Ching Shih Cocktail

About

The Ching Shih cocktail at Opium is named after a very famous Chinese lady pirate leader who terrorised the China Seas during the Jiaqing Emperor period of the Qing dynasty in the early 19th-century. She commanded over 300 junks (traditional Chinese sailing ships) manned by 20,000 to 40,000 pirates — men, women, and even children. She entered into conflict with the major nations, such as the British Empire, the Portuguese Empire, and the Qing dynasty.

Ching Shih and her crew’s exploits had since been featured in numerous books, novels, video games, and films about piracy, pirates and their way of life in China as well as worldwide. She is widely considered to be the most successful pirate in history, based on the fact that she commanded the largest crew ever assembled, and that she died in her own bed as a free woman.

Our “Opium” gin has been created in partnership with “That Boutique-y Gin Company”. Our gin is inspired by the flavours of London Chinatown and includes botanical such as ginger, Szechuan pepper and Budha’s hand. Filled with spice and citrus notes. To find a similar Gin, Beefeater London Dry Gin would be a pretty good replacement.

Ching Shih cocktail is great for Summer, fresh and fruity with a nice citrus sour notes and a creamy fruity finish from the guava! Part of our Opium Signature menu!

Method

Shaken and dry shaken – double strain – Decorated with “burlesque” bitters and a lemongrass on stem.

Method for the House-made guava puree 

Peel and cut in large cubes the guava. Slice the lemongrass in half. Add all other ingredients and bring to simmer for 30min. Remove the lemongrass and process the lot into a blender. Pass through a fine chinois and dispose.