Shochu is a traditional Japanese liquor that is often made from rice, but can be made from a wide variety of different ingredients. It tends to be stronger than sake, but not as strong as whiskey or vodka. It has a nutty, earthy flavor that is delicious on its own, but also makes for tasty mixed drinks. Here are some unique and yummy ways to make mixed drinks with shochu.
Shochu Oolong Mixer
This cocktail is so simple and tasty, you won’t believe it! Start with a chilled glass filled almost to the top with ice. Pour one shot of shochu over the ice, and stir to cool it down. Add in the iced oolong tea and mix! Then simply slice up some lemon to add as a garnish and serve! Simply, yummy and perfectly light. Great for happy hour with friends.
Apple Sour
This light, refreshing shochu drink is a delightful twist on the classic sweet and sour drinks. Start with pouring apple juice into your glass over ice cubes. Mix in the shochu, and then fill the glass with club soda to add a little bit of sparkle! Stir the this all together to make sure everything is thoroughly mixed in. Then squeeze the juice of half a lemon into each glass, add a dash of maple syrup to sweeten things up and serve!
Yuzu Sour
Yuzu, or citrus junos, is a Japanese citrus fruit similar to a grapefruit or a mandarin orange that is used often in Japanese cuisine. The bright flavor also creates a delicious cocktail. For this drink, start by mixing shochu with yuzu and honey preserve. Once they are combined, add in ice to cool the drink down and serve! Wow, so simple and yummy!
