In general, it is best to drink expensive Baijiu straight, so as to savor its complex flavor. For instance, Luzhou Laojiao (Zisha) Baijiu — which is considered an expensive Baijiu — is best imbibed straight, as it has a full-bodied, rich flavor and is listed as one of China’s “Intangible Cultural Heritage” items. It is made at one of the oldest distilleries in China and is a baijiu that deserves to be experienced on its own terms.
On the other hand, cheaper Baijiu lends itself well to being mixed in cocktails. We recommend purchasing Mianzhu Daqu (Laohao) Baijiu for mixing in cocktails, as it is a less expensive Baijiu, and its tropical fruit and floral notes enhance just about any cocktail.