6 Shōchū Cocktails With Complex Yet Balanced Flavor

You're wandering through the liquor store, grabbing your usual supplies, and you spotted a bottle of Shōchū. Add it to your cart and don't look back. This Japanese distilled spirit is about to change your cocktail game.

What Is Shōchū?

Much like brandy, Pisco, and singani, Shōchū (not to be confused with Korean soju) is the result of distillation. Instead of coming from South America, this distilled liquor's roots take us to Japan. A product of distilling rice, barley, sweet potatoes, or even brown sugar, it's not quite as boozy as whiskey or baijiu, as it clocks in at 50 proof, compared to whiskey at 100 proof.

If you're curious about what Shōchū tastes like, you can expect notes of melon and green apple, with hints of citrus, and, of course, a soft hint of umami thanks to the rice. It is delicious.

How Do You Drink Shōchū?

Enjoy your Shōchū on the rocks, straight up, or mixed into a cocktail. You don't need to warm it or freeze it. Keep your Shōchū bottle alongside the rest of your spirits, and it's always ready for you to break it out.

Although, don't be afraid to enjoy it in a chilled coupe, in a rocks glass over some ice, or in a riff on a classic cocktail.

Japanese Sidecar

Citrus on citrus but with crisp, refreshing flavors? This sidecar riff is our new number-one ride.

Ingredients

• Lemon wedge and sugar for rim
• 1½ ounces Shōchū
• ¾ ounce orange liqueur
• ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Ice
• Lemon wheel for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. To prepare rim, rub the rim of the glass with the lemon wedge.
3. With the sugar on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the sugar to coat.
4. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, Shōchū, orange liqueur, and lemon juice.
5. Shake to chill.
6. Strain into the prepared glass.
7. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

Shōchū Old-Fashioned

Enjoy an old-fashioned that won't give you as big of a buzz. Don't worry about losing any of the flavor, this old-fashioned is overflowing with it.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces Shōchū, preferably barrel aged
• ¾ ounce simple syrup
• 3-4 dashes orange bitters
• 2-3 dashes aromatic bitters
• Ice
• Orange twist for garnish

Instructions

1. In a mixing glass, add ice, Shōchū, simple syrup, and bitters.
2. Stir rapidly to chill.
3. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
4. Garnish with an orange twist.

Shōchū Mule

Also known as the Yuzu Pop, the base spirit in your classic mule gets a little extra something other than simply existing. No shade, but sometimes you want your Moscow mule to be a little more exciting.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces Shōchū
• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• Ice
• Ginger beer to top off
• Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions

1. In a rocks glass or copper mug, add ice, Shōchū, and lime juice.
2. Top off with ginger beer.
3. Stir briefly to mix.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Sour Lemon Shōchū Cocktail

Whip out the egg whites for a savory and sour Shōchū cocktail to put all the other sours to shame.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces Shōchū
• 1 egg white
• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ½ ounce lemon liqueur
• ½ ounce simple syrup
• Ice
• Lemon zest for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In a cocktail shaker, add Shōchū, lemon juice, lemon liqueur, simple syrup, and egg white.
3. Dry shake for approximately 45 seconds to mix ingredients and create a froth.
4. Add ice to the shaker.
5. Shake to chill.
6. Strain into the chilled glass.
7. Garnish with lemon zest.

Japanese 75

Gin isn't the only spirit to partner well with fizzy prosecco. The citrus and apple notes in Shōchū are a match made in heaven with those crisp bubbles.

Ingredients

• 1 ounce Shōchū
• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ¼ ounce simple syrup
• Ice
• Prosecco to top off
• Lemon ribbon for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a Champagne coupe.
2. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, Shōchū, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
3. Shake to chill.
4. Strain into the chilled glass.
5. Top off with prosecco.
6. Garnish with a lemon ribbon.

Shōchū and Tonic

Keep it simple! The botanical flavors of Shōchū are an excellent complement to the tonic in a simple highball. Very reminiscent of another classic tonic drink.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces Shōchū
• Ice
• Tonic water to top off
• Lemon wedge for garnish

Instructions

1. In a highball glass, add ice and Shōchū.
2. Top off with tonic water.
3. Stir briefly to mix.
4. Garnish with a lemon wedge.

Take a Leap of Faith on Shōchū

Don't let fear of the new hold you back from Shōchū. You couldn't find a more approachable yet delicious liquor to add to your cabinet. Take the risk, you won't regret it.