1. Shochu and Hot Water
This
is the traditional and most popular way of drinking shochu. When mixed
with hot water, shochu’s taste and fragrance harmonize perfectly
for you to fully appreciate the distinct characteristic of the different
types of shochu. The ratio of shochu to hot water can be adjusted to match
your personal taste.
To drink sweet potato shochu, first pour the shochu in a glass, then add
boiling water. This method produces a drink with a sharp bite. However,
if you first pour the hot water into a glass, then add the shochu after
the water has cooled a little, it develops a well-rounded, sweet flavor.
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| A wide cup used in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies is best for enjoying shochu with hot water. |
2. Straight
It is said that higher quality shochu should be enjoyed
straight. However, because single-distilled shochu has a high alcohol
content, it is best when consumed alternately with water.
3. On the Rocks
Pour shochu over large chunks of ice to create a
refreshing and exhilarating drink. Try it with a slice of lemon.
4. Water Cocktail
You can mix shochu with water, in the same way as
whiskey. Try mixing your shochu with different brands of mineral water
to create a distinct taste.
5.
Cold Shot
Refrigerate the entire bottle of shochu to completely
chill the contents. Chill your glasses too to enhance the taste. The lower
temperature produces a thicker consistency shochu and gives you concentrated
flavor.
Here are a few new ways to enjoy shochu cocktails.
a) Sake and Shochu Cocktai
Add Japanese Sake to shochu and add a splash of tonic water.
b) Shochu and Campari
A combination of shochu and Campari Soda.
c) Jasmine Shochu
Mix rice shochu with chilled jasmine tea.
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| Shochu sherbet is another use of shochu for a desert. For sherbet, liqueur type shochu is most suitable. |
a) Shochu jelly
Add a dash of shochu to any fruit-flavored jelly to create a cocktail dessert for adults.
b) Fruit Shochu
Add canned or preserved pineapples or mangoes to shochu to enhance its sweetness.
Send us your original ideas for shochu cocktails to be
included in this site!
shochu@ovalone.com