Chinese New Year in Singapore isn’t just about reunion dinners and red packets — it’s also a season of festive drinking, gifting, and late-night mahjong sessions. As we head into Chinese New Year 2026 (Year of the Horse), alcohol brands across Singapore are rolling out limited-edition Lunar New Year packaging, with two clear stand-out trends: mahjong-themed collectibles and horse-inspired festive designs.
For wine and spirits lovers, these releases aren’t just about what’s inside the bottle — they’re about ritual, symbolism, and making celebrations feel special. Here’s a look at the most notable mahjong sets and horse-themed alcohol promotions available in Singapore for CNY 2026, and how to enjoy them thoughtfully during the festive season.
Why Mahjong and Zodiac Themes Are Everywhere During CNY
Mahjong is deeply woven into Chinese New Year culture in Singapore. It’s common to see families and friends gathering around the table late into the night, drinks within reach, snacks flowing, and laughter filling the room. As a result, mahjong sets have become one of the most culturally resonant festive collectibles, especially when paired with alcohol purchases.
Meanwhile, zodiac symbolism plays a huge role in Lunar New Year gifting. The Horse represents energy, momentum, perseverance, and success — making it a popular motif for festive alcohol packaging meant to convey good wishes and prosperity for the year ahead.
Mahjong-Themed Alcohol Promotions You Can Find in Singapore (CNY 2026)
1664 Limited-Edition Mahjong Set (Gift-With-Purchase)
French beer brand 1664 has introduced a limited-edition mahjong set as part of its Chinese New Year promotion in Singapore.
- 🀄 What it is: A full mahjong set with bold, contemporary design
- 🎁 How to redeem: Available via gift-with-purchase when shoppers spend a minimum amount on 1664 products
- 🛒 Where: Major supermarkets and online platforms including FairPrice, Cold Storage, Sheng Siong, Lazada, Shopee and Amazon Fresh
This promotion appeals to both casual drinkers and collectors — offering something functional that will likely see use well beyond the festive period.
Carlsberg Year of the Horse Mini Mahjong Set
Carlsberg Singapore has leaned heavily into Lunar New Year culture with a Year of the Horse campaign that includes festive packaging and a mini mahjong set redemption.
- 🍺 Festive cans & bottles: Featuring horse-inspired artwork
- 🀄 Mini mahjong set: Redeemable through qualifying purchases and receipt uploads
- 🧧 Why it works: It blends drinking culture with a classic CNY activity, making it ideal for hosting and gifting
For beer drinkers, this turns a familiar product into a seasonal conversation piece — perfect for house visits and reunion nights.
Horse-Themed Alcohol Packaging for Chinese New Year 2026
Beyond mahjong sets, premium alcohol brands are leaning into elegant horse-themed designs that elevate bottles into giftable centrepieces.
Penfolds Lunar New Year Collection
- Equine-inspired gift boxes for popular labels like Bin 389, Bin 707, and St Henri
- Widely available in Singapore wine retailers
- Ideal for corporate gifting and formal reunion dinners
Johnnie Walker Blue Label – Year of the Horse Edition
- Limited-edition packaging featuring sculptural horse motifs
- Positioned as a luxury Lunar New Year gift
- Commonly stocked at duty-free and premium retailers
Martell Year of the Horse Cognacs
- Special CNY editions of Martell Cordon Bleu and VSOP
- Artistic horse imagery combined with festive pop-ups and in-store activations
- Often paired with redemption gifts for higher-value purchases
These releases are popular because they look festive without feeling kitschy, making them suitable for both gifting and display during the New Year period.
How to Choose Festive Alcohol for CNY (If You’re a Drinker)
If you enjoy alcohol during Chinese New Year, here are a few practical considerations when shopping:
- 🎁 For gifting: Look for horse-themed packaging or premium boxes — presentation matters
- 🀄 For hosting: Mahjong-related promotions add value if you’re entertaining guests
- 🍷 For yourself: Buy what you’ll actually drink — limited editions are only worth it if you enjoy what’s inside
Festive packaging is a bonus, but taste, quality, and how it fits into your celebrations should come first.
Enjoying Chinese New Year Drinking Without Overdoing It
Chinese New Year often involves multiple nights of drinking — reunion dinners, house visits, mahjong sessions, and catch-ups that stretch past midnight. For many people, the challenge isn’t the celebration itself, but how they feel the next day.
Being a mindful drinker doesn’t mean skipping the fun. Simple habits like eating before drinking, staying hydrated, and pacing yourself can go a long way. Some people also choose to prepare their body in advance, especially during festive periods with back-to-back social nights.
Supplements like Locohol are designed to fit into this kind of routine — not as a cure-all, but as part of a responsible pre-drinking approach for those who know they’ll be having alcohol over several days. It’s about enjoying the celebrations fully, without letting fatigue or discomfort take away from the festive mood.
Final Thoughts: A Festive Year of the Horse
Chinese New Year 2026’s alcohol promotions in Singapore show how brands are tapping into tradition — through mahjong sets, zodiac symbolism, and festive design — while still catering to modern lifestyles.
Whether you’re buying for gifting, hosting, or your own enjoyment, these limited-edition releases add an extra layer of meaning to festive drinking. Paired with thoughtful choices and moderation, they can be part of a Chinese New Year that’s memorable for the right reasons — good company, good drinks, and nights that don’t ruin the mornings after.