Description
A liqueur with a vivid citrus scent like lemongrass, made by steeping the rare spice 'Maqaw' (Mountain Pepper) from Taiwanese mountains in spirits like Kaoliang or vodka.
Restaurants serving Maqaw (Mountain Pepper) Liqueur
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We are researching restaurants that serve this dish.
On this site you can check dictionary details and, later, places to buy or eat related items.
The Recipe section below is a general reference, not a recipe from the listed shops.
Recipe
Ingredients
- Maqaw(Taiwanese mountain pepper)
- Kaoliang liquor(or spirits like Vodka)
Instructions
- [Delicious Way to Drink]
- [What is Maqaw] A wild mountain pepper used historically by Taiwanese indigenous people (like Atayal) in cooking. Looks like black pepper, but crushing it releases an intense, refreshing aroma like a mix of 'lemongrass, ginger, and lemon'.
- [Straight/Rocks] 'Maqaw Liqueur', steeped in alcohol, fills the room with herbal aroma just by pouring. ABV is high (30-40%+), but on the rocks, the citrus scent stands out, drinking cleanly like gin.
- [Cocktail Base] Mixing with tonic water or soda into a 'Maqaw Gin & Tonic style' is massively trending among youth and bars. Paired with greasy meat dishes (especially indigenous food like stone-grilled boar), it magically resets the oil in your mouth.
Learn more Spice, substitutes, tips
Key spices
Intense lemongrass and pepper aroma of Maqaw
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
Premium Craft Gin (sub for botanical aroma)
Pairing
Stone-grilled meat (Indigenous) or Xiangchang(Sausage)
Trivia
[Hardcore] Once an ultra-local liquor unfindable unless visiting indigenous villages. Recently, 'Maqaw' itself drew attention from global chefs, leading to commercialization as trendy craft liqueurs and beers (Maqaw Beer). A major boom in Taipei bars, making it Taiwan's latest trend liquor.
Eating tips & etiquette
[Unique Eating] If you have raw Maqaw peppercorns, crush a few 'pop' with your fingers and float them in the glass, breaking the limits of the aroma before washing it down instantly with carbonated water!
Allergen
Wheat (depends on base liquor)