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Warm Shaoxing Wine with Ginger
Warm Shaoxing wine with shredded ginger and a little dark sugar is the time-honored way to drink it in Shaoxing, Zhejiang. It warms you up and pairs beautifully with rich dishes like braised pork belly and poached chicken.
π· Please drink responsibly and only if you are of legal drinking age. Avoid alcohol if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or driving.
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π The Story Behind This Drink
Shaoxing wine is the best-known huangjiu, a rice wine brewed from glutinous rice and wheat koji. Locals warm it in ceramic flasks in a hot-water bath in winter, often with shredded ginger or dried plums. Xianheng Tavern, the setting of a Lu Xun story, still serves it warm.
π Where itβs enjoyed: In an old Shaoxing tavern in winter, people pour warm wine into small bowls and chat over plates of stewed broad beans.
π₯ Ingredients (serves 2)
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Shaoxing Wine
300ml
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Ginger
1 knob (about 10g)
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Dark Brown Sugar
1β2 tsp
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Water
for the hot-water bath
π©βπ³ Instructions
Peel the ginger and cut into fine shreds.
Put the wine, ginger, and sugar in a heatproof flask or small pot.
Bring a pot of water to a boil, turn off the heat, and stand the flask in it. Warm 5β7 minutes to about 45β50Β°C (hot to hold).
Stir gently to dissolve the sugar and pour into small cups.
π‘ Tips for Success
- Direct heat drives off the aroma, so warm it slowly in a water bath. In a microwave, heat at 600W in 40-second bursts.
- A dried plum (huamei) adds a sweet-sour note like the taverns of Shaoxing. Serving it with rock sugar is a style that spread in Japan.
- Long-aged Shaoxing wine is lovely warmed on its own. Please drink responsibly and only if of legal drinking age.
