Best Shochu Cocktails & Your Guide to this Famous Japanese Spirit

Shochu cocktails are trending hard right now, and The Mixer UK is here to teach you all about them. Step right up and discover the allure of Japan’s favourite spirit! Unlike its cousin, sake, which is brewed like beer, shochu is a true distilled gem made from diverse starches like buckwheat, rice, or sweet potatoes. 

The history of shochu

Shochu’s history dates back to ancient times in Japan. It is believed to have originated around the 16th century, during the Muromachi period. The spirit’s roots can be traced to distilled liquor brought from China and Southeast Asia. Over the centuries, shochu production methods evolved, and it became popular across Japan.  

Today, it remains a cherished part of Japan’s culture, celebrated at social gatherings and cherished ceremonies. The finest varieties are crafted with barley by renowned Japanese distillers, such as Iichiko and Mizu. Its distillation process is an art, beginning with grain selection. The more polished the grain, the smoother the shochu – just like sake. 

Shochu is also divided into subtypes, based on the components and region. The most common types are: 

• Imo shochu (crafted from sweet potatoes) 
• Mugi shochu (crafted from barley) 
• Kome shochu (crafted from rice) 
• Kokuto shochu (crafted from brown sugar) 
• Soba shochu (crafted from buckwheat) 
• Shiso shochu (crafted from the Shiso herb) 
• Okinawan or Awamori shochu (crafted in Okinawa) 

TOP TIP! Although their names may sound alike and there are certain similarities, shochu, and soju are different things. Soju is a clear, distilled spirit that originated in Korea.  

How to use shochu in cocktails

The rich and versatile flavour profile of shochu makes it an excellent base for cocktails. Unlike traditional spirits like vodka, this true distilled spirit boasts a more intricate crafting process, resulting in a depth of flavours that add a delicious and tempting complexity to cocktails.  

Whether mixed with citrusy yuzu, elderflower liqueur, or refreshing mint, shochu effortlessly adapts to different ingredients, paving the way for delightfully harmonious drinks. Its centuries-old history in Japanese culture further adds an element of intrigue and cultural significance to any cocktail creation. 

Here are a few of our favourites to try at home:  

1. The Japanese Sidecar  

Arguably one of the best shochu cocktails to start with when exploring this fascinating spirit, the Japanese Sidecar is elegant, citrusy, and perfectly balanced.

Ingredients

• 60 ml Shochu

• 20 ml Lemon juice

• 15 ml Grand Marnier (opens in new window)

• 15 ml Brown sugar syrup

• 2 dashes Orange bitters

• Ice

Method

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice

2. Add shochu, lemon juice, orange liqueur, brown sugar syrup, and orange bitters

3. Shake vigorously until well-chilled

4. Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass

5. Garnish with a twist of lemon peel or a fresh orange slice

6. Serve

You might also like: Classic Sidecar | Vodka Sidecar 

2. Hana Hana Highball

The time-honoured Highball Cocktail has an interesting history that began in England, made its way to the US, and eventually became a favourite in Japan. The Hana Hana version is light, zesty, and perfectly balanced for easy sipping.

Ingredients

• 60 ml Shochu

• 120 ml Soda water

• Juice of ½ Lemon

• Ice

Method

1. Fill a Collins glass with ice

2. Add shochu and soda water

3. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into the glass

4. Stir well to combine

5. Serve

FUN FACT: Hana means ‘flower’ or ‘blossom’ in Japanese (花).  

3. Shochu Apple Sour Cocktail

If you love sour cocktails, the Shochu Apple Sour Cocktail is bound to be right up your alley. Japanese shochu cocktails do not come any crisper and tangier than this. In Japan, the combination of apple and Shochu is so popular that it’s available as ready-to-drink beverages sold in cans. Of course, fresh is best, so here’s our DIY recipe.  

Ingredients

• 120 ml Shochu

• 75 ml Apple juice (freshly pressed if possible)

• 15 ml Honey syrup

• 15 ml Yuzu juice (or lemon juice substitute)

• 75 ml Soda water (chilled)

• Apple slices (to garnish)

• Ice

Method

1. Add ice to a highball glass

2. Pour in shochu, apple juice, honey syrup, and yuzu juice

3. Stir until well combined

4. Top with chilled soda water

5. Garnish with apple slices

6. Serve

Learn more: 6 Perfect Apple Cocktails to Make This Autumn

4. The Japanese Gimlet

The OG Gimlet had its heyday on the high seas and remains a classic clinker to this day. Naturally, the Eastern-inspired spinoff is also a complete vibe. This lemon shochu cocktail is very easy to make, and just as simple to enjoy. 

