New Cocktail Book Alert:Japanese Cocktails by Yuri Kato
Suntory, the company behind whiskeys such as Yamazaki 12 Year Old, 18 Year Old, Hibiki and other spirits such as Midori Melon Liqueur, recently partnered with Japanese cocktail and bartending consultant, Yuri Kato to distribute a new book on the spirits and cocktail culture, entitled “Japanese Cocktails”.
With more than a decade of experience in the spirits world, Yuri uses her new book to explore the history of spirits in Japan from the early 1900’s until current day.
Using her childhood and experiences with her mother and uncle, whom were both chefs she starts off by telling of her introduction to spirits, and uses this to occasionally reflect on cocktail and spirits throughout the book.
Throughout each chapter, Yuri manages to explain how each Japanese spirit is made, and educates the reader on common cocktails that can be found throughout Japan. With a chapter each dedicated to Sake, Shochu and Japanese Whisky, Yuri both explains the background of how each spirit is made, to how each is utilized in cocktails in a manner that’s both entertaining and educating. While previously familar with Shochu, Sake and Japanese Whiskies, I was amazed at some of the unique ingredients the Japanese utilize in some of their cocktails that American bartenders have not yet tried to work with. Ingredients including shark fin and scallops are featured in some of the cocktails showcased throughout the book. Yuri also manages to explain the differences between types of shochu and sake including shochu’s made from barley, wasabi, and sweet potato.
The last two chapters of the book, cover the history and rise of whisky (including the history of Suntory) in Japan
and display further recipes and vivid photos of Japanese bartending craftsmanship.
Japanese Cocktails will be released in March, retail for $14.95 at Amazon.com
