Drinks to celebrate the Year of the Horse

As people across the world celebrate Chinese New Year this weekend, we countdown the top five horse-inspired drinks to toast to the Year of the Horse.

We round up five drinks to mark the start of the Year of the Horse

Taking over from the water snake, the horse is part of a cycle of 12 animals constituting the Chinese Zodiac, which some bars and drinks-producers have marked with a series of innovative horse-inspired promotions and products.

From sporting whiskies and hay-based sparklers, to horsey cocktails and a Grand National rum, there are a surprising number of drinks out there to celebrate with this weekend.

Our list of five apt drinks to celebrate the start of the Year of the Horse are sure to leave you chomping at the bit …

Royal Salute World Polo Limited Edition

Polo – the “sport of Kings” and, indeed horses –is the focus of Royal Salute’s latest limited edition whisky.

This 21-year-old blend, released in select markets across the world and Global Travel Retail, was launched with a “sporting stripes” design and features the names and locations of Royal Salute World Polo events.

The whisky also capitalised on gifting for Chinese New Year and the Year of the Horse, offering customers a luxury gift-wrapping service “symbolising fortune and happiness in Chinese culture”.

Butter and Hay Champagne Cocktail

Why not celebrate the Year of the Horse as a horse would undoubtedly want you to celebrate it – with a hay-based cocktail?

Offered at Zetter Group’s Grain Store restaurant and bar, in London, the Butter and Hay Champagne Cocktail is a delicious, if somewhat avant-garde, combination of toasted butter and hay liquor and Champagne.

You’ll not be able to say neigh …

Red Leg Rum

While most people recall Red Rum as a phrase menacingly uttered by a creepy young boy in The Omen, others will remember Red Rum as the champion racehorse who achieved unrivalled success at various Grand National races in the 1970s.

Yet Red Rum also draws other connotations in the spirits fan’s mind, who might be reminded of Red Leg Rum.

Those seeking a Caribbean twist to their Chinese New Year ( and why wouldn’t you?), might therefore enjoy a drop of the spiced rum, described as having strong notes of vanilla and ginger.

White Horse

On to a more obvious choice – Diageo is targeting those celebrating the Year of the Horse with its limited edition White Horse blended Scotch whisky – the Gold Edition 1890.

The travel retail exclusive, which will be given a global release in January 2014 at the start of the Chinese New Year, is a blend of malt and grain whiskies from Islay and the Highlands.

Diageo said: “In Chinese culture, the horse symbolises power and success, so we are hopeful that the launch of this special blend, crafted to celebrate the Year of the Horse, will echo this sentiment.”

Horse’s Neck

American cocktail the Horse’s Neck, commonly known as the Kentucky Gentleman, is named as such because of its long lemon peel garnish.

The ingredients and method are simple: stir brandy or Bourbon with ginger beer in a highball glass and garnish with the lemon peel strip.