Delve into the world of Japanese alcohol with Japan’s national drink – sake. The rice-based beverage has been enjoyed for centuries and comes with several drinking etiquette rules and traditions, firmly solidifying its place in Japanese culture.
Get a taste of this renowned drink with our plentiful sake selection, offering a range of different types and flavours.
what is japanese rice wine?
Sake, or nihonshu as it’s known in Japan, is a kind of Japanese rice wine that is made by fermenting rice with a method that is more similar to beer brewing than distilling. This method helps create a distinct drink with a mild, slightly sweet taste.
In its most basic form, sake is often likened to a dry white wine. Sake can also be sold in varying forms, with sparkling sake, cloudy and flavoured types available.
sake alcohol content
The alcohol content of most sake is around 15% ABV, making it slightly stronger than typical grape wine.
dry sake
If you like a dry, very refreshing alcoholic beverage, sake is a great option. Dry sake has a crisp, fruity flavour and is best served chilled.
cloudy sake
You can also get what’s known as cloudy or nigori sake, which is unfiltered and still has rice solids in the drink. This results in sweeter and creamier sake.
flavoured sake
Traditional sake has a fresh, almost fruity taste. If you want to take this even further, it’s certainly worth trying a flavoured sake, as you’ll find options with peach, strawberry and yuzu hints.
If you’re a lover of flavoured alcohol like this, you’ll also want to try Korean soju, which is available with a range of fruity twists too.
Ozeki is a particularly renowned sake brand that offers classic, dry, cloudy and sparkling options.
sake etiquette
Whatever kind you’re drinking, remember there are particular traditions around drinking sake that’ll make the drinking experience that much more enjoyable. You can find out more in our guide on how to drink Japanese sake.
