Let’s Talk about Mixology, Part 55

by Amer A. Vargas

Strawberry Sake Cocktail

Even though traveling is currently limited worldwide, this month our cocktail column takes us to Japan to find the origin of this month’s cocktail choice: the Strawberry Sake cocktail.

This exquisite concoction combines the sweetness of strawberries, the acidity of yuzu juice and the exclusive fruitiness of a nice sake.

These are the ingredients that you need for two servings:

• 100 ml./3.5 oz. of ginjô (premium) or daiginjô (super premium) sake
• Half a teaspoon of yuzu juice
• 8 fresh strawberries (and 2 additional for garnish), washed and leaves removed
• 1 1/2 tablespoons of white sugar
• Ice cubes

The preparation is quite simple: place the sake, 8 strawberries, yuzu juice and the sugar in a cocktail shaker and muddle until you get a homogeneous mixture. Then fill the shaker almost all the way with ice cubes and shake vigorously for a few seconds, until the outside feels ice cold.

Strain the contents into martini glasses and garnish with a strawberry.

And the next time, if you feel adventurous, try changing the strawberries for another fruit of your preference.

Cheers and kanpai!

Mr. Vargas is the Institute’s President—feel free to contact him via email, AmerVargas @ modernbutlers.com

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.