Rose Soaked Liquor

Rose Soaked Liquor

　　: A Yunnan specialty—Rose Soaked Liquor is made primarily from fresh rose petals. The aromatic components of the roses are extracted using alcohol or liquor, then undergo redistillation, blending, filtering, and aging to produce rose dew liquor. This rose dew liquor has functions such as invigorating qi and blood circulation, soothing the liver and stomach, and relieving chest tightness and melancholy.

　　 History and Culture: Also known as "Rose Sheng Liquor," it was one of the most beloved alcoholic beverages among the old residents of Kunming during the Qing Dynasty and Republican era. It is produced by fermenting and distilling coarse distilled spirits with fragrant rose petals, a specialty of Yunnan. Varieties include “Rose Sheng,” “Double-Distilled Rose Sheng,” and “Old Rose Soaked Liquor,” with alcohol content ranging from 40° to 60°. The liquid is clear and bright, with a rich, mellow taste and a fragrant rose aroma. Before liberation, many distilleries in Kunming produced it, especially the “Bi Da La Zha” shop on Jingxing Street, whose Old Rose Soaked Liquor was famous throughout the province and beyond. After liberation, the Kunming City Bottled Liquor Factory and the Distillery produced Rose Sheng Liquor. Later, the bottled liquor factory was disbanded, and the distillery stopped producing Rose Sheng. Currently, only one or two small distilleries around Kunming still produce loose Rose Sheng Liquor, but these are blended versions and no longer resemble the “Rose Sheng” of old Kunming.

　　 In history, roses have symbolized the passion and impulse of life, purity and beauty, as well as love, wisdom, nobility… All these universally admired qualities have been compared to roses. In the renowned book The Language of Flowers by German botanist and horticulturist Marianne Beuchert, the rose occupies the longest section and carries the most complex meanings: from the sweat beads of Muhammad ascending to heaven, to the climbing vines that demons used to reach the heavens beside the gods; from the goddess of secrecy to the flower of wisdom; from the Virgin Mary to fallen women—it encompasses beauty, romance, love, sanctity, sensuality, decadence, desire, death, the cosmos, mystery, silence, wisdom, and elegance…

　　 Rose wine, born from the encounter between roses and liquor, results in a romantic and passionate union, creating an elegant and noble rose dew liquor. Folklore traces the origin of rose wine brewing back to the Tang Dynasty, making it over a thousand years old. “Wild sprouts grow in countless branches, like red beans carrying longing. Roses bloom with fragrance like the sea, just as every household’s wine ripens.”

　　 Production Technique: The method for making Rose Soaked Liquor is simple and is a common recipe found in modern drink-making guides. The flavor profile of rose wine falls within [category], and the technique is categorized as [type], but how to make the best-tasting rose wine largely depends on personal taste preferences. Adjust details according to your own palate and follow your instincts to make this rose wine.　

　　 Ingredient Formula

　　 Deodorized Alcohol 2.2L, Citric Acid 5g, Rose Essence 2L, Red Currant Red (or Carmine) 0.1g, White Granulated Sugar 1600g, Glycerol 20g, Distilled Water 8L

　　 Production Method 1. Take a clean pot, add deodorized alcohol, glycerol, and rose essence, then mix in an appropriate amount of hot water. Stir continuously until evenly combined, then set aside.

　　 2. Dissolve citric acid in a small amount of 60°C warm water, then heat to 75–80°C before cooling and filtering.

　　 3. In a clean pot, place sugar and dissolve it in distilled water, then filter to obtain the sugar solution.

　　 4. In a clean container, add sugar, then pour in the alcohol mixture. Stir, then add Red Currant Red and the dissolved citric acid solution, stirring continuously until evenly mixed. 　

　　 5. Then store in a storage container for 2–3 months, filter to remove sediment, and the resulting liquor is ready to drink.