The clatter of mah-jongg tiles has echoed through teahouses since the Qing dynasty, serving as a social ritual where high-stakes strategy meets spirited conversation. Originating in nineteenth-century China, this “game of a thousand hands” remains a thrilling dance of skill, memory, and intuition. Cool off your next hot game with a chilled martini infused with regional flavors, such as luscious lychee, warm five-spice, delicate rose tea, crisp Asian pear, and vibrant yuzu.
Dot-Crack-Boom!
This smoky lychee martini packs the same fiery energy as a winning mah-jongg hand
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 oz. artisanal espadín mezcal, such as Rey Campero or Mal Bien
- 1 1/4 oz. premium sake, such as Junmai or Junmai Ginjo
-
1 1/2 oz. lychee nectar
(recipe below) - 3/4 oz. fresh lime juice
- Whole lychee to garnish
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker packed tight with ice. Shake aggressively for 15 seconds until the shaker frosts over. Double-strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a whole lychee.
Lychee Nectar Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh lychees
- 1/4 cup simple syrup
OR
- 1 cup canned lychees, liquid drained
- 1/4 cup canned lychee liquid
Add all ingredients into a blender and blitz until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove pulp and chill.
The Dynasty Manhattan
Deep, moody, and complex, this five-spice-inflected Manhattan is perfect for the long-game player
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz. Japanese whisky, preferably a robust blend like Nikka Whisky From the Barrel
- 1/2 oz. strong aroma baijiu, such as Ming River or Mianzhu Daqu
- 3/4 oz. sweet vermouth, such as Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino
- 1/2 oz. chilled five-spice simple syrup (recipe below)
- 2 dashes Angostura Aromatic Bitters
- 1 dash orange bitters
- Orange peel
- Brandied cherry to garnish
Place all ingredients (except orange peel and garnish) into a cocktail shaker and stir gently with large ice cubes for 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled glass, express with an orange peel, and garnish with a brandied cherry.
Five-Spice Simple Syrup Ingredients
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 whole star anise
- 1 small cinnamon stick, split
- 1/2 tsp. fennel seeds
- 1/2 tsp. whole cloves
- 1/2 tsp. Sichuan peppercorns
- Alternatively, replace all spices with 1 tbsp. five-spice blend
Combine the water and sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer until the sugar dissolves. Stir in the spices, remove from heat, and allow the spices to steep for 15 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh sieve and let cool completely before using.
The Silk Road Sip
This silky, floral martini brings the soothing comfort of milk tea straight to the cardroom
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz. floral gin, such as Roku Gin or Glendalough Wild Rose Gin
- 1 1/2 oz. creamy pink nigori, such as Niwa no Uguisu Doburoku Pink or Ozeki Nigori Strawberry
- 1 oz. strong brewed black tea, such as Ceylon or Assam, chilled
- 2 dashes food-grade rose water
- Mochi to garnish
Combine the gin, nigori, black tea, and rose water in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for 12 to 15 seconds. Double-strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with mochi.
The Jade Empress
Light and beautifully fragrant, this elegant elixir mirrors the grace of the elusive bonus tiles
Ingredients
- 1 oz. vodka, such as St. George All Purpose Vodka
- 3/4 oz. St. George Pear Brandy
- 1 oz. fresh pressed Asian pear juice
- 1/2 oz. jasmine green tea syrup (recipe below)
- 1/2 oz. lemon juice
- Asian pear slices to garnish
Combine all ingredients in an ice-filled cocktail shaker and shake until frosted. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with fanned Asian pear slices.
- Jasmine Green Tea Syrup Ingredients
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 jasmine green tea bags
Combine the water and sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat. Steep the tea bags in the hot syrup for 10 minutes. Discard bags and chill.
The East Wind Awakening
Keep your wits sharp with this bright and citrusy play on the breakfast martini
Ingredients
- 1 heaping barspoon yuzu or orange marmalade
- 1 3/4 oz. citrus-forward gin, such as Citadelle
- 1/2 oz. Ferrand Yuzu Dry Curaçao
- 1/2 oz. lemon juice
- Sweet sesame cracker with yuzu marmalade and slice to garnish
Dissolve the marmalade in the gin inside a cocktail shaker. Add the remaining ingredients with ice and shake enthusiastically. Fine strain into a coupe glass. Serve with a sesame cracker topped with yuzu marmalade and slice.
Story Credits:
Shot by Palm Beach Illustrated at 317 Peruvian Avenue, Palm Beach, during a pop-up with Society Social
