An intriguing and delicious beverage, Sake continues to gain fans throughout North America and has certainly captured our hearts here at Sherbrooke. With a rich history dating back centuries, Sake’s diverse flavours and nuanced character have tried the test of time, and we are beyond excited about the wide range and ever-growing section in our cooler. That being said, we know that it can be a little bit intimidating for newcomers to know where to start. To help you out a little bit, we put together a unique sake cocktails list that makes it easy for you to get your feet wet in the world of Sake, or to sample it in a way you never have before!
Lychee Sake
This easy-to-make cocktail is a traditional Japanese beverage. The tropical bouquet of lychee fruit is tempered when mixed with dry sake in this unique, simple cocktail served as a shot with a whole lychee garnish.
Ingredients
- 0.5 Cup of Oni Koroshi
- 0.5 Cup of Ice
- 1-2 Tbsp Corn Syrup
- Lychee
Put lychee, water, sake, ice and corn syrup in a shaker. Shake well. Pour in a glass and put 2-3 pcs lychee per glass.
Oriental Burning Branch
This rich-tasting cocktail delivers amazing flavours. The Osmanthus flower garnish brings an elegant and unforgettable fragrance.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Apple Cider
- 0.5 oz Lapsang Souchong Tea Syrup
- 2 oz Tengumai Yamahai Jikomi Junmai
- 0.5 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- Osmanthus Flower Garnish
Add all ingredients into an old-fashioned glass and fill with ice (large ice cubes are better). Mix well. Garnish with osmanthus flowers and serve.
Warm Spring
Sake is known for its adaptation to various temperatures, creating an endless number of possibilities for creating the perfect cocktail. Its ability to combine well with spiced flavours makes this next cocktail, the Warm Spring, a smash hit.
Ingredients
- 0.5 Part Amaretto
- 1.5 Parts of Brewmasters Choice Honjozo Premium Sake
- 2 Parts of hot water
- 1 Sugar cube
Muddle all of the ingredients together and add a cinnamon stick garnish.
Wasabi Mary
Wasabi lovers! We’ve got a spicy sake cocktail for you! The Wasabi Mary takes a wild twist on the traditional Bloody Mary and gives off a bright colour that packs some stunning flavour.
Ingredients
- 2 Parts Kozaemon House Junmai
- 3 Parts Tomato Juice
- 1 Dash Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 Dashes of Tabasco Sauce
- Pinch of Wasabi
- 0.25 Part of Fresh Lemon Juice
- Pinch of Salt and Pepper
Stir all the ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Strain and pour into a tall glass with fresh ice. Garnish with a celery stalk.
Cucumber-Sake Cooler
This cucumber cooler is perfect for those hot summer days. Full of great tasting flavour, this is the perfect drink for relaxing by the pool or in your backyard.
Ingredients
- 3 oz Niwa No Uguisu – 50 Junmai Ginjo
- 2 Tbsp Simple Syrup
- 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 1 Tbsp Cucumber Puree
- Ice Cubes as Needed
- Top Off With Club Soda
- 1 Lime Wedge
Combine the sake, simple syrup, lime juice, and cucumber puree. Fill your highball glass with ice and stir to mix well. Top to the rim with club soda. Garnish with the lime wedge and serve immediately.
White Light Tini
This green tea-infused cocktail will deliver that mild, sweet, and refreshing flavour you have been looking for. Garnished with edible flowers, this is a hit with any crowd.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp Loose Green Tea Leaves
- One 1” piece of fresh lemongrass, outer husk removed and thinly sliced or shaved with a peeler
- 1 Cup of Hot Filtered Water
- 3 Cups of Taiheizan Honjozo Nigori
- 0.5 Cup of Ginger Juice
- 1 Cup of Fresh Lime Juice
- 0.5 Cup of Agave Nectar
- 4 Fresh Orchid Blossoms or Other Edible Flowers
Steep tea in hot water then strain the tea and refrigerate until chilled. Combine ingredients together and strain into a cocktail or martini glass.
The Road to Takara
This unique cocktail is full of flavour and delivers the perfect sweetness for a cocktail.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Naminooto Muroka Nama Genshu
- 0.5 oz Brown Rice Syrup
- 0.75 oz Nonino Amaro
- 0.5 oz Amaretto
- 3 oz Unsweetened Almond Milk
- Pinch of Salt
- Grated Nutmeg on Top (garnish)
- Combine, Shake and Strain
With new options arriving all the time, we know you’ll love exploring the extensive list of Sake we carry. Indeed, it is no mystery to us why we’re seeing more and more people venture into our cooler in search of the perfect bottle. This summer, break out of your comfort zone, and try these 7 different cocktails and discover what the Sake buzz is all about!
