Quick: Name the number-one selling spirit in the world. Vodka? Nope. Whiskey? Not even close. It’s actually baijiu, made in China, and pronounced, roughly, “bye-joe.”
If you’ve been on a business trip to China, or know someone who has, you’ve got a strong opinion about this earth-mushroom-stinky-feet smelling, high-proof shooter, and most likely it’s negative. However, a handful of bartenders and new brands are hoping you’ll take another look and make baijiu the next big thing in cocktails.