When you’re entertaining, you want to leave your guests feeling impressed. If you’re looking to add something novel, engaging and just a touch enigmatic to your party’s cocktail menu, consider sake as a base.
Sake is a Japanese rice wine known for its light, fruity and slightly sweet overtone. Although many assume sake should be enjoyed neat, it’s a more versatile beverage than you think, perfect for adding a flair to any occasion.
Sake cocktails are full of flair and zesty energy, and as sake is a multifaceted beverage, you can use it to put your spin on classic cocktails. Sake cocktails are diverse and easy to make. Check out our list of eight quick, delicious, and easy sake cocktail recipes you can mix up for your next event.
1. Kyoto Sour
This fun and fruity cocktail shows sake’s versatility and leaves you wanting a second glass. You’ll need two slices of grapefruit, two dashes of green Tabasco sauce, 3 ounces of Gekkeikan Sake, 1/2 ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice, 3/4 ounce of agave nectar, a grapefruit slice, and a sprig of mint for the garnish.
Mix the grapefruit and Tabasco in a cocktail shaker, then add the sake, agave nectar, lemon juice and some ice. Shake until the mixture is chilled. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with plenty of ice, garnish and serve.
2. Sumo in a Sidecar
This cocktail is well deserving of a spot on our list. It’s a modern version of the sidecar with a delicious apricot flavor. For this refreshing cocktail, you’ll need 1 ounce of apricot brandy liqueur, 2 ounces of your preferred sake, 1/2 ounce of lemon juice, one orange twist for garnish, and some sugar for the rim.
Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until chilled and strain into your chilled glass with a fine strainer. Garnish with the orange twist and serve.
3. Coco Geisha
This decadent cocktail is a staple for any party. It’s beautiful and simple — a classic combination of sweet and sour with a traditional Japanese twist. You’ll need 1 1/2 ounces of Japanese single-malt whisky, 3/4 ounce of chilled Genshu sake, 3/4 ounce of chilled coconut water, 1/4 ounce of simple syrup, and a dash of orange angostura bitters.
Pour your ingredients and some ice into a cocktail shaker and stir until nice and chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and serve with any garnish you like.
4. Tamagozake Cocktail
This hot sake cocktail is perfect for a winter evening or as a nightcap for your guests. “Tamagozake” is Japanese for “egg sake.” You need one egg, 1/2 cup of junmai sake, one slice of fresh ginger, and 1 or 2 tablespoons of sugar.
Break the egg into a bowl and mix with the sugar. Heat the sake in a small pot over low heat and let it warm slowly, so you don’t impact the natural flavor. Whisk a small amount into your egg mixture when the sake is hot.
Gradually pour the rest of the sake into the mixture, whisking the entire time. Keep mixing until the liquid is foamy in texture. Pour into a wine glass and serve while warm.
5. Manhattan Love Story
The sake Manhattan has all the appeal of the classic version, with the addition of ginger liqueur making it equally warm and spicy. It’s a perfect drink for winter, over dinner or at the end of a long evening.
You need 1 1/2 ounces of your preferred whiskey, 1 ounce of dry sake, 1/2 ounce of ginger liqueur, two dashes of angostura bitters, and an orange peel for the garnish.
Fill a cocktail shaker or mixing glass with ice, then pour the whiskey, sake, ginger liqueur and bitters. Stir well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with the orange peel and enjoy.
6. Brandy and Nigori Sake Cocktails
This inventive cocktail uses nigori sake, which is the unfiltered version of sake with a milky, slightly sweeter taste. Using tartaric acid to balance the flavors makes this cocktail an enticing option for any occasion.
You need 1 ounce of nigori sake, 1/2 ounce of pear brandy, 1/4 ounce of brandy, 1/4 ounce of chamomile liqueur, 1/4 ounce of blackberry sage tea syrup, 2 ounces of tartaric acid combined with 3 1/2 grams of water, and edible flowers for the garnish. You can make the blackberry sage tea syrup by steeping blackberry sage tea and adding sugar and four dashes of tartaric acid.
Pour the sake, brandies, liqueur, syrup and tartaric acid solution into a rocks glass, leaving space for the ice. Fill to the top with crushed ice and stir until chilled, then add the finishing touch with the edible flowers and serve.
7. Lychee and Sake Martini
No cocktail menu is complete without a martini, and this sake-inspired twist is sweet, citrusy and fresh. This cocktail is simple to make. You need 1 1/2 ounces of dry gin, 1/2 ounce of lychee liqueur, 1 1/2 ounces of junmai dai ginjo sake, and peeled lychee for garnish. If you want to double up on the lychee flavor, you can also try lychee-infused sake.
Stir all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, then strain into a chilled martini glass and drop the peeled lychee in for the final touch.
8. Sparkling Sugar Plum
This sparkling sake option is full of bubbles and rich flavors to give you all the fun you need to finish your evening. For one serving, you need 1/2 ounce of ginger liqueur, 1/2 ounce of plum liqueur, 2 1/2 ounces of sparkling sake, 1 ounce of passion fruit puree, and 1 piece of candied ginger or a twist of lemon for garnish.
Shake the ginger liqueur, plum liqueur and passion fruit puree in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain the mixture into a chilled glass — a flute or cocktail glass works nicely — and top with the sparkling sake. Garnish and serve.
Order Sake to Your Door With Marketview Liquor
A successful cocktail party depends on quality ingredients. There’s no need to wait in long lines at the liquor store when you choose Marketview Liquor — pick from our wide range of products and have them delivered right to your door by the bottle or the case.
Our shipping options are available in over 40 states, and we can supply everything you need to make the best sake cocktails. Marketview Liquor cares about making your event a success, which is why we’re committed to finding the best ingredients for you at competitive prices.
Make sure you have all the ingredients you need to thrill your guests. Browse our delicious spirit collection today to keep the drinks flowing.