Celebrate the Lunar New Year with six festive cocktails created by bartenders across Asia and the Philippines, each built around Tequila Don Julio 1942 and steeped in traditions of fortune, togetherness and joy for the Year of the Horse.
Golden Horse
By Lok Cheung of COA, Hong Kong
Ingredients
- 1 ⅓ oz Tequila Don Julio 1942
- ¾ oz Water Chestnut Syrup
- ⅓ oz Lime
- ¼ oz Kumquat Liqueur
- 3 drops of Aer
- 1 whole fresh kumquat
Preparation: Add all ingredients to a shaker. Using a hand blender, blend until the mixture is smooth. Shake well and fine strain into a coupe glass. Print a horse image onto the foam using an edible printer.
Ritual: Serve the cocktail at the center of a traditional Chinese candy box, surrounded by festive treats like fresh tangerine, kumquat, sunflower seeds and pistachios to welcome guests with joy and good fortune.
Dǎ Xiǎo Rén
By Tong Li of Lotus Lounge in GuangZhou, China
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz Tequila Don Julio 1942
- ¼ oz Maraschino Liqueur
- ½ oz Bergamot Tepache Syrup
- ⅔ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- ⅔ oz Kombucha
Preparation: Add all ingredients (except Kombucha) into a shaker and shake thoroughly. Strain over ice into a rocks glass. Top with Kombucha. Garnish with ginger candy.
Ritual: Place the cocktail inside or under a box. Draw or write any lingering bad luck or energy you wish to leave behind. Use a shoe or slipper to strike the paper to expel the misfortune. Lift the box to reveal the cocktail.
Dancing in the Clouds
By Paul Hsu of Obsidian Bar, China
Ingredients
- 1 oz Tequila Don Julio 1942
- ½ oz Burnt Sage & Lavender Cordial
- ⅛ oz Muscat Grape Liqueur
- ½ oz Italian Red Bitters
- ⅓ oz Fresh Cranberry Juice
Preparation: Add all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice and stir thoroughly. Strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with Oolong foam.
Ritual: The cocktail's radiant red hue symbolizes happiness and prosperity for Lunar New Year. Raise a glass with friends and family to wish these fortunes on loved ones.
1942 Crimson Fold
By Ralph Allen Santos of The Spirits Library, Philippines
Ingredients
- 1 oz Tequila Don Julio 1942
- 1 oz Amaro
- 1 oz Aperitif Wine
- ¾ oz Plum Tea
Preparation: Batch all ingredients into a mini decanter and chill thoroughly. To serve, pour over a rocks glass with clear ice. Garnish with a Plum Tea Blossom.
Ritual: The red envelope is one of the most important and popular Lunar New Year traditions that wishes fortune for those you gift a red envelope to. Present the cocktail alongside an ampao envelope containing a chocolate coin for symbolic good fortune.
Golden Moment
By Tryson Quek of Sidedoor, Singapore
Ingredients
- 1 oz Tequila Don Julio 1942
- 2 oz Clarified Pineapple Juice
- ⅔ oz Dry Vermouth-Infused Mandarin Peel
Preparation: Gently stir Tequila Don Julio 1942 with Clarified Pineapple Juice in a mixing glass. Transfer to a carbonation-safe bottle and carbonate to your desired level. Pour into a nosing or wine glass, and add a frozen mandarin with curry leaf, and garnish with infused mandarin peels.
Ritual: Inspired by the Singaporean tradition of Lo Hei, this moment is about coming together. Gather around the table, raise your glasses and take turns sharing wishes for the year ahead. Serve this cocktail as a toast to togetherness, abundance and the joy of starting Lunar New Year surrounded by loved ones.
Orient Ember
By Thanachot Ong Lohanitmit of #FindTheLockerRoom, Thailand
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz Tequila Don Julio 1942
- 1 oz Tangerine Juice
- ⅓ oz Goji Berry Syrup
- ⅓ oz Thai Tea
Preparation: Add ingredients into a strainer with ice and shake thoroughly. Strain over ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with candied plum spheres, then lightly mist vanilla over the drink.
Ritual: Finish with a gentle vanilla mist as a symbolic blessing, awakening the vibrant spirit of the Year of the Horse to invite joy, luck, and success into the year ahead.
