Chinese Caipirinha

Caipirinha the favorite drink from Brazil is made from cane spirit (Cachaca), brown sugar and lime fruits. Before becomeing mondane it was is a simple drink people in rural areas enjoyed. Maybe someone else already had the idea of pimping up cheap Chinese sorghum spirit (called Er Guo Tou 二锅头, meaning double destilled, usually between 80 and 140 proof) with other local ingedients. In Lithuania and other Baltic countries for example, they use vodka with chilies and honey. In China I found an excellent match with ginger. Cut thin slices from a fresh ginger root, put in a glass and cover with the spirit. And a very small amount of sugar to avoid headache. The sugar only adds taste. Use brown cane sugar if available. Stir and wait 20 minutes before enjoying …

It makes a really cozy and warming drink in winter. In summer try with ice and some drops of lemon juice. If you want a warm „shot“ you can also try to warm part of the spirit in a tightly closed bottle in hot water and mix with the spirit which has soaked the ginger.
Very popular in China during winter is hot Coke with ginger: Heat up Coke in a pot to approx. 60°C while adding thin slices of ginger. Enjoy while hot. It cures almost every cold!