Ingredients

• 60 ml Shochu

• 30 ml Lime juice

• 20 ml Sugar syrup

• Ice

• Lime wheel (to garnish)

Method

1. Add shochu, lime juice, and sugar syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice

2. Shake until well-chilled

3. Strain into a chilled glass

4. Garnish with a lime wheel

5. Serve

5. Shochu and Tonic

The Vodka Tonic has been a bar-side staple for decades, and with good reason – it’s a simple combination that works really well. If this is your go-to, you might like to shake things up with a Shochu and Tonic. 

Ingredients

• 30 ml Shochu

• 30 ml Aperitif (your favorite)

• 90 ml Tonic water

• Grapefruit slices (to garnish)

• Mint sprig (to garnish)

• Ice

Method

1. Fill a tall glass with ice

2. Add shochu, aperitif, and grapefruit slices

3. Top with tonic water

4. Garnish with a sprig of mint

5. Serve

6. Hanamizaké Martini

Love experimenting with different types of Martinis? Try your hand at a Hanamizaké Martini. It calls for a few unusual ingredients, but we love it just the same. 

Ingredients

• 45 ml Shochu

• 10 ml Bulldog Gin

• 45 ml Sake

• 15 ml Cinzano Vermouth Bianco (opens in new window)

• Shiozakura (salted sakura blossoms) or caviar/green olives (to garnish)

• Ice

Method

1. Add shochu, gin, sake, and vermouth to a mixing glass with ice

2. Stir until well chilled

3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass

4. Garnish with shiozakura, or substitute with caviar or green olives

5. Serve

7. Old Fashioned Samurai  

The Old Fashioned will never go out of style, and this take on the classic is quite spectacular. 

Ingredients

• 60 ml Shochu

• 1 tsp Sugar

• 3 dashes Bitters

• Splash of soda water

• Orange peel, for garnish

Method

1. Add sugar, bitters, and a splash of club soda to a rocks glass

2. Muddle and stir until the sugar dissolves completely

3. Add shochu and some ice

4. Stir for 10 seconds

5. Twist an orange peel over the drink and drop it in

6. Serve

Check out next: Anejo Old Fashioned | Classic Old Fashioned | Apple Butter Old Fashioned 

8. Chili Mango Shochu Cocktail

No list of shochu cocktail recipes would be complete without the Chili Shochu Cocktail. 

Ingredients

• 60 ml Shochu

• 120 ml Mango juice

• 1 tsp Tajin spice

• Lime juice, to rim the glass

• Ice

• Jalapeño slices, for garnish

Method

1. Rim a serving glass with lime juice and Tajin spice

2. Add shochu, mango juice, and a dash of Tajin spice to a cocktail shaker with ice

3. Shake to combine

4. Strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice

5. Garnish with jalapeño slices

6. Serve

More mango magic: 8 Deliciously Fresh Mango Cocktails You Must Try 

9. Yuzu Sour

Keen to taste what happens to the classic Whiskey Sour when it travels to Japan? Oh, it’s so good! 

Ingredients

• 60 ml Shochu

• 30 ml Lemon juice

• 30 ml Yuzu juice

• 15 ml Sugar syrup

• 1 Egg white

• Ice

Method

1. Add shochu, lemon juice, yuzu juice, sugar syrup, and egg white to a cocktail shaker

2. Dry shake vigorously for 10 seconds

3. Add ice and shake again until well chilled

4. Strain into a chilled glass

5. Serve

10. Shikoku Mule (Yuzu Moscow Mule)

More marvellous Mule cocktails? We’ve got you. Try the Shikoku Mule next. 

Ingredients

• 30 ml Shochu

• 30 ml Yuzu juice

• Ginger beer, to top

• Ice

• Lime wedge, for garnish

Method

1. Fill a glass with ice cubes

2. Add shochu and yuzu juice

3. Top with ginger beer

4. Gently stir to combine

5. Garnish with a lime wedge

6. Serve

11. Shochu Margarita

If you’ve been on the lookout for the best Margarita cocktail, you’ve got to shake up a Shochu Margarita. 

Ingredients

• 60 ml Shochu

• 30 ml Lime juice

• 15 ml Sugar syrup

• Pinch of sea salt

• Ice

Method

1. Add shochu, lime juice, sugar syrup, and sea salt to a cocktail shaker with ice

2. Shake until well combined

3. Strain into a serving glass over fresh ice

4. Serve