Hot Pot, Cold Drinks: Exploring Beverage Pairings For Chinese Hot Pot

Chinese hot pot is a warm and comforting communal meal shared among family and close friends. It's a great way to entertain big social gatherings, especially during Chinese New Year. The food is cooked and enjoyed hot straight out of the broth in small batches, making it a longer meal that allows for chit-chat with friends and family.

Hot pot is a dining experience universally loved by Chinese people. The idea is simple: assemble a selection of raw vegetables, meats, seafood, and starches, then cook them in a boiling pot of flavoured broth. It's a deeply communal method of eating – ingredients are meant to be leisurely cooked and enjoyed as a group over several hours, preferably accompanied by drinks.

There are no hard and fast rules for what to drink with Chinese hot pot. Many people enjoy alcoholic beverages such as Chinese bai jiu, beer, or sake. However, non-alcoholic options such as iced green or jasmine tea, or suan mei tang (cold sour plum tea) are also good choices.

Beer, wine, or spirits

Hot pot is a very social meal, so it's important to have a good drink to share with your friends and family. Beer is a popular choice, and you can't go wrong with a light beer like Tsingtao, or any light ale or lager. If you're feeling adventurous, try a hoppy IPA, which can help to cut through the spice. If you want to stick to tradition, try Bai Jiu, a Chinese sorghum liquor.

If you're looking for a wine to pair with your hot pot, aromatic whites are a good choice. Try a Viognier, Moscato, Torrontes, or Grüner Veltliner. If you're eating a spicy hot pot, try a white with a tinge of sweetness. For a fried hot pot, sparkling wine is a great option.

If you want to stick to spirits, then you can always drink what the Chinese do and go for Bai Jiu, a strong liquor.

Tea

If you are eating a spicy hot pot, such as Chongqing Spicy Hot Pot, a mild tea can help to cool down your palate. Green tea is a good option as it has a refreshing flavour. To make the most of your green tea, use bottled water with a high mineral content, such as Evian.

If you are eating a milder hot pot, such as Beijing-style Lamb Hot Pot, you might want to opt for a tea with a stronger flavour that will complement the food without overwhelming it. Oolong tea is a good option, and it is best brewed in a clay teapot made from "Purple Clay" (Zisha) from the Yixing region of China.

When preparing Chinese tea, it is important to pay attention to the water temperature. Green teas should be brewed at 110°-160°F, white teas at 175°-195°F, semifermented teas at 195°-210°F, and black teas at 210°F. It is also important to warm your teapot by filling it ⅓ to ½ full of hot water, then discarding the water before adding your tea leaves and brewing water.

Water

In some regions of China, such as Beijing, a simple broth made with water and a few aromatics is preferred. This style of broth is also known as "Qing Tang Guo Di" or clear broth. It provides a clean-tasting base that allows the flavours of the dipped ingredients to shine through.

Hot pot is often served without rice or noodles on the side, so the broth made with water becomes an important part of the meal, providing hydration and complementing the other ingredients.

Additionally, hot water has cultural and health significance in China. It is viewed as a health tonic, aiding digestion, improving circulation, and detoxification, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Hot water is also believed to be safer to drink than cold water, as boiling water kills bacteria and ensures cleanliness.

In conclusion, water plays a crucial role in Chinese hot pot, both as a key ingredient in the broth and as a beverage that aligns with cultural traditions and health beliefs.

Carbonated drinks

Soda

Soda is a popular choice for a refreshing beverage to accompany a hearty hot pot meal. In China, you can find a variety of sodas, including local and international brands. Some popular options include:

• Coca-Cola
• Pepsi
• Fanta
• Mountain Dew
• Sprite
• 7 Up

Sparkling Water

For a more healthy and hydrating option, sparkling water can be a great choice to pair with hot pot. Some popular sparkling water brands in China include:

• Dayao
• Genki Forest
• Ocean Bomb
• QDOL

Fruit-flavoured Sodas

Fruit-flavoured sodas can add a touch of sweetness and refreshment to your hot pot meal. Here are some ideas:

• Jarritos (strawberry, mango, guava, lime, mandarin, pineapple, grapefruit)
• Kawaji Hatsune Miku (ice cream, apple, summer fruit, orange, blueberry, cherry vanilla)
• Ocean Bomb Saint Seiya (apple yogurt, grape yogurt, peach yogurt)

Sports Drinks

Sports drinks can be a good option to stay hydrated while enjoying spicy hot pot. Some options include:

• Pocari Sweat
• Gatorade
• Powerade

Remember, when choosing drinks to pair with Chinese hot pot, it's essential to consider the flavours and spices of the dish, as well as your personal preferences. Enjoy experimenting with different drinks to find your perfect match!

Juice

While hot pot is a popular dish in China, it can be spicy, so it's recommended to drink a little fruit juice or a yogurt drink before eating it to help your stomach manage the spice. A freshly made watermelon juice is a good pairing with Chinese hot pot, as is hot green tea.

If you're making hot pot at home, you could also try making a watermelon juice, or perhaps a glass of wine. A Riesling from France or a Chardonnay from South Africa would be good white wine options, while an Australian or Californian Cabernet-Sauvignon or Point Noir are recommended reds.

Frequently asked questions