We have introduced you Japanese Sake in the previous article, but Sake is definitely only a small part of Japanese alcohol. Whether it’s sake, shochu, or even sparkling, Japan has something special to meet different needs. As same as other countries’ spirits and cocktails, Japanese alcohol also have their specific ways to drink. Today, we will find out the secret about Japanese alcohol and drinking methods.
Shochu
Shochu is a distilled spirit with an alcohol content of 20-40 percent. Though people like to compare it to vodka, it does not really have the same spicy punch. It is commonly made from cereal, sweet potato, wheat or sugar cane. And it’s a distilled liquor like whiskey. You can drink it in various methods including straight, on the ice rocks or diluted with water. In the winter, many people order it diluted with hot water, which gives it a special warm and sweet taste.
Japanese Whiskey
Despite Japanese whiskey’s short history, Japan has quickly become a whiskey powerhouse to showing themself to worldwide and have won many top international awards. They are currently enjoying high popularity inside of Japan as well as other countries on the earth. The category spans from complex blends to heavy punch single malts. Nowadays, the most recognizable brands in the Japan market are Suntory, Nikka, Yamazaki, and Hibiki.
Plum wine (umeshu)
Umeshu is its Japanese name, more commonly known as plum wine, is made by pickling Japanese unripe plums, soak into white liquor, Shochu, Nihonshu, or even Brandy, adding sugar and other ingredients to in crease its taste. Umeshu is sweet, fruity, juice-like flavor and aroma can appeal to people who normally dislike strong alcohol and very popular among females. It is usually served cold on the rocks, or mixed with soda. There are also people who drink it with black or green tea in Japan.
Chuhai
Chuhai is a typical Japan-made word, which is shortened from ‘shochu highball’. It’s a fruit-flavored alcoholic drink with an alcohol content between 3 and 9 percent. Most common flavors include original taste, lemon, ume, green tea, grapefruit, and lime to enrich its flavors. Chuhai is made of Shochu and soda, normally sold premixed in cans at Japanese Convenient store or supermarket.
Japanese Beer
Talking about sales volume, beer could be the most popular alcoholic drink in Japan, Japanese beer also known throughout the world for their great taste and high quality of its raw material. Japanese people normally start off their first cheers of drinking parties by having a cup of beer. Although not their traditional drink, beer is a good complement to Japanese traditional cuisine, and people are enjoying the taste whether it comes in alcoholic or not.
After Word
Drinking plays an important role in Japanese society too. Friday night parties, or even after work parties, normally held at restaurants and izakaya (Japanese Bar), which are a common activity that used to strengthen both business or friend’s connection. Please feel free to visit our shopping page since we have a large variety of alcoholic beverages for you which can be only found in Japan.
* Alcoholic beverages cannot be sold to persons under the age of 20.
