The Chinese Cocktail is a vintage rum drink that combines Jamaica rum with grenadine, bitters, maraschino, and curaçao for a bold, fruity profile. Its balance of sweet and aromatic notes makes it a standout from classic cocktail traditions.
Recipe Source
Visit Mr. Boston DrinksFrom Mr. Boston Drinks · by Old Mr. Boston DeLuxe Official Bartender's Guide
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Shake well with cracked ice and strain into 3 oz.
Cocktail glass.
Cocktails must be consumed immediately after preparation; do not store or make ahead.
mixing glass · bar spoon · jigger · Hawthorne strainer
Jamaica rum—specifically funky, full-bodied varieties like Appleton or Smith's—is traditional and essential to the drink's character. Gold or dark rums work if Jamaica rum isn't available.
This recipe is best stirred with ice for 30 seconds to chill and dilute gently, preserving the spirit-forward character. Strain into a coupe or cocktail glass.
Curaçao adds orange notes and complexity. You can omit it, but the drink will lose depth. Orange bitters or a splash of orange liqueur are reasonable substitutes.
The base ratio is 2:1 rum to grenadine. Keep bitters, maraschino, and curaçao proportional: scale all ingredients equally if doubling or halving.
One dash = roughly 1/8 teaspoon or 2–3 drops from a standard bottle. Use a dasher bottle or Angostura-style shaker cap for consistency.
