Sake Cocktail Experience
at Bar LIBRE Ginza in Ginza, TOKYO
Sake is our national alcoholic beverage. Mixologists know there are many ways to embrace a creative spin on sake as a cosmopolitan drink. That is why we decided to team up with the much-loved Bar LIBRE, which has just opened its third location with an urban jungle atmosphere in the home of refined bars, Ginza.
The door to the basement, in the backstreets of Ginza, opens into an exotic fantasy world with speakeasy vibes. On a velvet carpet, tropical plants filled, and a starry sky spread out among them as if you are in a jungle at night.
Guests from a variety of backgrounds were welcomed for a special gathering of sake cocktails presented by Bar LIBRE Ginza's talented mixologists. Kubota's extensive lineup of crisp, clean, and dry sake accompanies virtually any cocktail. While one-third had never tried a cocktail made with sake, one of them remarked, “sake was more versatile than I thought” and “It had definitely opened my eyes to the possibilities of using sake in cocktails.”
The authentic bar originated in Ikebukuro over a decade ago with the gifted bartender, Yujiro Kiyosaki after gaining various experiences such as launching a bar in Kagurazaka. He is known for a number of interesting techniques to create unusual cocktails and won many titles including the Bacardi Martini Grand Prix of Japan winner. In the Hennessy Mixology Competition, he represented Japan and won the world championship.
One of the guests uttered, “It expanded my world view.” Because the Bar LIBRE Ginza offers about 300 kinds of drinks made with various ingredients such as coffee, herbs, botanicals, and spices from Africa, the islands of the South Pacific, Central and South America, and other parts of the world.
Some said, “I had a very fun time discussing and debating the drinks with my friends,” and we were happy to be able to provide them with the true pleasure of tasting experience.
Here is the full story.
1.Cheese Risotto Mary
sake base : KUBOTA HYAKUJYU
mixologist : Tsukuru Sato
A tomato-based savory cocktail will remind you of Bloody Mary. For sake lovers, this might be the best weekend brunch cocktail. Rich texture and a rice-influenced aftertaste of KUBOTA KOUJYU evoke rice dishes like risotto. When the bartender grated Parmigiano cheese, grinded pepper, and decorated thyme on top, some said their mouth watering even at the bar counter.
2.Count Kubota
sake base : KUBOTA HYAKUJYU
mixologist : Kazuhisa Matsuo
If Count Negroni fell in love with sake, this is what would have happened. One of the most beloved cocktails of all time, Negroni could have bonded with KUBOTA HYAKUJYU. Many guests enjoyed the transformation and its witty naming. Most importantly, the sharpness of HYAKUJYU pulled the whole thing together.
3.White Cooled Sake
sake base : KUBOTA KOUJYU
mixologist : Toshiya Takeuchi
It is a refreshing milk-based cocktail. One of the guests said it’s the absolute favorite. Its secret key ingredients include lemon juice and dill. You may also be surprised to see another mystery ingredient in the recipe that you never think of. Those fixings added an extra soothing flavor and matched with a fruity fragrance and slight acid touch of KUBOTA KOUJYU.
4.Skyrocket
sake base : KUBOTA KOUJYU
mixologist : Fumika Yonamine
The beautiful purple gradation of this impressive cocktail attracted many guests as their most favorite drink of the event. The color was projected by the chemical reaction between Anthocyanin in the butterfly pea tea and the acidity of the apple cider vinegar. The sweet and sour flavors mingle together for a dramatic taste experience. It may remind you of sweet and sour memories on a summer night with seeing skyrockets.
5.Just Like Tiramisu
sake base : KUBOTA SENJYU JUNMAI GINJO
mixologist : Yujiro Kiyosaki
If you want both dessert or digestif, perhaps this cocktail fits right in. It will be served like tiramisu with cocoa powder sprinkled on top. The sweet aroma of peaches and cocoa invites you in, while the rice umami of KUBOTA SENJYU JUNMAI GINJO adds a creamy richness. You can consider it as peaches and cream tiramisu in a cocktail.
Bar LIBRE Ginza
Arrows B1 Floor
1-6-6 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
03-6263-0560
https://www.bar-libre-ginza.com/
Instagram @barlibre_ginza
Yujiro Kiyosaki
Kazuhisa Matsuo
Toshiya Takeuchi
Fumika Yonamine
EN