The Top 8 China Drinks You Should Try

When traveling through China, you may have trouble finding your most beloved beverages from back home, unless your favorite drink is Coca-Cola, in which case you'll have no problem. If Coke isn't your thing, though, have no fear. China has plenty of its own delectable drinks to offer. Here's a list of must-try drinks for your trip to China.
Teas
1. Chrysanthemum tea — to say that there is no shortage in tea varieties in China is putting it very, very lightly. The first and most traditional of the teas covered in this article is the refreshing chrysanthemum tea, with its nice floral aroma. Many drink it as a remedy for ailments from the common cold to neurological disorders, though it's a soothing beverage choice regardless of your health status.
2. Milk tea — This popular Taiwanese treat with a smooth creamy feel and bitter aftertaste can be found all over China in various combinations of flavors. One popular form is bubble milk tea, which has tapioca bubbles in the bottom and is often sweetened with various fruit flavors. Large chains such as Coco and Happy Lemon as well as smaller stands can be found all over China. Served hot or cold, it's a great drink for winter or summer.
3. Wang Lao Ji tea — commonly referred to by expats simply as "the tea in the red cans", this is one of the most popular brands of tea. It goes especially well with spicy food and, as is common in Chinese tea brands, contains traditional Chinese medicine, so you can be sure you're drinking healthy.
Chinese Tea Menu
English
Chinese
Pronunciation
Characters
Green Tea
lǜchá
lyoo-chaa
绿茶
Black Tea
hóngchá
hong-chaa
红茶
Wulong Tea
wūlóngchá
oo-long-chaa
乌龙茶
Chrysanthemum Tea
júhuā chá
jyoo-hwaa-chaa
菊花茶
Jasmine Tea
mòlìhuā chá
mor-lee-hwaa-chaa
茉莉花茶
Mixed Herb Tea
liángchá
lyang-chaa
凉茶
Hong Kong Style Milk Tea
Sīwà nǎichá
srr-waa neye-chaa
丝袜奶茶
Fruity Drinks
4. Plum juice — made from Chinese plums and sweetened with a bit of sugar, it's the Chinese drink of choice for relief on sweltering summer days. It can be found on some street corners, or the most famous plum juice brand can be recognized by its famous short, fat jars.
Mai Dong, a popular sport dink
5. Arctic Ocean Orange Soda (Beijing) — This refreshing, naturally flavored orange soda has been through a lot. Until the 1990's when Arctic Ocean was bought out by Pepsi, the brand's orange soda was the soda for many consumers in China. Its iconic polar bear logo on glass bottles is something many adults still remember fondly, and now it's back. As of 2012, Arctic Ocean is now independently run and back on shelves — at least in Beijing, for now. You'll find it at almost any neighborhood shop for about 3 rmb.
6. Mai Dong (脉动) Sports Drink — This sports drink in a blue bottle comes in a number of fruit flavors and is China's version of an enhanced fitness water. It has just a slight touch of sweetness that pleases the taste buds but does not overdo it for the perfect post-exercise thirst quencher.
Alcoholic Beverages
7. Qingdao beer — Easily the most popular Chinese beer domestically and worldwide, there is no shortage of the German-style beer anywhere you go. With its light taste and low alcohol content, it's a highly drinkable beer whether you're looking for a single happy hour drink or enjoying a night on the town.
8. Baijiu — China's national liquor is not for the faint of heart. Ranging from 40 to a whopping 60% alcohol by volume content, it's a drink you won't soon forget, though the same thing may not be said of a night of baijiu consumption.
Ordering Drinks — Chinese Restaurant Drinks Menu
English
Chinese
Pronunciation
Characters
Coke
Kělè
ker-ler
可乐
Sprite
Xuěbì
sshwair-bee
雪碧
Beer
Píjiǔ
pee-jyoh
啤酒
Rice Wine
Báijiǔ
beye-jyoh
白酒
Red (Grape) Wine
Hóngjiǔ
hong-jyoh
红酒
White (Grape) Wine
Bái pútáojiǔ
beye poo-taoww-jyoh
白葡萄酒
Fresh Fruit Juice
Xiān zhà guǒzhī
sshyen jaa gwor-jrr
鲜榨果汁
Apple Juice
Píngguǒ zhī
ping-gwor jrr
苹果汁
Pear Juice
Lí zhī
lee jrr
梨汁
Orange Juice
Júzi zhī
joo-dzrr jrr
橘子汁
Orange Juice
Chéngzhī
chnng jrr
橙汁
Banana Juice
Xiāngjiāo zhī
sshyang-jyaoww jrr
香蕉汁
Pineapple Juice
Bōluó zhī
bor-lor jrr
菠萝汁
Mango Juice
Mángguǒ zhī
mung-gwor jrr
芒果汁
Watermelon Juice
Xīguā zhī
sshee-gwaa jrr
西瓜汁
Cucumber Juice
Huángguā zhī
hwung-gwaa jrr
黄瓜汁
Coconut Juice
Yēzi zhī
yeah-dzrr jrr
椰子汁
Get What You Want from a China Tour
If you are planning a Chinese tour, please See Chinese food tour below for inspiration. the tours are fully customizable, and the guides are flexible and there to help, allowing you to choose what you want on your tour of China, down to the drinks.
· 8 Days Beijing – Xi'an – Shanghai Private Tour — the golden triangle