Anyone for a drop of baijiu? Now that's the spirit

Baijiu, China's national spirit, accounts for about one-third of global spirits sales even though it is little known outside the country. World Baijiu Day aims to raise the profile of this spirit with events in dozens of cities worldwide when restaurants, bars, producers and consumers team up for 24 hours of baijiu cocktails, baijiu-inspired food and tastings, seminars and more.

Events this year will take place from Aug 1 to 8, culminating in World Baijiu Day on Aug 9.

The day was launched last year by Jim Boyce, who has run the nightlife blog Beijing Boyce and the wine blog Grape Wall of China for nearly a decade and written about China's wine industry for trade and mainstream publications.