What is this magical drink?
August 29, 2006 6:13 PM Subscribe
Help us figure out what this Japanese alcoholic drink is.
The mystery bottle was brought back from Japan by a friend. We think it might be Shochu but we're not sure what kind, or what it's made from, or most importantly, how we should drink it.
The mystery bottle was brought back from Japan by a friend. We think it might be Shochu but we're not sure what kind, or what it's made from, or most importantly, how we should drink it.
Around these parts (Manhattan) they mix that stuff into your standard vodka cocktails in place of vodka or make froofy japanese cocktails with stuff like lychee juice, sake, shochu, etc. Pretty good if you ask me.
posted by ch1x0r at 6:53 PM on August 29, 2006
posted by ch1x0r at 6:53 PM on August 29, 2006
Shouchuu is a stronger clear liquor that is usually made by distilling sweet potatoes, rice, barley or buckwheat. It can exceed 40% alcohol but usually It can be drunk on the rocks, watered down, or as chuuhai.
From here.
posted by ifranzen at 7:05 PM on August 29, 2006
From here.
posted by ifranzen at 7:05 PM on August 29, 2006
Chill it, pour it in a glass with some ice, and then add freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. Yum!
posted by gomichild at 7:08 PM on August 29, 2006
posted by gomichild at 7:08 PM on August 29, 2006
i say drink it straight up!
i had shouchuu for the first time a week or so ago. it's so unbelievably smooth! though, yes, very strong. enjoy!
posted by freudianslipper at 7:23 PM on August 29, 2006
i had shouchuu for the first time a week or so ago. it's so unbelievably smooth! though, yes, very strong. enjoy!
posted by freudianslipper at 7:23 PM on August 29, 2006
During a memorable night bar-hopping in Osaka we mostly drank this straight up in large tumblers, each with a single giant round ice cube which I was told was hand-carved by old Japanese men. Given how hard it is to come by in North America I'd say that anything other than straight-up is a waste... if you mix it you may as well be drinking vodka.
posted by Gortuk at 8:25 PM on August 29, 2006
posted by Gortuk at 8:25 PM on August 29, 2006
I'm sorry steal the spotlight, but ifranzen, do you know where one might acquire some chuuhai? I've been looking for that stuff (in California) for some time now.
Oh, and I third or whatever the drinking this straight-up. No mixing.
posted by dihutenosa at 10:25 PM on August 29, 2006
Oh, and I third or whatever the drinking this straight-up. No mixing.
posted by dihutenosa at 10:25 PM on August 29, 2006
On ice or diluted with ice, I always had it diluted on ice with a lemon slice. I think I`ve drank this brand before but it`s hard to tell.
posted by robofunk at 10:41 PM on August 29, 2006
posted by robofunk at 10:41 PM on August 29, 2006
Ku soju has been made in Korea since the 14th century.
Sweet potato vodka, very tasty .
posted by hortense at 11:18 PM on August 29, 2006
Sweet potato vodka, very tasty .
posted by hortense at 11:18 PM on August 29, 2006
dihutenosa, chuuhai is just the term for cocktail drinks made with shochu. A popular mixer is Calpis/Calpico which you can buy in most Japanese markets in original and peach flavors.
Like ch1xor said, you can sub it in place of vodka in any normal cocktail. However, good shochu is better appreciated like scotch - straight up or on the rocks.
posted by junesix at 1:05 AM on August 30, 2006
Like ch1xor said, you can sub it in place of vodka in any normal cocktail. However, good shochu is better appreciated like scotch - straight up or on the rocks.
posted by junesix at 1:05 AM on August 30, 2006
Here's a link to Yahoo! Answers that might help those of you looking to buy chuhai in the United States.
posted by armage at 12:02 PM on August 30, 2006
posted by armage at 12:02 PM on August 30, 2006
Some online shochu (Japan) / soju (Korea) vendors: 1 2
Calpico/Calpis here
Essentially any major sake vendor should have a bottle or two of shochu. America is just coming to grips with sake appreciation so shochu/soju are still rather rare. Buying bottled chuuhai is like buying bottled margaritas - it's much better if you buy the ingredients and make it yourself.
If you have a Japanese market nearby, shochu/soju is also quite good with a splash of yuzu juice.
posted by junesix at 12:39 PM on August 30, 2006
Calpico/Calpis here
Essentially any major sake vendor should have a bottle or two of shochu. America is just coming to grips with sake appreciation so shochu/soju are still rather rare. Buying bottled chuuhai is like buying bottled margaritas - it's much better if you buy the ingredients and make it yourself.
If you have a Japanese market nearby, shochu/soju is also quite good with a splash of yuzu juice.
posted by junesix at 12:39 PM on August 30, 2006
By the way, being made from starch it's basically Japanese vodka or that's how it's referred to in the restaurant industry. It's stronger and I think smoother. Love it.
posted by scazza at 1:24 PM on August 30, 2006
posted by scazza at 1:24 PM on August 30, 2006
The other reason it's so prevalent in New York is that you don't need a special liquor license for it--a beer/wine license will do fine.
posted by j.s.f. at 3:22 AM on September 10, 2006
posted by j.s.f. at 3:22 AM on September 10, 2006
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This particular shouchuu is made from buckwheat.
I got drunk off my rear end on about a thimbleful of shouchuu last New Year's. It's potent stuff.
I have no suggestions about how to drink it, except--carefully.
posted by Jeanne at 6:36 PM on August 29, 2006