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Enjoying Sake

Sake can be enjoyed both hot and cold, or even as a cocktail. There is also an abundance of options of glasses from which one can drink sake. With all of these, plus a rich variety of sake pairings, there are limitless ways to enjoy this traditional drink.

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Hot and Cold

Hot sake for the cold, cold sake for the heat

Cold sake brings you a more refreshing aromatic flavor and smoother texture. You can cool it down in the refrigerator. You'll want to not cool it too much, keeping it above 41 °F.

Hot sake brings out the activation of aromatic components,  with a mellower, and a drier taste. You can warm sake in hot water, or in a microwave oven in a proper container. The boiling point of sake is 173 °F. Don't warm it too much.

Cocktails

For a more flavorful drink

Compared to the alcohol content of gin, rum, and vodka (40%), the alcohol content of sake is 15-20% (up to 22%). It's close to that of wine (10-15%). You can make healthier and softer cocktails with sake. You can squeeze in a lemon or lime, or mix it with some Rachel's Ginger Beer (Seattleites' favorite). Be your own mixologist!

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Sake Glasses

Modern glasses & traditional cups

Riedel, a famous German wine glass maker, also produces sake ​glasses. He produces both glasses with and without a stem for both Daiginjo and Junmai. Some Japanese glassmakers also produce unique Daiginjo glass shapes.

You can find various types of sake containers, such as kikichoko, for tasting o-choko, with a blue circle to recognize the color, and Tamba pottery guinomi. Tamba pottery is one of the oldest forms of pottery in Japan. When you come to Japan, visit Tamba to find your favorite. You can enjoy various types of Guinomi, such as lacquered, wooden, china, pottery, or glass. Enjoy sipping!

Pairings

Superb with various dishes

Compared to wine or beer, sake combines well with certain dishes. This is because it controls the fishy smell of seafood, brings out the taste of the ingredients of dishes, combines well with the strong flavor of spices, and combines well with the aromas of fruits and herbs.

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