Honkaku shochu is the most premium form of shochu - single distilled.
Honkaku shochu is generally bottled at about 25% alcohol, which is higher than sake or wine, but not as strong as whisky, gin, or vodka.
Maewari
This is a practice amongst aficionados of pre-diluting shochu with water (6 parts water/4 parts shochu) and letting it sit for a day or more to settle in before drinking. The flavour becomes quite soft and mellow.
Straight up or on the rocks
Yes please! Probably the most common way to enjoy honkaku shochu is on the rocks or rocks with a little water or soda. Alternatively keep a bottle in the fridge to enjoy cold without diluting with ice.
Hot or cold water – Mizuwari or Oyuwari
Dilute about 2 parts cold water to 3 parts shochu and drink like wine.
Use hot water in winter for the ultimate winter warmer.
Unleash the inner mixologist
Use shochu as a cocktail base - a whole new ingredient to infuse, shake, blend and stir.
From experience different types of shochu are better served one way over another. And the best way to find out? … Experiment.
Buy Shochu online or in our Sydney or Melbourne stores.
