Sake, Japan’s national beverage, has long been a staple at sushi bars and restaurants. But its versatility doesn’t stop there – with the right mixers and garnishes, it can be transformed into a refreshing cocktail perfect for any occasion. From summer soirees to cozy gatherings, these 18 sake drink recipes will show you that this ancient liquor is more than just a complement to your meal. Whether you’re in the mood for something fruity and bubbly or crisp and citrusy, we’ve got you covered with our collection of innovative and delicious sake-based cocktails.
Sake Sunrise Cocktail
Brighten up your morning with a Sake Sunrise Cocktail, a refreshing twist on the classic mimosa. This Japanese-inspired drink combines the subtle flavors of sake with sweet and tangy notes.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 oz sake
– 1/2 oz orange liqueur (e.g., Cointreau or Grand Marnier)
– 1/2 oz freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
– 1/4 oz honey syrup (1:1 honey and water, dissolved)
– Splash of sparkling water
– Orange slice or wheel, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add sake, orange liqueur, grapefruit juice, and honey syrup to the shaker.
3. Shake gently for about 10-15 seconds to combine and chill ingredients.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled glass filled with ice.
5. Top with a splash of sparkling water.
6. Garnish with an orange slice or wheel.
Cooking Time: None! Enjoy your Sake Sunrise Cocktail immediately.
Lychee Sake Martini
Elevate your cocktail game with this unique and refreshing Lychee Sake Martini, featuring the sweet and floral flavors of lychees.
Ingredients:
– 2 oz sake
– 1 oz lychee liqueur
– 1/2 oz vodka
– 1/2 oz simple syrup (equal parts water and granulated sugar, dissolved)
– 1/4 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
– Lychee fruit, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add sake, lychee liqueur, vodka, simple syrup, and lime juice to the shaker.
3. Shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds to combine and chill ingredients.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass.
5. Garnish with a lychee fruit or a sprig of mint, if desired.
Cooking Time: None
Enjoy your delicious Lychee Sake Martini!
Yuzu Sake Spritzer
Elevate your social gatherings with this unique and revitalizing Yuzu Sake Spritzer, featuring the citrusy flavors of Japan.
Ingredients:
– 1 cup sake
– 1/2 cup sparkling water
– 1/4 cup freshly squeezed yuzu juice (or substitute with a combination of lemon and lime juice)
– 1/4 cup simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water, dissolved)
– Slices of yuzu peel, for garnish
Instructions:
1. In a large pitcher, combine sake and simple syrup. Stir until dissolved.
2. Add freshly squeezed yuzu juice and stir gently to combine.
3. Top with sparkling water and stir briefly.
4. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
5. Serve over ice in glasses and garnish with a slice of yuzu peel.
Cooking Time: None, as this is a chilled cocktail.
Matcha Sake Cooler
Escape the ordinary with this unique blend of Japanese matcha and sake, perfect for warm weather or any occasion that calls for a sophisticated sip.
Ingredients:
– 1 cup matcha powder
– 1/2 cup chilled sake
– 1/4 cup lemon juice
– 1/4 cup honey syrup (1:1 honey and water)
– Splash of sparkling water
– Ice cubes
– Fresh mint leaves or citrus slices for garnish
Instructions:
1. In a small bowl, whisk together matcha powder and a splash of hot water until smooth.
2. In a cocktail shaker, combine chilled sake, lemon juice, honey syrup, and matcha mixture.
3. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds.
4. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice.
5. Top with a splash of sparkling water.
6. Garnish with fresh mint leaves or citrus slices.
Cooking Time: None! This refreshing cooler is ready in just a few minutes.
Enjoy your Matcha Sake Cooler!
Ginger Sake Mule
Combine the spicy warmth of ginger with the crispness of a classic Moscow Mule.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 oz Ginger-infused Sake (or regular Sake)
– 3 oz Lime juice
– 4 oz Ginger beer
– 1/2 oz Simple syrup (equal parts water and granulated sugar, dissolved)
– Ice
– Lime wheel, for garnish
– Sprig of fresh ginger, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a copper mug or highball glass with ice.
2. Add the Ginger-infused Sake, lime juice, and simple syrup.
3. Top with ginger beer.
4. Stir gently to combine.
5. Squeeze a lime wheel over the drink and drop it in.
6. Garnish with a sprig of fresh ginger.
Cooking Time:
– Preparation time: 2 minutes
– Total time: 5 minutes
Strawberry Sake Sangria
This fruity and bubbly sangria is perfect for warm weather gatherings or anytime you need a refreshing drink. With the sweetness of strawberries, the subtlety of sake, and the effervescence of sparkling water, this recipe will become your new go-to for outdoor celebrations.
Ingredients:
– 1 bottle (750ml) of strawberry-flavored sake
– 1 cup of fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
– 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
– 1 orange, peeled and segmented
– 1 lemon, peeled and segmented
– 1 liter of sparkling water
– Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. In a large pitcher, combine the strawberry sake and sliced strawberries.
