Hong Kong CNN –
Luckin Espresso has teamed up with Kweichow Moutai, maker of China’s fiery nationwide liquor Baijiu, for an uncommon providing: alcoholic lattes.
The favored Chinese language espresso chain on Monday launched what it known as a “gravy-flavored latte” with a splash of alcohol for 38 yuan ($5.20). Prospects who order with an internet voucher may obtain a 50% low cost for a restricted time, it mentioned.
The “sauce” within the The title apparently refers back to the barely savory notes of Moutai liqueur, which has been in comparison with soy sauce by some drinkers.
The brand new drink turned fast A sizzling matter on Chinese language social media, with many customers questioning whether or not it’s secure to devour on the go. The query “Can we drive after ingesting this Moutai espresso?” was the primary matter on social community Weibo on Monday with 430 million views.
Moutai’s Baijiu is a glowing liquor that sometimes comprises 53% alcohol.
The clear, robust spirit was known as “firewater” due to its robust style. The purple and white bottles of Moutai’s flagship product, Feitian, or Flying Fairy, are a staple at Chinese language state banquets and enterprise occasions.
With the brand new collaboration with Luckin, every cup comprises solely a tiny quantity of alcohol, with a complete alcohol content material of about 0.5%, in response to Luckin.
Nonetheless, the corporate recommends that drivers, youngsters and pregnant girls ought to keep away from the latte.
The brand new drink, which can be served to clients with a dollop of whipped cream, is Moutai’s newest try to diversify its choices.
Final 12 months, the model unveiled one other shocking use of its spirits by opening a Moutai ice cream parlor and promoting sugar-infused desserts to shoppers within the metropolis of Zunyi in southwest China’s Guizhou province.
The format proved an enormous success: a 12 months later, almost 10 million cups have been offered, the corporate mentioned in an announcement in Could this 12 months.
Luckin Espresso has made a comeback amongst shoppers after being embroiled in a fraud scandal three years in the past that led to the corporate being ousted from Wall Avenue.
The espresso chain is as soon as once more a number one model in China and says it presently operates as much as 10,000 shops in additional than 240 Chinese language cities.
— Nectar Gan contributed to this report.