What alcohol is a must try in Japan

I always thought that in Japan they only drink sake, and then only “on holidays.” But it turned out that gatherings with alcohol are very popular with this nation. And the range of drinks that “samurai” pamper themselves with is very wide.

I have long wanted to visit Japan, I hope that the world community will soon defeat the coronavirus, the borders between countries will reopen and I will be able to fulfill my dream.

In the meantime, I just have to study the traditions and make a list of drinks that I will definitely try in the Land of the Rising Sun.

What alcohol is considered traditional in Japan

The traditional Japanese drink syake (sake) needs no introduction. Previously, shake was not consumed as an alcoholic drink in the usual sense, it was drunk during religious ceremonies and as a ritual to attract good luck.

It was not available to everyone. But in our time, sake is an attribute of the Japanese feast and an obligatory item in the program for tourists.

It’s hard to tell if it’s vodka or wine. It would be correct to call shake a special kind of alcohol. The manufacturing technology is similar to the preparation of rum, but using rice and koji fungus.

The Japanese make sourdough on water, polished rice and yeast. After that, the drink undergoes a double fermentation. The alcohol content depends on the type of sake, but always no less than 10 and no more than 20 degrees.

Interesting: the Japanese love to arrange corporate parties, friendly gatherings almost every week, supposedly to lure good luck. Such parties are not complete without alcohol.

Sake is a must try if given the chance. Especially since the cups for drinking sake are small, to try a drink from them and not get drunk – just right. They are called o-choko, their volume is 30-50 ml.

Another traditional Japanese alcohol is shochu (shochu). It is much less “spiritual” than sake. It was consumed by all segments of the population, since it was available.

Shochu is produced by distillation in addition to rice from:

• the bat;
• potatoes;
• buckwheat;

Well, you understand, it is prepared from any available product. Shochu moonshine is usually 20-40 degrees strong. Traditionally, it is diluted with fruit juice or another Japanese drink – hoppy beer.

Shochu has a close relative – awamori. The producers of this drink from the Okinawa Islands were inspired by the technique of making sake and shochu, only they used long-grain rice instead of round-grain.

The strength of awamori can reach 60 degrees. Often snakes are added to this drink. But this is more for the entourage – tourists love such things. But such “additives” do not affect the taste in any way.

Strong alcohol

We have already attributed the traditional Japanese awamori to strong drinks, but the types of strong alcohol are not limited to them.

For example, the Japanese are very fond of whiskey and prepare it, albeit in their own way, but very high quality.

They use only their own distillates, while keeping whiskey in containers of different structure, shape and volume.

It is believed that it is because of this that they manage to get various shades of taste. Whiskey fell in love with the Japanese thanks to the culture of the Scots and Americans that penetrated the east.

An interesting fact: Japanese whiskey is considered one of the 5 types recognized worldwide along with Irish, Canadian whiskey, Scotch scotch, American bourbon.

Weak alcohol

The most common “everyday” alcohol in Japan is beer. Here they equally love both beer from large producers, for example, Asahi (Asahi), and from local craft breweries.

Types of Japanese beer:

1. A drink with a malt content of 67% or more. In fact, only it is considered a real beer in Japan.
2. Happoshu (haposhu), or “second beer”. It contains less than 66% malt.
3. A drink with a beer taste – no malt at all.

Another low-alcohol drink is Chuhai (chuhai), alcohol in it is 5-8 degrees. It is very loved by Japanese women for its sweet taste. Chuhai is made from peaches, citrus fruits, pears and other fruits.

And now a test of erudition: what drink is missing in the description of weak alcohol? Say the famous “plum wine”?

Both the first and the second word are wrong, although the general direction is correct. Ymeshu (meshyu) is actually a liquor! The fortress is only 10-15%. And it is prepared not from plums at all, but from Japanese mume apricots.

Reference: the Japanese began to make apricot wine much earlier than grape wine.

Cocktails

The Japanese do not show much resistance to alcohol and get drunk quickly. However, this does not stop them from mixing different alcohols in cocktails.

I have selected for you several mixes, which include the drinks that I introduced you to and which you can try in the bars of Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and other cities.

1. sake cocktails. Most often, liqueurs (fruit, milk, chocolate), juices and syrups are added here. Example of a cocktail: dry sake 60 ml, elderberry liqueur 4,5 teaspoons, tequila 3 teaspoons, lemon juice 1,5 teaspoons.
2. Another interesting cocktail with soy sauce: 30 ml of sake and 15 ml of sauce.
3. Mineral water, fruit juices, beer or even tea are added to shochu-based cocktails. For example, shochu 30 ml and apricot juice 20 ml.
4. Even if the cocktail is based on whiskey, in Japan they will most likely add sake anyway. But there are cocktails with whiskey, but without sake: Japanese whiskey 40 ml, cherry blossom liqueur 10 ml, lemon juice 1 teaspoon.
5. Apricot liqueur is also added to cocktails. One of them is called “Umesyu”: Japanese whiskey 30 ml, I can 3 teaspoons, honey water 3 teaspoons.

I doubt that you will make these cocktails at home, but if you find yourself in Japan, be sure to try them in local bars.

What alcohol to bring as a souvenir from Japan

Japan is distinguished by the quality of its alcohol, and most importantly, by its environmental friendliness. When choosing an alcoholic souvenir, I advise you to first of all pay attention to traditional drinks.

Here is a selection of drinks with tips for choosing:

1. Sake is difficult to choose, as it is very widely represented in stores in Japan. Rule of thumb: Good sake starts at $15, with no upper limit.
2. Shochu and awamori can vary in price, but it is better to buy from $10 per bottle. It is important not to confuse with sake.
3. I also advise you to take whiskey from Japan. Focus on the main brands: Suntory (Santori) and Nikka (Nikka). Naturally, it is better to buy in large stores, so as not to run into a fake. Whiskey costs $60.
4. When choosing a beer, I also advise you to pay attention to the manufacturers’ brands. I recommend: Asahi (Asahi), Kirin (Kirin), Sapporo (Sapporo), Suntory (Santori), Orion (Orion). You can choose the craft you like. Private breweries are plentiful in large cities. I advise you not to buy beer under $12 a litre.
5. Apricot liqueur. The choice is large, and it may not be expensive, but it can be good. I advise you to stick to the classic rule: the more expensive, the better. The average price for this drink is about $15.

Please note: a gift in the form of a beautifully packaged bottle of fruit wine in Japan is considered gratitude, as well as a wish for health. This is how I advise you to give a souvenir to your loved ones.

The alcohol culture of the Japanese is amazing. There is definitely something to try and pay attention to here. The main property of Japanese alcohol is high quality. This is probably why here you will not meet public censure for participating in alcohol parties.

Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to your health. Take care of yourself!

Have you been to Japan? If you think that I have unfairly overlooked any drink of the country of the rising sun, be sure to share with me in the comments.