Drinks
Sake, umeshu and Japanese spirits
Sake is Japan's most storied drink. Brewed from polished rice, it can be delicate and floral at the lighter end, or rich, umami-forward and almost savoury in the fuller styles. We stock a range from junmai to daiginjo, each with a character worth exploring on its own terms. Temperature matters more with sake than with most drinks. Chill the lighter, more fragrant bottles, and warm the fuller ones gently in a carafe. Pair with our sake cups and carafes for the right presentation.
Umeshu sits in its own category. Made by steeping ume plums in shochu and sugar, it has a deep amber colour and a flavour that swings between sweet and sharp. It can be described as a little jammy and a little sour, with a long, lingering finish. Over ice it's a simple pleasure. With a splash of soda, it becomes something livelier. It's one of the most approachable Japanese alcoholic drinks in the range and a reliable starting point for anyone new to the category.
Japanese spirits reach further than most people expect. Japanese shochu, the country's most-consumed spirit, is distilled from sweet potato, barley or rice depending on the style, and brings a dry, earthy warmth that bears no real resemblance to the vodka comparisons it sometimes attracts.
Japanese soft drinks and tea
Japan brings the same precision to soft drinks as it does to its cooking. Our range uses yuzu, shiso and sakura blossom as proper flavour foundations. Yuzu has a citrus sharpness that's tighter and more aromatic than lemon; shiso brings an anise-like edge that works well in long drinks over ice. Botanical syrups in the range dilute into something far more interesting than a standard cordial and sit well alongside food.
Japanese tea is a category on its own. Sencha is clean with a gentle grassiness. Houjicha is roasted, low in caffeine and easy to drink at any point in the day. Matcha, stone-ground and whisked to a foam, has a concentrated, slightly bitter depth that nothing else in a cup quite replicates. Our popular Japanese drinks collection includes both everyday loose-leaf teas and ceremony-grade matcha for those who want the full ritual.
Get inspired with some recipes
Japanese Rice Amazake Recipe by Yuki Gomi
Yuki Gomi teaches us who to make our own amazake, a very traditional Japanese fermented sweet rice drink packed with...
Umeshu Spritz Cocktail Recipe
A Umeshu Spritz is perfect for a romantic meal or as an aperitif. A refreshing, lightly sweet & bubbly cocktail...
Matcha Latte
Perfect for starting your day or as an afternoon pick-me-up, this recipe brings a touch of Japanese tradition to your...