Toasting in the Chinese New Year

    The Red Lotus cocktail

Chinese New Year, which officially arrived on Valentine's Day this year, is celebrated for more than a single night. And, it is a perfect time for cocktail aficionadoes to try something not widely known about that culture.

It has a cocktail-friendly atmosphere.

So, no matter your heritage, try these at your own New Year's celebration in this Year of the Tiger.

RED LOTUS

Rhonda Parkinson, About.com's Chinese food guide, came up with this one from her research. It is popular in China itself as well as worldwide, in slightly varying forms.

1½ ounces vodka

1½ ounces Lichido Liqueur

1 ounce cranberry juice

Pour the vodka, Lichido (a lychee-flavored liqueur) and cranberry juice into a cocktail shaker with fresh ice. Shake well. Strain into a chilled Old Fashioned glass filled with ice or into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with pitted lychees on a cocktail pick or with a lotus blossom.

WIZARD OF OZ

This  is a currently popular concoction at the new Lantern Club which opened last month in Beijing at the busy 3.3 Mall.

1 part vodka

1 part Midori or other melon liqueur

1 part fresh pineapple juice

Put all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with fresh ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled martini glass. (For a sweeter drink, use canned pineapple juice and don't strain the mixture). Garnish with a green melon slice.

CHINESE MARY

Lila Voo, Chinese food editor of the woman-oriented BellaOnline, offers this twist on a familiar Western favorite.

1½ ounces vodka

3 ounces sweet-and-sour sauce

½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

3 drops Tabasco

½ teaspoon lemon juice

1 pineapple wheel

Put the vodka, sweet-and-sour sauce, Worcestershire, Tabasco and lemon juice in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously, pour over fresh ice in an Old Fashioned glass, garnish with the pineapple.