What is this Chinese booze?

January 31, 2014 10:30 AM

Gong Hei Fat Choi! My beloved was given this bottle of booze but has no idea what it is - can anyone ID this bad boy? Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3. Thanks!
posted by Carravanquelo to Food & Drink (8 answers total)

Best answer: It's Shaoxing Rice Wine.
posted by the latin mouse at 10:38 AM on January 31, 2014

Response by poster: Bam! Thanks TLM! Do you know how it should be consumed? Hot, cold, room temperature?
posted by Carravanquelo at 10:39 AM on January 31, 2014

Best answer: It makes a fab marinade, but if you're drinking it you want it room temp or warmed.
posted by the latin mouse at 10:48 AM on January 31, 2014

Response by poster: Amazing, thank you!
posted by Carravanquelo at 10:48 AM on January 31, 2014

Best answer: It's a special type of Shaoxing rice wine called Huatiao, popular in Taiwan. Drink it warmed in the wintertime. Add a dried sour plum for the real local experience.
posted by mono blanco at 12:19 PM on January 31, 2014 [2 favorites]

You ought to taste it at least, but in my experience clear Chinese spirits are basically firewater.
posted by BobbyDigital at 12:54 PM on January 31, 2014 [3 favorites]

Add some crystal sugar if you so prefer!
posted by misozaki at 3:29 PM on January 31, 2014 [1 favorite]

Taiwanese American here, seconding the salty plum, because that actually turns the stuff delicious.
posted by salix at 1:50 AM on February 2, 2014 [2 favorites]