2. Add the sugar and stir until dissolved.
3. Add the orange and lemon segments to the pitcher.
4. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
5. Just before serving, add the sparkling water and stir gently.
6. Serve chilled and garnish with fresh mint leaves, if desired.
Cooking Time: None
Peach Sake Bellini
Elevate your brunch game with this unique and delicious twist on the classic Bellini cocktail. The sweetness of peaches pairs perfectly with the subtle sake flavor, creating a refreshing and sophisticated drink.
Ingredients:
– 1 ripe peach, pureed
– 2 oz sake
– 2 oz Prosecco or sparkling wine
– 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
– Fresh mint leaves for garnish
Instructions:
1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the peach puree and sake. Shake until well combined.
2. Fill a glass with ice and pour the peach-sake mixture over the ice.
3. Top with Prosecco or sparkling wine.
4. If desired, add 1 tablespoon of honey to balance the flavors.
5. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and serve immediately.
Cooking Time: 0 minutes (ready in seconds!)
Cucumber Mint Sake Refresher
Beat the heat with this refreshing twist on a classic sake cocktail. Cucumber and mint infuse this drink with a cooling, spa-like quality that’s perfect for warm weather.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 oz sake
– 1/2 oz cucumber puree
– 1/4 oz fresh lime juice
– 1/4 oz simple syrup (equal parts water and granulated sugar, dissolved)
– Handful of ice
– Fresh mint leaves for garnish
Instructions:
1. In a cocktail shaker, combine sake, cucumber puree, lime juice, and simple syrup.
2. Fill the shaker with handfuls of ice and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds to combine and chill ingredients.
3. Strain the mixture into a chilled glass filled with ice.
4. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and serve immediately.
Cooking Time: None! This drink is ready in minutes.
Spicy Pineapple Sake Punch
Elevate your cocktail game with this refreshing and spicy punch perfect for warm weather gatherings or special occasions. This unique blend combines the sweetness of pineapple with the spiciness of ginger, creating a truly unforgettable drink.
Ingredients:
– 2 cups pineapple juice
– 1 cup sake (Japanese rice wine)
– 1/2 cup ginger ale
– 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
– 1/4 cup simple syrup (equal parts water and granulated sugar, dissolved)
– 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
– Ice cubes
– Sliced pineapple, for garnish
Instructions:
1. In a large pitcher, combine pineapple juice, sake, and ginger ale.
2. Stir in lime juice and simple syrup until well combined.
3. Add ground ginger and stir to dissolve.
4. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
5. Serve the punch over ice and garnish with sliced pineapple.
Cooking Time: None, as this is a cocktail recipe!
Honey Lemon Sake Sour
A refreshing twist on the classic whiskey sour, this Honey Lemon Sake Sour combines the subtle sweetness of honey with the tanginess of lemon and the smoothness of sake. Perfect for warm weather or as a unique cocktail to impress your friends.
Ingredients:
– 2 oz sake
– 3/4 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
– 1/2 oz honey syrup (1:1 honey and water, dissolved)
– 1 dash Angostura bitters
– Ice
– Lemon twist or wheel, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add sake, lemon juice, and honey syrup to the shaker.
3. Add a dash of Angostura bitters.
4. Shake vigorously for about 10-12 seconds.
5. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
6. Garnish with a lemon twist or wheel.
Cooking Time: None (all ingredients are ready to use)
Cherry Blossom Sake Fizz
Experience the delicate flavor of cherry blossoms with this refreshing sake-based fizz. Perfect for warm weather and special occasions.
Ingredients:
– 1 cup sake (Japanese rice wine)
– 1/2 cup cherry blossom syrup
– 1 cup lemon-lime soda
– 1/4 cup simple syrup (equal parts water and granulated sugar, dissolved)
– Sliced green tea leaves or edible flowers for garnish
Instructions:
1. In a large pitcher, combine sake and cherry blossom syrup. Stir until well combined.
2. Add lemon-lime soda and simple syrup. Stir gently to combine.
3. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
4. Serve the Cherry Blossom Sake Fizz chilled, garnished with sliced green tea leaves or edible flowers.
Cooking Time: None
Watermelon Basil Sake Slush
Beat the heat with this unique and refreshing summer drink that combines sweet watermelon, fragrant basil, and crisp sake.
Ingredients:
– 2 cups cubed seedless watermelon
– 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
– 1 cup sake (Japanese rice wine)
– 1 tablespoon honey
– Ice cubes
Instructions:
1. In a blender or food processor, puree the watermelon until smooth.
2. Add the basil leaves and blend until well combined.
3. Pour in the sake and honey. Blend until fully incorporated.
4. Taste and adjust sweetness or basil level to your liking.
5. Fill glasses with ice and pour the slush over the top.
Cooking Time: None! This is a no-cook recipe, perfect for hot summer days.
Earl Grey Sake Tea Cocktail
Combine the soothing qualities of Earl Grey tea with the smooth taste of sake to create a unique and refreshing cocktail.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 oz sake
– 4 oz Earl Grey tea-infused simple syrup (see below)
– Juice of 1 orange slice
– Splash of lemon juice
– Ice
Earl Grey Tea-Infused Simple Syrup:
– 1 cup water
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 2 Earl Grey tea bags
Instructions:
1. Steep the Earl Grey tea bags in boiling water for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags and add sugar, stirring until dissolved.
