The issue I have with many sake cocktails is that they taste like flabby, watered down versions of better drinks. I love low-alcohol cocktails but don't think they should aspire to taste like high-alcohol ones. There, I said it.
I was looking through various sake cocktail recipes online and couldn't find anything I wanted to make for just this reason, but I was really in the mood for a sake cocktail so I ended up creating one. It's almost too simple to call a cocktail (and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if someone else has created this same drink), but I'll persist.
I started with Momo Kawa organic junmai ginjo sake, which is actually made in Oregon rather than Japan. To that I added a bit of grapefruit juice (I find grapefruit notes in many sakes) and splash of soda. The drink comes out fairly tart as it has no sweetener (feel free to add a dash of simple syrup if you want) but that just encourages you to take another sip.
I'm quite happy with how the drink came out- light, refreshing, and tart- and I have a feeling I'll be going though a lot of sake this summer.
Grapefruit Sake Spritzer
By Camper English
3 fl. oz. Good-Quality Sake, such as Momo Kawa Organic Junmai Ginjo
1.5 fl. oz. Fresh Grapefruit Juice
1 fl. oz. Soda Water
Grapefruit Peel for Garnish
Add all liquid ingredients to an ice-filled Collins glass and give a quick stir. Garnish with grapefruit peel.
