Whenever people go to a hibachi or Japanese style restaurant, it is nearly impossible not to order hot sake or a sake bomb. For Westerners, many perceive sake as a hot drink, but there is much more to it and for hundreds of years it has been considered the Japanese version of wine. The House of Gekkeikan has brewed the world’s finest sake for over 400 years and won numerous accolades.
With breweries in Japan and California, Gekkeikan offers 8 different styles of sake that are completely all natural, sulfite and gluten free. All made from rice, yeast and alcohol, the determining factor of the sake is the kind of rice used. Since there are no preservatives or sulfite mixed in the sake, the shelf life is considerably shorter than regular liquor and spirits. According to Gekkeikan, sake remains good for 2 years after bottling, which means the fresher the sake, the better.
Gekkeikan showcased their different brands at KOA New York in Chelsea. From the Black & Gold’s tropical fruit aromas and papaya taste to the delicious Zipang Sparkling Sake’s Asian pear flavor, Gekkeikan proved that there is so much to know about sake.
As a person with an appreciation of both the wine and Proseco, the sparkling sake was surprisingly refreshing and exactly what wine lovers would look for. By looks it can pass for Proseco, but once it hits the palate, the fruity taste combined with a lime zest is a thirst quencher and differentiating character. From oysters to edamame and even fruit salad or sorbet, Sparkling Sake goes great with an array of dishes.
Gekkeikan mixologists proved that sake can be the substitute for a common cocktail, such as the mojito. Instead of using rum, people can use Gekkeikan Ngori which is noticeable, but has a vibrant peach, banana and mango taste that will make people love the alternative. Guests at the event were able to craft their own sake cocktails and below is a refreshing sake cocktail that is a must try and made by yours truly:
The Twisted Sake
2 oz. Black and Gold
1 oz. Pear Nectar
1 oz. Orange Juice
2 Rasberries Crushed
1 lychee fruit crushed
Mix ingredients into a shaker and pour into a tall glass with ice.
Sake is much more than what people expected, and comes in an array of tastes and flavors. It captures the boldness of Japan and will have people asking for sake instead of the usual liquor. Gekkeikan Sake is available throughout the city at numerous restaurants and liquor stores.
Twisted Talk: Did you know about all the different kinds of sake? Will you be trying them the next time you go out to dinner? Discuss below!
