Xiaomijiu (millet wine) that I introduced in a previous article. This time, I’ll be sharing creative cocktails made with this traditional wine.
“Xiaomijiu” (小米酒) is a traditional wine brewed by Taiwan’s indigenous people. Made from millet, this alcoholic beverage features a distinctive sweetness and richness, representing Taiwan’s traditional culture. The brewing methods, passed down through generations, have unique characteristics for each tribe and are sometimes kept as closely guarded secrets.
This traditional alcohol has undergone an unexpected transformation in the streets of Taitung. I recently had the opportunity to visit “Mixx Bar (米吧),” a bar in Taitung that has elevated this traditional wine into modern cocktails, and I’d like to share my experience.
A Modern Bar Adding Color to Taitung Nights
In Taitung City, as the daytime hustle begins to quiet down, you can hear the laughter of young people filling the streets. As the city’s atmosphere starts to change, Mixx Bar sits modestly in an alley close to downtown.
Open every night except Tuesdays, this establishment opens at either 8 or 9 PM depending on the day of the week, and keeps Taitung’s nightlife vibrant until 2 or 3 AM. It’s a hip space where local young people gather, presenting a different face from the tourist-oriented ambiance of daytime Taitung. Their original cocktails made with millet wine have received high acclaim both domestically and internationally.
A Menu Where Tradition Meets Innovation
Opening the door with excitement, the first thing that catches your eye is the premium darkness created by exquisite lighting design. Based primarily in dark tones, the indirect lighting installed at the bar counter and bottle shelves creates a space that’s both modern and nostalgically hip.
Beyond the counter, bottles are neatly arranged on the back bar. Among them, several bottles of millet wine shine like jewels. While the menu includes beer, whiskey, and classic cocktails, our target is naturally the millet wine cocktails that can only be tasted in this place.
When we asked the friendly bartender shaking the mixer for recommendations, they suggested “Shan Lin Zhi Jian” (Mountain Forest) and “Xiaomijiu Special” without hesitation. The exotic aura emanating from these names heightened our expectations.
Tasting Impressions
Shan Lin Zhi Jian, with a warning that it contains Kaoliang liquor, so it’s quite strong.
We ordered the two recommended cocktails. “Shan Lin Zhi Jian” (Mountain Forest) has a deep color that evokes the mountains of Taitung, as its name suggests. A faint aroma of shell ginger wafts from the amber liquid poured into the glass. We were told it’s a cocktail based on Kaoliang liquor and millet wine, with distilled shell ginger leaf adding an accent.
Taking a sip, I was surprised—despite feeling the strength of the Kaoliang liquor, it has an unexpectedly gentle mouthfeel. The traditionally cloudy millet wine has transformed into a flavor as light as an angel’s wing. The aftertaste that remains after it passes through your throat carries the refreshing scent of shell ginger leaves, creating a pleasant feeling like taking a deep breath in a forest.
In contrast, the “Xiaomijiu Special” is a work of art with a modern interpretation. The gradient created by the milky white of the millet wine and the vivid blue of the perilla liqueur in the glass resembles an aurora. However, contrary to the flamboyance expected from its appearance, its taste reveals an adult depth.
The refreshing bitterness created by lemon and perilla enhances the original sweetness of the millet wine while maintaining a perfect balance. With each sip, sweetness, sourness, and bitterness surge like waves and then recede. Each time brings a new discovery, preventing any sense of monotony.
For comparison, I also ordered straight millet wine. Indeed, traditional millet wine features a sweet taste that seems to combine the best qualities of Japanese doburoku and Korean makgeolli. However, sometimes its sweetness can feel overwhelming. By being transformed into cocktails, the indigenous flavor is diluted, creating a more approachable taste and radiating new charm. I think the refreshing quality of millet wine cocktails must be especially soothing to body and mind on Taitung’s humid nights.
A Hip Bar Where Young People Gather
The bartender demonstrating contemporary presentation techniques using a burner.
Before I knew it, it was nearly midnight. The interior was still bustling with light conversation across the counter. Looking toward the street, I could see young people arriving on motorcycles. It seemed the night in Taitung was just getting started.
There were no tourists at all, and most of the customers were stylish locals from Taitung. It might take a bit of courage to visit alone casually, but for alcohol enthusiasts, this is definitely a place to visit when in Taitung.
Cocktails start from 300 Taiwan dollars, which isn’t exactly cheap, but considering this creative experience, it’s well worth it. The location within walking distance of downtown Taitung is also a plus for tourists.
By the way, there’s a fine for those who vomit. Don’t be deceived by the sweetness of millet wine—enjoy drinking in moderation.
