How to drink baijiu: Beijing’s pros share their tips

Serenitie Wang
By Serenitie Wang, CNN
5 minute read
Updated 11:44 AM EST, Mon November 13, 2017
<strong>Moutai: </strong>Chinese men toast each other as they drink Moutai, the most famous brand of baijiu. Distilled from sorghum and rice, the spirit is the tipple of choice for everything from wedding receptions to business banquets.
Moutai: Chinese men toast each other as they drink Moutai, the most famous brand of baijiu. Distilled from sorghum and rice, the spirit is the tipple of choice for everything from wedding receptions to business banquets.
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<strong>Maotai, China:</strong> Chinese farmers carry sorghum grain across a bridge in Maotai. Sitting along China's Chishui River in the southwestern province of Guizhou, the town produces over half of the country's baijiu.
Maotai, China: Chinese farmers carry sorghum grain across a bridge in Maotai. Sitting along China's Chishui River in the southwestern province of Guizhou, the town produces over half of the country's baijiu.
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<strong>Fermentation: </strong>Chinese workers toss sorghum, one of the key ingredients used for locally made baijiu, in preparation for the first step of fermentation.
Fermentation: Chinese workers toss sorghum, one of the key ingredients used for locally made baijiu, in preparation for the first step of fermentation.
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<strong>Baijiu tourism:</strong> The Chinese government is now promoting <a href="http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-07/29/c_135550207.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank">baijiu tourism</a> in Maotai, giving visitors a chance to see how it's made.
Baijiu tourism: The Chinese government is now promoting baijiu tourism in Maotai, giving visitors a chance to see how it's made.
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<strong>Chishu River: </strong>China's most famous baijiu brands have long used the Chishu River as their prime water source. The area is also revered as the site of a 1935 revolutionary battle led by Mao Zedong during the historic Long March of the Red Army.
Chishu River: China's most famous baijiu brands have long used the Chishu River as their prime water source. The area is also revered as the site of a 1935 revolutionary battle led by Mao Zedong during the historic Long March of the Red Army.
Kevin Frayer/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
<strong>Labor intensive: </strong>A Chinese worker heats river water to be poured on the sorghum as it's prepared for fermentation.<br />
Labor intensive: A Chinese worker heats river water to be poured on the sorghum as it's prepared for fermentation.
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<strong>World's most popular spirit: </strong>Thanks to China's huge population, baijiu accounts for almost <a href="http://www.liquor.com/articles/baijiu/" target="_blank" target="_blank">a third of global spirit sales</a>. Euromonitor International, a London-based consultancy estimated about 5.5 billion liters, or 1.5 billion gallons of baijiu sold last year.
World's most popular spirit: Thanks to China's huge population, baijiu accounts for almost a third of global spirit sales. Euromonitor International, a London-based consultancy estimated about 5.5 billion liters, or 1.5 billion gallons of baijiu sold last year.
Kevin Frayer/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
<strong>Four types of baijiu: </strong>Vats of fermenting baijiu are covered with red cloth. Baijius are categorized by four aroma profiles: rice, light, strong and sauce.
Four types of baijiu: Vats of fermenting baijiu are covered with red cloth. Baijius are categorized by four aroma profiles: rice, light, strong and sauce.
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<strong>Saucy spirits:</strong> Sauce aroma baijiu has a savory taste. which some say resembles soy sauce. The most popular brand of sauce aroma baijiu is Moutai.
Saucy spirits: Sauce aroma baijiu has a savory taste. which some say resembles soy sauce. The most popular brand of sauce aroma baijiu is Moutai.
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<strong>Top-end baijiu:</strong> Once popular at state banquets, the best baijiu often sells for hundreds of dollars per bottle.
Top-end baijiu: Once popular at state banquets, the best baijiu often sells for hundreds of dollars per bottle.
Kevin Frayer/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
<strong>Searching for new fans: </strong>Distillers are trying to find new markets for baijiu as an anti-corruption campaign has clamped down on spending by government officials.
Searching for new fans: Distillers are trying to find new markets for baijiu as an anti-corruption campaign has clamped down on spending by government officials.
Kevin Frayer/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Baijiu: How the world's most popular spirit is made
Beijing CNN  — 

It’s the most widely drunk hard liquor in the world but it’s rarely found on cocktail menus.

Baijiu, distilled from sorghum and rice, rules every festive occasion in China, where it’s the tipple of choice for everything from wedding receptions to business banquets.

It’s especially popular during celebrations for the Lunar New Year, which began Saturday, when shot glasses filled with the potent spirit are thrown back and slammed down on the table in endless rounds of toasts.