Enjoy easy cocktails with sake! 10 Japanese Sake Cocktail Recipes
Enjoy easy cocktails with sake! 10 Japanese Sake Cocktail Recipes
Sake has a strong image of being drunk on its own, but it can also be enjoyed as a delicious base for cocktails! Why not take this opportunity to try a sake cocktail and rediscover the charm of Japanese sake?
This time, we will introduce a sake cocktail recipe that you can easily make at home.
Why sake is suitable for cocktails
Sake is a great base for cocktails. Let me give you some reasons why.
・"Transparency" that does not affect the finished color
・“Simple taste” made only from rice
・“Just the right balance” of sweetness and sourness
By taking advantage of these unique characteristics of Japanese sake and adding a few twists to the ingredients you already have in your kitchen, you can easily make sake cocktails.
10 Japanese Sake Cocktail Recipes
Here are some recommended cocktail recipes. You can use your favorite brand of sake or the kind you have at home, but we recommend using “genshu." The unprocessed sake has no added water, so it has a high alcohol content and a rich flavor. By using it as a cocktail base, you can enjoy the original taste of sake without diluting it.
Japanese sake x tonic water
First of all, here’s the basic recipe.
Simply pour sake and tonic water in a 1:1 ratio into a glass with plenty of ice. The refreshing taste of carbonation goes well with sake. In addition, the deep richness of the sake and the subtle sweetness of the tonic water make for a surprisingly good pairing.
Sake x green tea
Sake x Green Tea Sake on the rocks with 2 spoons of green tea liqueur. With just this, you can create a beautiful cocktail with a truly Japanese atmosphere.
It has a mellow taste, so it is recommended even for those who are not used to drinking sake. Adding a slice of lemon or lime at the end will enhance the aroma and make it more complete.
Sake x freshly squeezed fruit
Freshly squeezed fruit pairs perfectly with sake-based cocktails.
Squeeze grapefruit, lemon, kiwifruit, etc. and add the pulp to your sake. The colors are bright and the result is an easy-to-drink cocktail. It’s delicious on the rocks, and when mixed with soda or tonic water, it becomes refreshing and easy to drink. If you want it sweeter, try adding a little bit of gum syrup.
Sake x lactic acid drink
Sake x Calpis If you divide the undiluted solution of sake and lactic acid drink in a ratio of 5:1 and stir gently, you will get a refreshing cocktail.
You can customize it by adding large pieces of ice to make it on the rocks, or adding plenty of soda for a refreshing finish. You can also drizzle a little colored liqueur such as cassis or orange on top to create a marble pattern!
This is a recommended drink that perfectly matches the sweetness and sourness of Japanese sake and lactic acid drinks.
Sake x Yogurt
Yogurt allows you to create a richer cocktail than lactic acid drinks. It is popular among women as it has just the right amount of sweetness and sourness, and is said to be good for beauty and health.
It’s very easy to make; just pour chilled sake into a glass, add sweetened yogurt drink or plain yogurt, and mix gently. You can enjoy it little by little without getting diluted.
If you’re looking for a lackluster color, try adding leaves from herbs such as lemongrass or mint. The result is a stylish cocktail that will be a hit at home parties.
Sake x Lime Juice (Samurai Rock)
Samurai Rock is a cocktail made with Japanese sake and lime juice. This is a recommended way to drink sake even for beginners. The refreshing scent and acidity of lime add a refreshing taste.
It’s easy to make, just fill a glass with ice, pour sake and lime juice in a 3:1 ratio, and mix gently. You can also top with a slice of lime if you like.
Japanese sake x orange juice
We also recommend cocktails made by simply mixing Japanese sake and orange juice in your desired amount. It’s also delicious with tonic water.
This cocktail is refreshing and easy to drink, so be careful not to drink too much.
Sake x frozen fruit
Frozen Fruit We also recommend putting your favorite frozen fruit in a glass instead of ice and pairing it with sake in a cocktail.
Frozen fruits are also sold at convenience stores, so you can easily get them. Simply put an appropriate amount of frozen fruit in a glass, add some sake, and mix gently.
If it’s a berry type fruit, it will be similar to sangria for sake. It is also a good idea to add mango or pineapple to enjoy the fusion of fruit sweetness and sake.
Sake x coffee ice
Coffee ice cream goes perfectly with sake and coffee. The sweetness of sake matches the bitterness of coffee.
For coffee, we recommend freezing it into coffee ice and pairing it with sake. To make coffee ice, just freeze unsweetened iced coffee. Pour an appropriate amount of the coffee ice into a glass, add the chilled sake, and mix gently.
By drinking coffee while melting ice, the taste of coffee gradually becomes stronger, so you can enjoy the change in taste.
Hot cocktail with Japanese sake x honey and lemon
A hot cocktail made with warm Japanese sake, honey and lemon is recommended during the cold season.
It’s easy to make by just adding a splash of honey to warm sake and an appropriate amount of cut lemon. On a cold winter day, why not warm yourself up with Japanese sake and honey lemon?
Enjoy sake cocktails!
Sake cocktails are easier to drink while retaining the flavor typical of sake, so they are recommended for those who don’t usually drink sake or those who are not good at drinking sake.
It is also perfect as a “first drink" for those who want to try sake.
If you serve brightly colored cocktails at a girls’ night out, or if you make them for a foreign friend who is interested in sake, they will probably be more pleased.
Certainly! Here are ten recommended types of Japanese sake for Japanese sake cocktails
- Junmai Daiginjo Sake: A premium sake that can be used in a wide range of cocktails, from simple to luxurious.
- Junmai Sake: A well-balanced sake with a versatile flavor profile, suitable for many cocktails.
- Ginjo Sake: Light and fruity in flavor, perfect for refreshing cocktails.
- Honjozo Sake: Offers moderate body and flavor, adding depth to cocktails.
- Koshu Sake: Aged sake with a unique character, ideal for more complex cocktails.
- Junmai Ginjo Sake: Fragrant and aromatic, great for fruit-based cocktails.
- Yamahai Junmai Sake: Rich in aroma and well-suited for cocktails with deep flavors.
- Muroka Nama Genshu Sake: Unfiltered and undiluted, offering a rich and creamy base for cocktails.
- Arabashiri: Sake that is pressed early, with a refreshing acidity, suitable for light and crisp cocktails.
- Snow Flower Sake: Light and refreshing, it makes a versatile base for cocktails.
Feel free to use these Japanese sake varieties to create creative cocktails. However, remember to experiment to find the perfect balance, and always drink responsibly while adhering to local laws and regulations. Cheers!