Sake cocktails aren’t as popular as ones made with vodka, gin, or whiskey. However, you shouldn’t overlook them as a viable cocktail option. This Japanese liquor has a rich, intricate flavor that combines several different flavor notes. These include nutty, fruity, sweet, and dry. Many people compare its taste to that of white wine. Its unique flavor profile means it pairs well with bright, zingy, and even bitter flavors. As a result, many of the sake cocktails on this list are tart and zesty, therefore, delicious! So what are you waiting for? Bring out the cocktail connoisseur in you and try these sake cocktails!
1. Grapefruit Cocktail
This refreshing, bubbly cocktail has it all. It’s tart, tangy, and just a tiny bit spiced and bitter. It’s an interesting flavor combination that’s heavy on grapefruit. The drink uses several ingredients and takes about 10 minutes to make. Still, it’s the ideal drink for summer, especially if you’re not fond of overly sweet cocktails. Don’t let its delicate pink color fool you, either. This one packs more of a punch than you might think.
2. For Goodness Saké – A Saké and Ginger Cocktail
Some of my friends claim they taste a light sweetness in this drink. I’ve never noticed it myself. To me, it’s pretty tart, bordering on outright sour. There are floral-like hints now and then. However, even those aren’t overly sweet; they’re more bright and tangy. You’ll notice strong citrus notes in this cocktail, and don’t worry. The pickled ginger isn’t as overwhelming as most people assume it will be. It does add a nice dash of heat, though. This one isn’t a strong drink as far as potency. So give it a try if you want something light and energizing.
3. Saketini
Looking for something quick and simple to mix up? The two-ingredient saketini is an excellent choice. To make it, you’ll merely combine gin (or vodka) and sake. Stick a cucumber slice on the side as a garnish, and it’s ready to serve. It has a fresh, crisp taste that’s not that far from a ‘regular’ martini.
4. Sake Bloody Mary Cocktail
This sake-based version of the Bloody Mary is less potent than the original. You’ll use sake (approximately 15%-20% ABV) instead of vodka. It doesn’t hit as hard as a vodka-based Bloody Mary. However, the taste is fresher, cleaner, and tastier. It’s wonderfully tomatoey with the perfect amount of heat and spice. It’s a fantastic choice for summer brunches.
5. Sake Sangria
I mentioned earlier that there were a couple of sweet drinks on this list. The sake sangria is one of them. It’s delightfully and decadently fruity, lightly sweet, and delicious. You’ll combine sake, merlot, four different fruit juices, and club soda. Add a dash of simple syrup and some garnishes as finishing touches. It’s citrusy, flavorful, and hard to put down.
6. Spicy Mango Sake Rum Cocktail
Don’t let the lengthy ingredients list scare you away from this one. I know it looks intimidating, but the cocktail is pretty easy to make. Your food processor will do most of the work. It’s sweetly tart, tropical, and tangy. Plus, there’s a ton of heat in every sip. Of all the drinks on this list, this one is probably the spiciest. If you’re sensitive to hot stuff, pass this one up.
7. Sake Mojito
This drink’s flavor differs depending on your brand of sake. With dry sake, you’ll barely taste the difference between it and a typical mojito. If your sake brand is sweeter, you might notice a flowery aftertaste. Additionally, some sake brands give it a much tarter flavor – almost like lemonade or limeade. Either way, if you want a crisp, refreshing drink, this one is a good option. Bring out a tray of these on a summer day by the pool. Your guests will surely appreciate them.
8. Sake Lychee Martini
The sake lychee martini is easily the prettiest drink on this list. It has a delicate, elegant look perfect for weddings or anniversaries. It’s easy to make, too. You’ll combine dry sake with lychee juice, then add a lychee garnish. It shouldn’t take but a few minutes to whip it up. Fortunately, it tastes just as terrific as it looks. It has a light, brisk, invigorating flavor and isn’t too sweet.
9. Pink Sakura: A Cherry Blossom Sake Cocktail (Nigori Sake & Cherry Liquor)
Ah, cherry blossoms. They’re perhaps the only thing more recognizably Japanese than sake and samurai. This gorgeous drink capitalizes on both those things (not the samurai, of course). This sweet, flowery pink drink is a must-try for springtime brunches. It features sake, Maraschino cherry liqueur, and pink grapefruit juice. It has an intricate, enchanting flavor and smells as lovely as it looks and tastes. Don’t let its odd consistency turn you off. It’s a little thicker than it seems, but the taste is incredible.
10. The Cherry Blossom – A Sake and Gin Cocktail
This second cherry blossom cocktail is somewhat stronger than the last. It also features a more brilliantly red color. It, too, combines sake and cherry liqueur. However, it adds other tarter, more citrusy liqueurs, as well. It’s more potent and has a higher mouth pucker factor for those who drink it. Stick with this recipe if you prefer tangy to sweet.
11. The Phantom Love Song Cocktail
Here’s another fancy cocktail with a slightly spectral appearance. It’s light, smooth, and intensely floral. You can substitute a sweeter sake for a fruitier, brighter taste. However, I prefer sticking to dry sake. It gives the cocktail a unique, otherworldly flavor to match its ghostly look.
12. Grapefruit Honey Sake Cocktail
Sake, honey, and grapefruit don’t seem like they should go together. And indeed, this drink is somewhat of an acquired taste. However, if you’re the kind of person who loads grapefruit down with sugar, you’ll like it. Saying this drink tastes like ‘sweet grapefruit’ isn’t precisely correct. It gets you in the basic ballpark of how this tastes but doesn’t explain it perfectly. Think of it more like sweetened grapefruit covered in caramelized nuts. That may be closer to the truth. Despite its sweetness, the drink is reasonably refreshing. Apparently, the bitter-tart flavor of the grapefruit is all the crisp bite it needs.
13. Lotus Blossom Martini
This 3-minute martini is fruity, zesty, and heavily pear flavored. Its light gold color makes it ideal for more formal occasions. However, it uses just five ingredients and is simple to pull together. Therefore, it’s also an excellent choice for simpler affairs. Because of its fruity taste, it’s perfect for the spring and summer months. It’s easier to find the lychee during those months, as well. Click on a star to rate it!
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