If you think that sake and matcha green tea are the only two popular drinks in Japan, you are wrong!
In the article below we will introduce to you the 10 most popular drinks in Japan that contain Alcoholic. Let’s refer!
10 most popular drinks in Japan that contain Alcoholic
Nihonshu (Sake)
Without mentioning legendary Japanese sake, no list of the best Japanese drinks would be complete (nihonshu, to be more specific). This alcoholic beverage comes in a variety of flavours and can be served cold or hot.
The traditional Japanese drink is created with water and fermented rice grains and has been around for millennia. While nihonshu comes in a variety of flavours, the most frequent ones have a balanced sweet and bitter taste. Because of the many variances, sampling regional nihonshu is best done by travelling around Japan.
Shochu
Shochu is a distilled beverage with a similar appearance and flavour to vodka. The clear, well-known Japanese beverage is prepared from rice, barley, buckwheat, or sweet potato, and comes in a variety of flavours.
These smells and scents can be found in most izakayas (small bars), with regional variations prevalent throughout Japan.
Umeshu
For those unable to drink spirits, umeshu is a better choice than other traditional Japanese liquors. Umeshu is a sweet and sour apricot wine. Umeshu tastes best when cold, quite easy to drink even though it has an alcohol content of about 10-15%.
An interesting fact about umeshu is that in Japan, while it is illegal to make sake, beer and wine at home, you can make your own umeshu at home without it being illegal, and in fact There are quite a few people who make this wine at home. Some people take great pride in their umeshu recipes, so don’t be surprised if you’re offered a glass when you visit someone’s house!
See more: 6 Popular Japanese Drinks Non-Alcoholic
Highball (Whiskey Soda)
If you walk into a Japanese bar or izakaya but can’t read the menu in Japanese, the safest choice besides beers is highball. Made from Japanese whiskey diluted with carbonated water, highball is a premium liquor that is both delicious and easy to drink. Suntory is perhaps Japan’s most famous whiskey maker, and whiskey from Suntory’s Kakubin brand is served as a premium liquor, commonly referred to as “Kaku-highball”. This is also a drink that is served quite a lot in Japanese bars.
Chuhai
Chuhai is short for “shochu-highball” and is usually sold in cans at most convenience stores in Japan. Chuhai is made from shochu alcohol combined with fruit flavors such as lemon, melon, grape, grapefruit or orange during carbonation. Of all the chuhais on sale, Strong Zero 9% is well known as the most popular because it tastes like juice despite its relatively high alcohol content. If you don’t like the smell of alcohol then this is the alcoholic drink for you.
Happoshu
Japan has no shortage of excellent beers and Asahi, Kirin and Sapporo are just a few on the list of famous breweries in the country. Have you ever heard of Happoshu? Happoshu is a beer-like beverage with about 67% malt – a major ingredient in beer. The remaining 33% is corn, soybeans and starch that contribute to the lighter flavor of this beer compared to regular beers. In addition, Happoshu is also said to be healthier than other beers, allowing those following strict diets to enjoy it without getting an upset stomach.
Amazake
Amazake is a low-alcohol variant of sake with a thick, sweet and milky texture similar to oatmeal. The unfiltered fermented rice grains keep their chewy and full texture, combined with alcohol, which is usually so low that it can sometimes be drunk even by children. You can also find Amazake sold by the cup at the stalls at the top of the mountain. Enjoying a cup of Amazake is a great way to lift your spirits before heading back to your climbing journey.
Momoshu
If you like sweetness then look no further, momoshu is the wine for you. Like umeshu, momoshu is a peach wine with a distinctive fruity flavor that will be very suitable for those who can’t stand the strong taste of alcohol. You can feel the freshness of peaches in the summer with the flavors of added nuts or herbs without being overwhelmed by the harsh taste of the wine!
Yuzushu
Yuzu is a fruit in the same family as oranges and tangerines that are very popular in Japan. If you like sour taste then yuzushu is the drink for you! Yuzushu is a well-balanced and perfect combination of sour and spicy alcohol, often enjoyed with sashimi or seafood to bring out the flavor of the fish. Light, refreshing, and unbelievably delicious, yuzushu is an alcoholic beverage you shouldn’t miss!
Awamori
A very typical drink from Okinawa and promises to be one of the most unique alcoholic drinks you will ever try. As the oldest distilled spirit in Japan, the recipe for awamori is said to have remained unchanged for over 500 years. To make awamori, you need to brew Thai rice until it forms a black mold called koji. Then, add water and yeast until the wine ferments and then take it to distillation. However, to help the wine ferment properly, you need to adjust the temperature and the appropriate brewing environment. That is why nowhere but the Okinawa Islands can brew this wonderful “elixir”.
As can be seen, Japanese drinks are not only rich but most of them bring benefits to human health.
If you have set foot in this country of the rising sun, do not miss the opportunity to enjoy 10 most popular drinks in Japan that contain Alcoholic.
