GUANGZHOU, CHINA – Last week, USA Rice hosted the “U.S. Rice Liquor Innovation Sharing Session” here bringing together representatives from the Guangdong Provincial Alcoholic Beverage Industry Association, distilleries, bars, restaurants, and chain foodservice professionals to explore the advantages of U.S.-grown rice in producing rice-aroma liquor and craft beer. Attendees also had the opportunity to sample cocktails made with U.S. rice liquor.
During the session, USA Rice staff gave a presentation on the U.S. rice industry and the advantages of U.S. rice, highlighting that liquor brewed with U.S. rice offers a richer flavor and more pronounced aroma, making it highly suitable for both culinary and cocktail applications. Traditional Chinese cuisine often uses strong spirits to enhance aroma, and U.S. rice liquor can further elevate the characteristics of dishes, improving taste and fragrance. Whether used in meat, seafood, or vegetable dishes, the U.S. rice liquor performs exceptionally well in braising, stir-frying, and other cooking methods.
The event also featured insights from three experts in cocktails, Chinese liquor baijiu, and beer, who shared the benefits of using U.S. rice in alcohol production. Cocktail expert and award-winning mixologist Ms. Li Tong remarked, “I am impressed by the delicate yet lasting rice aroma and the sweet, floral, and nutty notes of U.S. rice liquor. It stands out both when enjoyed neat and in cocktails. The cocktails we crafted today are designed to be light and refreshing, aiming to highlight the distinct rice fragrance.”
A Chinese liquor baijiu expert and founding president of the Guangdong Provincial Alcoholic Beverage Industry Association outlined the simple production process of this rice-aroma baijiu. The U.S. rice liquor sample was brewed using U.S. purple, white, red, and brown rice, following traditional Guangdong rice wine techniques. Distilled to approximately 42-46 percent ABV, the resulting spirit offers a smooth, silky, sweet, and full-bodied taste with a rich rice aroma.
A beer expert highlighted the potential market opportunities of incorporating U.S. jasmine and Calrose rice in craft beer production.
U.S. rice-based liquors and cocktails were well-received at the event, earning positive feedback from distilleries and bar professionals. Attendees praised the high quality of spirits made with U.S. rice and expressed interest in learning more about U.S. rice pricing.
The event was supported by the Guangzhou Agricultural Trade Office who attended and endorsed U.S. rice.
To further promote U.S. rice liquor, cocktails, and beer, USA Rice will exhibit at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in November 2025, showcasing and promoting liquor and cocktails made with U.S. rice.