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You might not know it, but sake can be just as much a cocktail base as any other alcohol! We’ve collected a few of the most popular options here, but we haven’t highlighted a specific sake to be used in any one of them specifically. We suggest using the best sake you can find! If you’re curious about that, perhaps a good place to start would be our short article on sake for wine lovers. However, if you’re completely new to sake, then something tried and true like Kikusui’s Junmai Ginjo would certainly work well.
Samurai

This is the classic sake cocktail in Japan. If an izakaya or bar has one sake-based cocktail on their menu, it’ll probably be this. The Samurai is essentially something like a sake sour, and, when made with a good sake, it can be incredibly tasty!
Ingredients:
- 3 oz (90 ml) sake
- 1 oz (30 ml) fresh lime juice
- Ice
- Lime wheel or wedge for garnish (optional)
Many bars in Japan also add a splash of lemon juice to the mix, so feel free to experiment! You could also try adding egg white (as with many sours) or bitters. It’s all up to you.
Instructions:
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Pour in the sake and fresh lime juice.
- Shake well for about 10-15 seconds until chilled.
- Strain into a chilled rocks glass with fresh ice or serve straight up in a coupe glass (or, you know, any glass you want).
- Garnish with lime if desired.
Saketini

Perhaps the second-most popular sake-based cocktail, it essentially substitutes sake for the classic dry vermouth in a martini.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz (60 ml) sake
- 1 oz (30 ml) gin
- Ice
- Classic martini garnish: lemon twist, olive, or cucumber slice
Instructions:
- Fill a mixing glass with ice.
- Pour in the sake and gin.
- Stir gently for about 20-30 seconds until well-chilled.
- Strain into a chilled glass (martini if you have one!).
- Garnish with a lemon twist, olive, cucumber slice, or whatever you’d like!
Sake Mojito

A sake mojito is just as it sounds: a mojito made using sake. Refreshing!
Ingredients:
- 2 oz (60 ml) sake
- 2 oz (60 ml) carbonated water (club soda or sparkling water)
- ½ oz (15 ml) simple syrup (adjust to taste)
- 4 lime wedges
- 6-8 fresh spearmint leaves
- Ice
Instructions:
- In a sturdy glass, muddle the lime wedges, mint leaves, and simple syrup together to release the flavors.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Pour in the sake and gently stir to mix.
- Top with carbonated water.
To be fancy, you can also garnish with an additional sprig of mint before serving!
Hot Sake Toddy

Hot sake (atsukan) is a tradition in Japan, so this is a natural mixing of east and west!
Ingredients:
- 6 oz (180 ml) sake
- 2-4 cloves (to taste)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 lemon wedge
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) honey (or to taste)
- Optional: a pinch of nutmeg, star anise, cardamom, or ginger extra spicy goodness
Instructions:
- In a small saucepan, heat the sake over low heat until warm but not boiling (around 130°F or 55°C). Alternatively, you can use a double boiler setup to heat it more slowly. Just be careful not to heat it too much!
- Pour the warm sake into a mug or heat-friendly glass.
- Stir in the honey in until dissolved.
- Add the cloves, cinnamon stick, and lemon wedge.
You can let it sit for a minute to infuse and then remove the cloves if you’d like.
You can also add lemon juice to taste if your preference is for something more acidic!
With this, hopefully we’ve helped to expand your conception of sake and how it can be used! Next time you’re hankering for one of the original beverages, or if you just don’t have another bottle on hand, try using sake!