit, so take it slowly.

Other flavours

Lychee, rose, hawthorn and mulberry liqueurs can also be found, from home-made recipes to modern brands.

How strong are they?

Most commercial plum and osmanthus wines are gentle, often similar to a wine or lower. Home-made infusions in baijiu, like bayberry wine, can be much stronger. Always check the label.

How to drink them

• **Chilled**, in a small wine glass, as an aperitif.
• **On ice**, with a slice of lemon.
• **In a spritz**, with sparkling wine and soda.
• **With dessert**, fruit or mooncakes.

In one sentence

Plum, osmanthus and bayberry are China's sweet side: serve them cold and enjoy them easily.