Hi All!
Today I have another guest Tipsy Tuesday from my friend Cael, who did the lavender infused gin in September! He is always making the coolest drinks!
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I’m not sure about all of you, but I’m not ready to let go of summer.
I know, I know.. December is here, holiday music can be heard on a loop in every department store (and not even the funny ones! (“Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer” anyone?), lights and decorations are starting to come out of storage and Grandmothers everywhere are baking up a veritable storm in their kitchens. It really is a wonderful time of year… But I never seem to be able to settle into it all until the holidays are ten feet in front of me. I miss the sun, and the warm summer days. I miss the impromptu day trips to the beach. And I really miss just hanging out on the deck with music blasting in the background, doing nothing but just relaxing spending time with the people I care about most, sipping a beer or a nice cocktail
That’s exactly why I love this drink. It’s almost comically simple to make, it’s refreshing, and it’s absolutely perfect for whenever you’re entertaining – or if you just want to sit back, close your eyes, and pretend for a moment that there isn’t a blizzard raging outside.
PLUM SAKE-TINI
- Half a plum, muddled
- 1 oz Vodka
- 1 oz Sake
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
I have to admit, I didn’t know too much about the drink until I had the opportunity to visit the Ontario Spring Water Sake Company in Toronto, a few weeks ago. The lovely bartender (who’s name I simply cannot remember.. probably due to the three or four samples I decided to try!) was very informative and was quite enthusiastic when it came to explaining the basics of the drink.
Sake is an alcoholic beverage of Japanese origin, that is made from fermented rice and spring water. It is sometimes referred to as “rice wine” in English speaking countries, but really doesn’t share any properties of this namesake. Instead, it is created via a brewing process similar to the way beer is brewed. The final product can be dry, light and fruity, and fairly bold, boasting an impressive alcohol content that can range between 12 – 20%, depending on the bottle.
All I can tell you is that it is absolutely heavenly! It is usually served in small little ceramic cups (ochoko) that measure about an ounce each. It really drives home the fact that this is the type of drink that you sip slowly and savour, holding it in your mouth to allow each and every little flavour profile to present itself before swallowing. If you want a real treat though – try some sake that had been warmed. It is my new favourite drink for those colder evenings.
OSW Sake Company is the only sake brewery on this side of North America to offer the luxury of unpasteurized sake, which is rarely seen outside of Japan. Tucked to the side of the Distillery Districts’ red brick walkways, it is one of Toronto’s many hidden gems, and happens to be where I bought the sake used in this weeks recipe.
And that’s that! Less than five minutes and you have a delightfully tangy cocktail with a mellow, sweet, and fruity finish. Now all you have to do is garnish with a slice of plum and a twist of lemon, find your favourite person (because something like this is just too good to keep to yourself), and spend the rest of your day watching the snow fall, and daydreaming about nicer weather.
Cheers!
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Well, now I’m thirsty. How about you? Are you pretending it’s still summer and warm? or are you embracing the winter and getting excited for Christmas?
xo erin
looks delish! Next time you are in TO I will take you to distillery district to have some Sake tasting – you would enjoy. 🙂
Claire
Sounds great!