This collection of Asian Inspired Drinks includes something for everyone. There are hot and cold tea and coffees, soft drinks, sake, soju and Japanese whisky cocktails and everything in between. I’ve even included bubble teas! You’ll find your perfect accompaniment to any Asian style feast!
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Just like with the food, the key to serving drinks is to set things up so that guests can help themselves as much as possible. You should have less waste and everyone gets exactly what they want whilst relieving you of some running around.
This list of drinks was compiled to accompany my collection of Asian Feast recipes. The photos from this page are all taken from a feast I cooked. I’ve included lots of advice of what drinks to serve, when and how in that post so do check that out in addition to the notes in this post.
When You Say ‘Asian’….?
As a note, I would point out that when I’ve talked about ‘Asian’ drinks, I have not included those inspired by Western Asia. I am working on also putting together a guide to the drinks of that region in the future.
For now, this guide focuses on areas such as Japan, Korea, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore amongst others in that general geographical area.
Asian Inspired Hot Drinks
As with most cuisines, tea and coffee form the basis for most Asian hot drinks. Tea is especially prevalent with various varieties like green, black and smoky lapsang souchong available.
This first offering contains both coffee and tea. I think it sounds like an error but apparently Hong Kong & Malaysia both go especially mad for it!
Yuan Yang – Tea, Coffee, and Milk – Daily Cooking Quest
Hot Tea Based Drinks
Matcha Green Tea Latte – Natalie’s health
Honey Lemongrass Ginger Tea – Much Butter
Korean-Style Roasted Rice Tea – The Spruce Eats
Hot Coffee Based Drinks
Vietnamese Yogurt Coffee – Delightful Plate
Vietnamese Egg Coffee – Love Swah
A Bonus Hot Cocktail
warm cocktail with lapsang souchong, whisky & lemon – Drizzle & Dip
Asian Inspired Soft Drinks
I am aware that not everyone drinks alcohol. So I have put together a selection of non-alcoholic drinks which can be enjoyed by everyone.
Iced Tea & Coffee Drinks
With tea being such a staple in the region, there are endless varieties of it which are also served cold. Iced matcha drinks are especially popular. Matcha is a preparation of ground green tea leaves which are used whole rather than steeped and strained like other tea leaves.
Peach Matcha Smoothie – Recipes From A Pantry
Matcha Green Tea Ginger Beer – Oh How Civilized
Coconut Milk Thai Iced Coffee – What Great Grandma Ate
Smoky Iced Tea – Martha Stewart
Peach, Orange & Lemongrass Iced Tea – Full of Plants
Non-Alcoholic Cold Drinks
Pineapple & Coconut Smoothie – Fab Food 4 All
Cherry Almond Moon Milk – Marisa Moore
Sparkling Vietnamese Limeade – Steamy Kitchen/Katies Cucina
Lychee and Mint Cooler – The Yellow Daal
Asian Inspired Alcoholic Drinks
Here I’ve included cocktails which utilise Asian spirits. I’ve also some which include the flavours synanons with the region such as lemongrass, yuzu and cherry blossom to twist classics.
Soju Based Cocktails
Most people I meet are shocked to find out that soju is the biggest selling spirit by volume in the world. They’re mostly surprised because they’ve never heard of it! I hadn’t either until I went to South Korea.
Soju is a clear rice based spirit that can be bought in endless flavoured varieties. It is cheap as chips, available everywhere and delicious.
You should be able to find a bottle in your local Asian grocers. If not, Amazon has a selection of Soju available. Sadly it is not cheap as chips outside of Korea!
Korean Mule – A Bar Above
Strawberry Soju Slushie – How To Be Awesome
Korean Yogurt Soju – The Spruce Eats
Sake Based Cocktails
Sake is a more commonly known, and more readily available spirit from Japan. It is also clear and rice based. It is available to buy almost everywhere, including the major supermarkets.
I made the Sake Shandy for my feast. These are the beery looking pictures in this post!
Sake Shandy – The Drink Blog
Saketini – Shake Drink Repeat
Sake Sangria – Cake n Knife
Japanese Whisky Based Cocktails
Don’t be fooled into thinking that Scotland, Ireland and Kentucky have the monopoly on Whisky/Whiskey! Japan has over 20 distilleries and is drunk and served just like the other varieties.
