Today is June 21st, the start of summer but also the music festival… For this occasion, as the holidays approach, I offer you a little focus on sake cocktails! I had already written an article on this subject: here, but I would like to come back to this trend and talk about emblematic recipes that we all know but with a Japanese twist!
And yes, sake can be used in cocktails even if it is not a strong alcohol. Its versatility, the fact that it can be tasted (in moderation) at several temperatures but also its umami, makes it a nice companion for mixologists to add an extra dimension to their creations.
You too can make cocktails with sake… and it’s very simple. No need to have all the bar tools to please yourself! Especially if you start with super-known cocktail recipes: that’s what I want to address in this article with 4 great classic cocktails revisited.
The Saké Mojito : Sakejito or Asian Mojito
A classic of classics that comes from Cuba and is based on rum, sparkling water, mint, lime and cane sugar. This very famous cocktail is not very new, it was created in the 1910s and is today a true symbol of Caribbean culture. A Japanese revisit is essential and to do this here is the recipe that I offer you: 6cl of Sake, fresh mint (ideally stem otherwise 10/12 leaves, Indian mint preferably), lime juice and sparkling water. Serve in a tumbler with crushed ice. You can also, if you love the taste of rum, choose to keep this captivating side and wash it down with sparkling sake rather than sparkling water. However, be careful with bar doses: always consume in moderation.
Adios Tequila, Holà Saké Sunrise
The famous Tequila Sunrise, so delicious, can also be revisited! If in the glass, the cocktail looks like a sunrise thanks to the gradient caused by the orange juice and grenadine syrup mixture, we can reproduce the same effect by replacing the Tequila with Sake! The traditional recipe dates from the end of the 1930s and was developed by a bartender from Phoenix in the USA. Originally, it was a clever mix of Tequila, lemon juice, blackcurrant syrup and sparkling water. He has since experienced the twist that we know. To make Sunrise Sake, take 6cl of fruity Sake, 12cl of orange juice and a little grenadine syrup… Why not push the vice by trying to reproduce the original recipe with 3cl of Tequila, 2cl of Sake, 2cl of juice of yuzu, 10cl of sparkling water and 2cl of crème de cassis!
Martini made in Japan : Sakétini
The Martini Gin or Dry Martini is an iconic cocktail: it’s James Bond’s cocktail! And this creation is also entitled to its Japanese side. For this, it is of course necessary to modify the original 20th century recipe which was created in the USA and which is often confused with the Martini brand, which is Vermouth: 6cl of Gin, 1cl of White Vermouth, 1 lemon juice ideally from the zest and a green olive to garnish it all. There are many variations such as the Vesper or the Vodka Martini: it’s up to you to discover this range of possibilities. On the Sake side, to make the Saketini, you need: 4cl of Sake, 3cl of Gin (or Vodka), 1 lemon juice ideally from the zest (you can also pass a green shiso leaf around the edge of the glass) and a green olive (we won’t give up… or a little cucumber to keep the green side). Of course, you pour it all into a cocktail glass worthy of the Dry Martini!
Carrie Bradshaw should try the Saké Cosmo !
We say Cosmo for short, but its real name is Cosmopolitan. This cocktail was given a second lease of life thanks to the Sex and the City series, although it was created at the beginning of the 20th century. Its recipe is subtle, it includes Grand Marnier or Cointreau (Triple Sec), Vodka, cranberry juice (cranberry) and lemon juice. It is a cocktail that is shaken and then served chilled in a Martini glass. Its red color turns heads and it is so delicious with its orange zest decoration. To make the sake version, we take 4cl of vodka, 2cl of Saké, 1cl of Triple Sec, 2cl of cranberry juice, 1cl of lime juice… We shake, we shake and we serve it chilled! So what do you think? Does this tempt you (in moderation)? Don’t hesitate to share your creations and impressions on the networks!
#France Bleu Gironde broadcast from June 24, 2022: click on the link to listen to the replay more easily and read the great article by Isabelle Wagner!
