Finding baijiu in some surprising places

In your coffee

Pacific Coffee introduced coffee drinks with baijiu in 2011 after the company re-entered the China market a year earlier, when it was acquired by China Resources Enterprises. "Inspired by the traditional Chinese mainland 'ganbei' culture, we wanted to create something that signifies our brand's DNA of the 'Eastmeets-West'," says company spokesperson Eugenie Kan.

After six months of trial and error, and a big promotion during China's National Day holiday last year, the company has added five more flavors to its Chinese liquor coffee selection as promotional drinks. Two sets of hot drinks are based on yellow wine, including Hua Diao (in the "Blooming Flowers under the Full Moon" series) and Kuei Hua Chen (in the "Gentleman's Desire" series), with hints of mocha or chocolate. Meanwhile, the stronger white Erguotou－made milder by blending with fruity flavors－underpins the "Tough Man with a Tender Heart" series that's served cold.

These drinks are available in all mainland stores and selected stores in Hong Kong. Since launched, it was particularly well received in the western and the northern regions of China, especially cities like Xi'an, Chengdu and Shenyang.

In your burger

Baijiu is often considered too coarse for the dandy city of Shanghai these days. But when it comes to fusion, Shanghai is more than ready to seek adventure, as in the Carl's Jr beef burger with baijiu-infused barbecue sauce. Created by the US fast-food chain to celebrate both its 75th anniversary and the upcoming Rio Carnival, it's offered exclusively at its Shanghai outlets. The otherwise standard burger, now branded as Summer Moonlight, is served with less-than-1-milliliter of the alcohol each. The idea is to get the burger "intoxicated" instead of the diner－and to make the beef milder and a little less greasy. The burger is available till the end of August, priced at 34 yuan ($5.12) or 50 yuan for a set.

Contact the writers through Michaelpeters@chinadaily.com.cn