Sake is a far more versatile beverage than most people realize. Pure and expressive no matter its application, artisan sake can be served chilled, gently warmed, and with a variety of cuisines. From Japanese to Indian, Mexican to Italian, to a big juicy hamburger – there are no rules and no boundaries to enjoying sake and sake drinks.
Not sure where to start with sake? Look no further: Sake Myths, Debunked
Craft cocktails open up the world of sake drinks even further. With a couple of extra minutes, fresh ingredients, and bar cart standbys, you can enjoy a cocktail worthy of an upstanding establishment any day of the week.
The following cocktail recipes were created, refined, and tested by Kyle Linden Webster of Expatriate, the cocktail bar he and his wife opened in Portland, Oregon. Each cocktail utilizes artisanal sake alongside other typical craft cocktail ingredients.
4 Simple Sake Drinks
With sake drinks of this caliber, the applications are limitless. Explore these recipes on their own, with a variety of cuisines, for guests, or for yourself, and discover more of sake’s amazing versatility.
Joto Gimlet
- 3 oz Joto Daiginjo
- ½ oz Fresh lime juice
- ½ oz Cane sugar syrup 1:1
- ½ tsp Yuzu Kosho*
Shake & strain/Serve Up/Lime
Taste: Simply amazing. Salt and pepper. Spicy, salty, tangy, bright, umami-rich.
* Yuzu Kosho is a traditional Japanese condiment combining yuzu citrus with green chili peppers. It can be found at most Asian markets.
Divine Lotus
- 3 oz Joto Junmai
- 6T Pureed Persimmon*
- ¼ oz Honey syrup 2:1
- ½ oz Fresh lemon juice
Shake/Rocks/Do not double strain
Taste: Junmai sings. Soft, subtle, round, balanced, fruity
*Any soft, ripe, seasonal fruit can be used: strawberry, kiwi, raspberry, mango, etc.
Dozo
- 5oz Hou Hou Shu Sparkling Sake
- ¼ oz Pear vinegar*
- ¼ oz Fresh lemon juice
- Flute/Lemon twist
Taste: Vibrant, expressive, sweet, tart. Contrast and balance. Great aperitif style.
*any drinking vinegar will work
Bittersweet Beginning
- 3 oz Hou Hou Shu Sparkling Sake
- 1 oz Plymouth Gin
- ½ oz Dolin Dry Vermouth
- ¼ oz Campari
- 1 Dash Regan’s No. 6 Orange Bitters
- Flute/Lemon Twist
Taste: Bitter orange rind, herbal, sweet and dry, bright and balanced
