The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
Members have found several aperitifs and ingredients that work well with sake in cocktail applications, particularly for Sake Spritzes and similar serves. **Aperitif pairings:** - **Dolin de Chambery dry vermouth** — recommended as a classic pairing with sake - **Cinzano vermouth extra dry** — noted for additional salinity that complements sake - **Everleaf Marine** — praised in combination with sake and soda; also works with a Seven Tails rinse - **Yuzu aperitifs or yuzu-based spirits** — **Akashi Tai Yuzushu** (from Marussia/The Whisky Exchange) is highly recommended for a Yuzu Sake Spritz **Other ingredient combinations:** - **Pina Colada base** — sake works well in this classic template - **Vodka** — if looking to increase ABV without competing flavours; suggested at 1:5 ratio with sake (gin is not recommended as it will overpower the sake) - **Everleaf Marine with soda** — simple, effective pairing - **Crossip Fresh Citrus** — works in combination with sake, sparkling tea, and shiso leaves - **Sparkling tea** — Saicho jasmine sparkling tea pairs well; can be enhanced with yuzu or lychee aperitifs - **Yuzu** — appears frequently as a complementary flavour - **Shiso leaves** — noted as a garnish/flavouring element **Supplier recommendations:** - **Kanpai London** — local sake brewery run by a husband-and-wife team; noted as supportive of small businesses - **Shima** — produces a sake spritz range and willing to collaborate Members advise trying sake first on its own (neat or with lemonade and ice) or in simple serves before building more complex cocktails, to understand its character.