China’s Iconic Spirit Meets Vancouver Mixology
Tonight we were learning more about baijiu through a two-night Chinese Trend Cocktail Pop-up at Laowai on Friday, September 19th and Saturday, September 20th, 2025.
Featuring Fenjiu, which is one of China’s oldest and most celebrated baijiu brands, with over 6,000 years of heritage. It is known for its clean and elegant flavour achieved through exceptional craftsmanship. Fenjiu has earned international recognition including the Grand Prize at the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition; and more recently the Best Cocktail Fusion & Innovation Award at the 2025 World Cocktail Championship in Moscow. With a growing presence in global mixology, Fenjiu continues to bridge Chinese tradition with modern cocktail culture and we would get to try some of that today, on this, the popup’s first night.
Held at Vancouver’s baijiu specialists and hidden bar Laowai, and hosted by mixologist Lingjie (LJ) Xue. The event showcased innovative cocktails inspired by Chinese flavours and modern mixology.
And it was tonight that I discovered that on top of being hidden behind the facade of a dumpling shop, Laowai, recently named among the top 100 bars in North America, has a secret bar within this secret bar. All the way at the back, behind the freezer door and behind the mirrored wall is a narrow corridor of a room. This is a small one person bar with three tables for intimate group seating. Here, we would enjoy a theatrical speakeasy experience with karaoke and creative cocktails featuring Fenjiu.
The intimate space allowed for easier mingling as everyone is in closer proximity to one another, playing and singing songs that we can all sing along to together. This was a great way to meet new people and a more casual way to sing and dance like no one is looking.
The three available from lightest to heaviest is Velvet Hour which is Fenjiu Baijiu, strawberry milk punch, earl grey essence, and cacao. Like a dessert in a glass, a strawberry slush without the ice. I wasn’t even aware that baijiu could be this light.
Buzz Road was your slightly boozier option with Fenjiu Baijiu, LJ’s rum blend, Aperol, and a pineapple honey spice. This was a tropical mix sweetened by the fruit and rum and tempered by the baijiu.
And lastly, the booziest of the lot is the Midnight Til Dawn with Fenjiu Baijiu, Hojicha, apricot, almond, coffee, and amaro. This is their fragrant take on an espresso martini.
And for those who like their spirits neat, you can order The Gold Passage which is a tasting of the Fenjiu Silkroad 10 Years. Served in specialty ceramic vessels and/or mini chalices, this was deceptively smooth with a roasted finish.
In short, this two day Popup is a great way to discover baijiu while highlighting its commercial appeal and versatility; bringing a taste of authentic Chinese spirits to Vancouver’s mixology scene.
Laowai
251 East Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V6A 176
laowai.ca
