Friday afternoon marks the end of a long workweek and the sweet release of the weekend – and I'm feeling adventurous. Baijiu is a Chinese spirit with a huge and loyal fan base, but I've heard all sorts of hyperbolic commentary about the high alcohol content and pungent taste.

To try it out for myself, I wander through Beijing's hutongs (alleys formed by the city's traditional courtyard homes) and discover a baijiu bar tucked away in an artsy, up-and-coming neighborhood. 

I order a flight of baijiu shots and get an introduction to what baijiu is all about: sharp, bitter, and very strong, in my opinion. Let's just say it's probably not for the faint of heart. At this particular bar though, baijiu also comes in the form of cocktails featuring different juices, syrups, and bitters. Now we're talking! Care to join me for a drink?

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(Video edited by Li Hui)