Baijiu

Pronounced ‘buy-jew’ (pinyin: baijiu), this is the legendary ‘white wine’ of China. This is usually in excess of 50% alcohol and therefore damned strong! You know when you have had it. It is clear (transparent) with a sweet aroma.

You could get invited by other Chinese diners or a group of friends to do a ‘gam-bay’ (gambei). This is when you have to down the drink in one in a tiny glass ...and to refuse is a sure sign of disrespect to the toaster if there's a special dinner or it's a work function. If you are initiating the toast, you should always toast to the guest of honour first, followed by secondary leaders or elders and later, to everyone else on your table - to everyone around the table or to each person individually, every time refilling and downing your glass, after each 'cheers'. You could get away with using red wine (I know, totally not how red wine should be treated) or even beer with a good excuse. But all this is usually done at slightly more formal meals.  This is a Chinese way of friendship and a sign of deep courtesy. The Chinese of course, mean it in the friendliest way but the quantity of baijiu they drink can be dangerously high, especially in northern provinces. Old men swear on a daily cup of the stuff. In the South, baijiu is usually only for special occasions (weddings, business dinners, and so on). Beer is very much the norm.

It's clear, like vodka, and comes in elegant gold and red boxes – which can make these ideal gifts (be warned, the stuff -like all liquid- is not allowed through customs at airports and even through metro/subway entrances - which all have scanners for all luggage and bags nowadays). The best of it is called ‘Mountai’ and can cost over a thousand RMB. Baijiu is not suitable for mixing with soft drinks, as Vodka often can be. Do not try it, as firstly it tastes even worse and secondly it'd destroy you even quicker than the pure version. Adding juice to baijiu is considered wrong and not encouraged. In the north, it's considered very much a man's drink and it's not uncommon to see large, loud, round-tables of smoking men drinking it up, toast after toast. But, feel free to join the baijiu fest if you're a female at the table! Some ladies do drink it, but mostly only modestly. The majority leave it to the men.

It's also seldom drank when you are alone, or even as a bar drink. They usually save it for special occasions. Like many things in China, the social aspect is often more important than what's on the table, be in baijiu or the food.

Anyway, be warned, foreigners to China often find it way too strong and the aftertaste can be powerful. To say the least. Baijiu burps can last hours and are a dead giveaway if you need to go back home, to work or meet someone else! That said, it's worth a go as part of experiencing China in it's fullest. Be warned with the cheap baijiu though, the aftertaste can be lethal. Usually sold in small green bottles. It's one of those things where quality really does matter and if you get the best stuff, you won't get (much) of a hangover. It's also best avoided mixing with other drinks, as mentoned. Many an expat tale has been told while drunk on baijiu! 

A quick note to say that alternatives to baijiu are white wine, red white or just beer, when at formal meal occasions.

• The most popular alcoholic drink is beer. Find out their drinking habits and customs HERE.