What kind of alcohol is sake?

Sake is a brewed rice beverage, so it's made more like beer than wine, even though it's called "rice wine." It usually runs 15 to 16% ABV.

What are the different types of sake?

The most common styles are junmai, honjozo, ginjo, daiginjo, and nigori. They differ mainly in how polished the rice is and whether a little distilled alcohol is added.

Is sake served hot or cold?

Both. Premium types like ginjo and daiginjo are best chilled, while junmai and honjozo are often served gently warmed.

Can I use sake for cooking?

Yes! You can use it in the same way you'd use a cooking wine. A splash can tenderize chicken or fish, deglaze a pan, and add gentle umami to a dish. One important note: sake and mirin are not the same. Mirin is sweeter, lower in alcohol, and has lots more sugar, so they behave different in recipes. Check my guide to mirin substitutes for more.

Sake Cocktail: The Southside!

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This sake cocktail is a delicious way to use this Japanese rice liquor! Mix it up into a classic Southside with lemon, lime and mint.

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 drink 1x
Category: Drink
Method: Shaken
Cuisine: Cocktails
Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale

6 mint leaves
3 ounces sake (I used junmai sake)
1/2 ounce lime juice
1/2 ounce lemon juice
1/2 ounce simple syrup
For the garnish: Lemon twist, mint leaves

Instructions

Add the mint leaves to a cocktail shaker and muddle them.
Add the sake, lemon juice, lime juice and simple syrup to cocktail shaker. Fill it with ice and shake until cold.
Strain the drink into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an additional mint leaf (smack it between your hands to release the oils) and a lemon twist.

Find it online: https://www.acouplecooks.com/sake-cocktail/