How to Make Sake Cocktail (With Mocktail Option Recipe)

While wine and champagne have long been the classic choices for celebrations like Christmas and New Year, a Japanese sake cocktail can bring a fresh, intriguing twist to your holiday gatherings. This recipe introduces a festive sake cocktail recipe made with umeshu (plum wine), along with a non-alcoholic mocktail option for those who prefer a lighter drink.

What Is Japanese Sake?

Japanese sake, or nihonshu, is a traditional rice wine crafted by fermenting polished rice. If you’d like to explore the heritage behind premium sake, you can learn more about one of Japan’s oldest breweries in our feature on Tsuki no Katsura, a Kyoto sake brewery founded in 1675.

Types of Sake and Their Characteristics

There are many types of sake, each offering a unique flavor profile:

• Junmai-shu – made purely with rice, water, and koji
• Honjozo-shu – includes a small amount of distilled alcohol
• Nigori Sake – cloudy sake retaining rice sediments for a rich, creamy texture
• Sparkling Sake – lightly effervescent and ideal for celebrations

Understanding sake begins with the rice polishing process. To see how polishing affects purity and flavor, read our guide on polished grades of sake rice.

Sake vs. Japanese Fruit Liqueurs

In addition to traditional sake, Japan offers sweet, fruit-based liqueurs like umeshu (plum wine) and yuzushu. Although these aren’t categorized as nihonshu, they are widely enjoyed for their bright, mellow flavors and make excellent bases for cocktails.

Why Sake Works Beautifully in Cocktails

Sake’s delicate umami and nuanced aroma make it an exceptional cocktail ingredient. It blends smoothly with sparkling water, fruit, herbs, and syrups, offering elegance without overpowering sweetness or bitterness.

For umeshu cocktails, select umeshu made with a neutral spirit for a clean, fresh flavor.
Suggested ratios:

• Umeshu cocktails: 1:1 (umeshu: sparkling water)
• Nihonshu cocktails: 2:8 (sake: mixer)
• Shochu cocktails: varies depending on alcohol content

Choosing the Right Cocktail Method

Cocktail methods include:

• Add ingredients directly to the glass
• Stir in a mixing glass, then strain
• Shake or use a cocktail shaker
• Mix with ice for texture

For this recipe, the build method is used, easy, beginner-friendly, and perfect for drinks with fruit or jelly.

Presentation and Final Tips

A wine glass adds a festive, elegant touch, but copper tumbler is also a great option. I named this cocktail “Fizzy Plum Delight.” It carries a fruity, refreshing flavor from the mint leaves, and the natural pink color from the berries gives it an elegant touch, perfect during or after meals on festive days. Umeshu adds sweet, fruity depth, and combined with fresh fruits, jelly, and sparkling water, it's super refreshing!