It is a little harder to find than sake but any of the major booze retailers will likely be able to source some. Amazon will also provide you with a selection of Japanese Whisky. At a price! You could of course substitute a scotch (just don’t tell anyone!)
Strawberry Whisky Cocktail – Gastronom
Japanese Maple – Cocktail Collective
Best of the Rest Asian Inspired Cocktails
I’ve put together a further selection of classics, twists on classics and absolute liberties for you to try!
You’ll see pictures of a version of the Thai Peanut Colada throughout this page. Unfortunately the recipe has now been taken offline and idiot me didn’t save it anywhere.
Gin and Melon Slushie – Fuss Free Flavours
Matcha Cucumber Cocktail – Recipes From A Pantry
Caramelized Banana Coconut Bamboo Cocktail – Craft & Cocktails
Yuzu Sidecar – Honestly Yum
Cherry Blossom Cocktail – Gastronom
Frozen Thai Margaritas – Peanut Butter & Fitness
Bubble Tea
Bubble tea is an absolute oddity. I haven’t tried it and I don’t want to. But it is a massive thing all over Asia.
The bubbles are made from tapioca pearls which feel gelatinous. Don’t confuse the pearls with tapioca flour – that will not make for a good drink! Don’t forget you’ll need extra wide straws!
Matcha Bubble Tea (Boba Tea Recipe) – Real + Vibrant
Mango Boba – Sprinkle Bakes
Drinkware for Asian Feasts
In the main, what drinking vessels you need will obviously depend on what drinks you are choosing to serve.
Mugs, Cups and Saucers
I have a selection of handle-less mugs which I use for my green tea. The concept is ridiculous really as I burn my hands every time but I won’t be stopped. I started drinking green tea in Wagamamas and I like to pretend that I’m there when I’m drinking it now!
It is unlikely that your friends are going to want more than one type of hot drink at an evening meal. So one mug or cup per person will likely be sufficient.
For a larger crowd, unless you can hire some mugs or are willing to buy a bunch of cheap ones, you could buy some disposable (recyclable) cups which are available in a few different sizes.
Glassware
This will again be very dependent on what you choose to serve.
I would expect to have a minimum of one small tumbler available per person. This allows for a water glass each.
If serving a short cocktail, you’ll need another tumbler each. I often use some slightly fancier glasses for my cocktails. Or my current favourite option is to use these lovely jam jars.
Hi-ball tumblers are ideal for soft drinks, longer cocktails, slushies, milkshakes and hardshakes. One per person, per drink will be needed.
For my Asian Feast I used champagne flutes to serve one of my cocktails. Don’t be restricted by the name of a glass, use them for whatever you please.
You will likely wish to have at least one pitcher/jug of water on the table. This cork lidded number is my current favourite option from Ikea. A similar jug can also be used for any pitcher cocktails that you wish to serve.
For larger crowds, glasses can often be hired from wine shops and supermarkets so this might be worth looking into. Otherwise children’s or picnic tumblers can made a handy substitute.
Alcohol – When the Fun Stops, Stop!
As I’ve provided you with a whole bunch of alcoholic drink suggestions, it would be remiss of me to not remind you to be sensible.
Please don’t pressure your guests into drinking, drinking more than they want to or having ‘just one more for the road’. Especially if they’re driving.
The industry standard is to tell you to “drink responsibly”. To me that sounds like they want you to recycle all wine bottles.
I much prefer the gambling industry’s slogan. “When the Fun Stops, Stop”. I think that applies to both drinking on the day and generally in life.
So if the fun has stopped, do indeed stop. Have a look over at www.drinkaware.co.uk if you need some help doing just that.
Still Have Questions?
Simple! Just contact me and I will do my best to help as quickly as I am able. Head over to my Contact Me page, any of my social media channels or post a comment at the bottom of this page and I’ll see what I can do.
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CAMILLA HAWKINS says
What a fabulous selection of drinks! I have never had a drink with peanut butter in it so really want to try these now!
cedges says
Thanks – I had lots of fun putting it together! The peanut colada was great although it did take a few sips to get my head around and I did add a tiny bit extra simple syrup to mine! Def worth a try.