Tuanaki – Akashi-Tai Junmai Daiginjo Genshu
I really enjoy sake, whether as a drink accompanying sushi, or mixed in Japanese-inspired cocktails. This is why I was very happy to have one a care-package by Akashi-Tai on my friend Serge’s page Hungry Thirsty Bored. Instantly, I came up with a sake based highball, which is light, but also very refreshing.
The Akashi-Tai Junmai Daiginjo Genshu only uses rice, water and Koji during the fermentation process. That is what the “Junmai” stands for. The rice is Yamadanishiki a „Grand Cru“ rice from the Hyogo prefecture. On top of that the polishing ratio is smaller than 50 % (Daiginjo), 38 % to be exact. In the end, Akashi-Tai bottles the sake at an ABV of 16 %.
Tropical fruits and gummi bears
Sake often reminds me of white gummi bears. I mean that in best possible way, they have exotic fruit notes heading towards pineapple, but take a turn for a somehow “not fresh” pineapple direction. The < a title="Sake from the Akashi Sake Brewery at Schlumberger" href="https://www.schlumberger.de/sake/">Akashi-Tai is a prime example of that. Additionally, the Junmai Daiginjo also has a certain canned pineapple quality to it. All in all, it is a pleasant, flavourful sake.
Bergamots, hops and tonic
I cannot tell you why I quickly knew that I want to mix a sake highball with the Akashi-Tai, but it just seemed a logical thing to do. Therefore, I combined the Junmai Daiginjo with homemade bergamot cordial which I made according to the Mixology recipe. Basically, all I had left to do was top the combination up with tonic water and I was all set. To be honest, the hopped tonic water from Hertl was the last cold one in the fridge, but it turned out pretty well.
2,25 cl Homemade Bergamot Cordial
Top off with a splash of Soda Water
Built – chilled small Highball glass over ice;
Garnish: Candied Bergamot Peel;
Song: Miner – Tuanaki;
The “Tuanaki” starts with a combination of bergamot and tonic water, almost like a bergamot flavoured lemonade. However, the sake makes its way to your palate soon afterwards and delivers those beautiful exotic fruit notes In the end, even the hops shine through a bit with slight coconut notes.
*The fact that I received a product reviewed in this article for free, did not – in any way – influence the rating of said product. The sake was provided by Akashi-Tai and Schlumberger.
