“Top bartenders in the United States are learning about Shochu’s existence and uniqueness right now,” says Tetsuro Miyazaki, General Manager of iichiko, USA.
“Until 2019, shochu was a local spirit sold only in Japanese restaurants. Now, Japanese bartenders recognize the traditional elements and taste of shochu, and thanks to their success, other top bartenders are starting to use it as well.”
Here are 5 classics that bartenders can swap out the traditional base spirits and experiment with the uniqueness of shochu.
Koji Old Fashioned
Ingredients:
- 2 oz iichiko Saiten
- 1/4 oz Simple Syrup
- 2-3 Dashes Angostura bitters
- Orange Slice
Preparation: Mix all ingredients into a glass with Ice. Stir, then garnish with Orange Slice.
Tokyo Mule
Ingredients:
- 2 oz iichiko Saiten
- 1 oz Lime Juice
- 1 oz Ginger or Simple Syrup
- Top with Ginger Beer/Soda
- Lime Wedge
Preparation: Mix all ingredients into Mule cup with Ice. Stir, then top with Ginger Beer/Soda and garnish with Lime Wedge
Neptune Radio
Created by Brian Evans, Rule of Thirds
The Neptune Radio takes Iichiko Saiten into the realm of an umami-driven sour, with flavors that can transcend the confines of seasonality!” Brian Evans, Rule of Thirds
Ingredients:
- 1 3/4 oz Iichiko Saiten
- 1/4 oz Giffard Cacao
- 1/2 oz Strawberry Syrup (1:1 Strawberries to White Granulated Sugar, pureed until smooth)
- 3/4 oz Lemon Juice
- 1/4 oz Rich Cane Syrup (2:1 Turbinado Cane Sugar to Water)
- 3 cherry tomatoes (2 muddled, 1 garnish)
- 10g Cacao Butter melted
Preparation: Melt cacao butter, then paint one heavy stroke onto chilled glass. Combine ingredients, muddle cherry tomato, then hard-shake with cubed ice for 10-12 seconds, double-strain, and serve up. Garnish: Cherry Tomato on lip of glass + Cacao Butter paint.
Grapefruit Hai
Ingredients:
- 2 oz iichiko Silhouette
- Topped with Fever-Tree Grapefruit
- Grapefruit Slice
Preparation: Build in glass with Ice. Garnish with grapefruit slice.
Umami Gimlet
Ingredients:
- 2 oz iichiko Saiten
- 1 oz Lime Juice
- 3/4 oz Simple Syrup
- Lime wheel
Preparation: Mix all ingredients into cocktail shaker with Ice. Shake, then strain into glass and garnish with Lime Wheel.
The post 5 Classic Cocktails made with Shochu appeared first on Chilled Magazine.
Source: Mixology News