2. Let the syrup cool to room temperature.
3. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine sake, tea-infused simple syrup, orange juice, and lemon juice.
4. Shake well for about 15-20 seconds to combine and chill ingredients.
5. Strain into a chilled glass filled with ice.
Cooking Time: None
Black Sesame Sake Shake
Experience the unique fusion of Japanese flavors with this Black Sesame Sake Shake recipe. This creamy and refreshing drink is perfect for hot summer days or as a special treat any time of the year.
Ingredients:
– 2 cups vanilla ice cream
– 1/4 cup sake (Japanese rice wine)
– 1/4 cup black sesame seeds
– 1 tablespoon honey
– 1/2 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
– Ice cubes
Instructions:
1. In a blender, combine vanilla ice cream, sake, and black sesame seeds.
2. Blend until smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides of the blender as needed.
3. Add honey and blend until well combined.
4. Add milk and blend until desired consistency is reached.
5. Taste and adjust sweetness or flavor as needed.
6. Pour into glasses filled with ice cubes.
Cooking Time: 2-3 minutes (blending time)
Passionfruit Sake Mojito
Combine the tropical flavors of passionfruit with the subtle sweetness of sake in this unique twist on the classic mojito cocktail.
Ingredients:
– 2 oz sake
– 1 oz fresh lime juice
– 1/2 oz simple syrup (equal parts water and granulated sugar, dissolved)
– 1/4 cup crushed ice
– 1/2 cup passionfruit puree or chunks
– Handful of mint leaves
– Club soda
Instructions:
1. In a cocktail shaker, gently press mint leaves with lime juice to release oils.
2. Add sake, simple syrup, and crushed ice. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds.
3. Strain mixture into a chilled glass filled with crushed ice.
4. Top with passionfruit puree or chunks and stir gently.
5. Top with club soda and garnish with additional mint leaves.
Cooking Time: None (cocktail preparation only)
Vanilla Bean Sake Latte
Start your day off right with this unique and delicious latte that combines the warmth of sake with the comfort of vanilla. This recipe is perfect for a chilly morning or as a relaxing treat any time of the year.
Ingredients:
– 1 cup strong brewed coffee
– 1/2 cup milk (whole, skim, or non-dairy)
– 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
– 1 tablespoon sake (Japanese rice wine)
– 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
Instructions:
1. Brew a cup of strong coffee and set aside.
2. In a small saucepan, warm the milk over medium heat until it starts to simmer.
3. Add the vanilla extract and whisk until well combined.
4. Remove the milk from the heat and stir in the sake.
5. Pour the brewed coffee into a mug, then add the warmed milk mixture.
6. Sprinkle with cinnamon if desired, and serve immediately.
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Lemongrass Ginger Sake Highball
Revive your spirits with this refreshing highball infused with the zesty flavors of lemongrass and ginger.
Ingredients:
– 2 oz sake
– 1 oz fresh lime juice
– 1/2 oz lemongrass syrup (see note)
– 1/2 oz ginger liqueur
– Splash of soda water
– Ice
– Lime wheel, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a highball glass with ice.
2. Pour in the sake, lime juice, and lemongrass syrup.
3. Add the ginger liqueur and stir gently to combine.
4. Top with a splash of soda water.
5. Stir once more and garnish with a lime wheel.
Note: To make lemongrass syrup, combine 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, and 2 stalks fresh lemongrass in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and let cool before using.
Blueberry Lavender Sake Smash
Elevate your cocktail game with this unique and refreshing Blueberry Lavender Sake Smash. This sweet and savory drink combines the sweetness of blueberries, the subtle charm of lavender, and the smoothness of sake.
Ingredients:
– 2 oz Sake
– 1 oz Freshly squeezed lime juice
– 1/2 oz Simple syrup (1:1 sugar and water)
– 1/4 cup Blueberry puree
– 1/4 cup Lavender syrup (see note)
– Ice
– Lime wheel and fresh lavender sprigs for garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add sake, lime juice, simple syrup, blueberry puree, and lavender syrup to the shaker.
3. Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds to combine and chill ingredients.
4. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice.
5. Garnish with a lime wheel and fresh lavender sprigs.
Cooking Time: None
Summary
Discover a world of refreshing sake drink recipes to suit every occasion! From classic cocktails like the Sake Sunrise Cocktail and Lychee Sake Martini, to fruity twists like Strawberry Sake Sangria and Peach Sake Bellini, there’s something for everyone. Try new flavors with the Yuzu Sake Spritzer, Matcha Sake Cooler, and Ginger Sake Mule, or get creative with the Spicy Pineapple Sake Punch and Watermelon Basil Sake Slush. Whether you’re looking for a sweet treat like Vanilla Bean Sake Latte or a revitalizing drink like Cucumber Mint Sake Refresher, these 18 recipes will quench your thirst and impress your guests.
