The Complete Guide to Japanese Drinks: Sake, Shochu, Japanese Whisky, Beer, Wine, Cocktails and Other Beverages

by Stephen Lyman, