Sake cocktails

Words by: Simon Difford

Commonly referred to as a ‘rice-wine’ sake is phenomenal in cocktails and pairs well with any spirit. However, beware, a sake’s delicate flavours can be easily shrouded. Use a good quality sake - we recommend a Junmai ginjō.

Damm It Jimmy
Stirred down sake, white rum, fino sherry and dry vermouth - delicately flavoured and ever so slightly sweet. Pairs well with blue cheese stuffed olives.


Iced Sake Martini
A simple combination of vodka, sake and icewine (a type of dessert wine produced from grapes that have been frozen while still on the vine). The icewine adds interesting and wonderfully honeyed notes to this Sake Martini.


Sake Martini
A dry, subtle version of a Sake Marini, the quality of this drink really depends on your choice of sake. Use London dry gin, sake and dry vermouth stirred down and garnish with an apple slice.

Sakura Martini
This sake based reverse martini benefits from the merest dash of maraschino and is the signature cocktail at Kenta Goto's 'Bar Goto' in New York City.

Smokey Joe
Sake sweetened with Sauternes wine combined with cognac, Islay whisky and garnished with a beef flavoured Hula Hoop.


Special Brew Martini
There's 'beer' and then there's 'Byrrh.

Sumo In A Sidecar
Despite the name this 'sidecar' is delicate and apricot flavoured.


Voyager Vodka Martini
Why have your Martini dampened by just vermouth when the Japanese and the Peruvians have so much more to give?


Eastern Raspberry Sidecar
Raspberries, cognac, sake and triple sec balanced with a dash of citrus and sugar, this contemporary-style cocktail was created by Ryan Magarian in Seattle.

More sake cocktails on Difford's Guide.