Time flies. It’s been almost a year since the ‘circuit breaker’ took place in Singapore. Come to think of it, where would you be usually at this time of the year (before the pandemic)?
“Japan!”
We get it. Spring in the land of the rising sun is spectacular, cherry blossoms abound, and everyone flocks to the parks, gardens, lakeside to admire the ethereal sight, hosting cherry blossom viewing picnics. Cherry blossoms have long been associated with the arrival of spring, and they are revered by the Japanese as their national flower. Oh, don’t you wish you could be strolling along Meguro River’s blooming promenade right now?
(ICYMI: Google Earth Offers A Virtual Tour Of Cherry Blossoms Around The World)
Although we can’t be travelling to Japan during this time of the year, there are alternatives to bask in the spirit of Spring, such as visiting Gardens by the Bay or tantalising your taste buds with these pretty cocktail recipes.
And we promise to keep these recipes simple and delicious!
1. Aomori Apple Lychee Martini
Japan has some of the most flavourful and sweet apple varieties, and the most famous of all is the Fuji Apple from Aomori Prefecture. There’s even an Aomori apple liqueur in the market, making it perfect to mix your own Japanese cocktail at home. This refreshing martini combines apple liqueur and lychee.
Ingredients (1 Serving)
Canned lychee
50ml Vodka
70ml Aomori Apple Liqueur
Splash of dry vermouth
Ice cubes
Directions:
Fill your shaker with ice. Add a few pieces of lychee and the rest of the ingredients into the cocktail shaker. Shake well until chilled through. Strain into a chilled martini or coupe glass. Garnish with lychee and serve.
2. Umeshu Cooler
For those who prefer something lighter, consider using Umeshu (Japanese plum liqueur) as the cocktail base. This recipe is similar to Japanese Whisky Sour, but instead of whisky, we use Umeshu. The Umeshu Cooler is a refreshing drink to beat the perpetual heat in Singapore, as the sweetness of the plum liqueur is perfectly balanced by the tartness of the lemon.
Ingredients (1 Serving)
1 shot of Choya Umeshu
2 shot of Sparkling Water mixed with freshly squeezed lemon juice (Or Sparkling Lemonade)
Lemon slices for garnish
Directions:
Fill a rocks glass with ice. Pour the umeshu over the ice, then top off with lemonade. Give it a stir and garnish with lemon slices.
Tip: To make your Umeshu cooler really fancy, add in one of the plums from the umeshu bottle into the bottom of the glass.
3. Sakura Highball
Highballs are a popular tipple of choice in Japan, and they are often made with Japanese whisky or mixed with shochu (Japanese traditional hard liquor). This particular highball recipe is created with the award-winning Kamiki Sakura Malt Whisky — the world’s first blended whisky to be aged in the cherry blossom tree cask. The effect of the sakura wood on this dram is outstanding. On the nose, it brings ripe banana, candied chestnuts, cinnamon and hints of pine. Kamiki whisky is one of Japan’s most prestigious whisky brands, made with pure Japanese spring water, the finest malt whiskies from the rest of the world, and aged in Japanese cedar wood cask. It’s even interesting to know that the whisky is blessed by Omiwa Priests, the oldest alcohol temple in Japan.
Ingredients (1 Serving)
2 shot of Kamiki Sakura Malt Whisky
4 shot of Sparkling Water
Ice cubes
Orange slices for garnish
Directions:
In an ice-filled highball glass, pour the whisky. Top with sparkling water, and stir the drink gently with a bar spoon to build up a bit of froth. Garnish with orange slices.
4. Tokyo Spring Punch
Sweet and zesty – the Tokyo Spring Punch is another fruity combination that’ll keep you coming back for more and if you skip the vodka, the kids will love it too.
Ingredients (1 Serving)
A handful of blackberries
2 slices of ginger, about 1 centimetre in diameter each
Juice of one small orange or pineapple
2 sprigs of mint for garnish
Splash of crème de cassis
1 shot of vodka
Ice cubes
Directions:
Muddle the blackberries, ginger, orange juice (or pineapple juice) and one sprig of mint in a rocks glass. Fill the glass with ice, then pour in the vodka and the crème de cassis. Give it a stir and garnish with the other mint sprig.
5. Iced Sencha Spritzer
Japanese Green Tea (also known as Sencha) boasts plenty of health benefits, and they are no longer just for ceramic tea mugs or serve as an after-meal tea. Japanese Green tea is showing up on cocktail menus too. Here’s a trendy cocktail recipe that’s easy to make and will go well with a hearty dinner at home.
Ingredients (1 Serving)
1 shot of Vodka
3 shot of Sencha (brewed green tea)
1 shot of Lime juice
Soda Water
Lemon slices for garnish
Cucumber slices for garnish
Directions:
In an ice-filled glass, pour the sencha, vodka, lime juice and a splash of soda water. Stir the drink gently with a bar spoon and garnish with lemon and cucumber slices.
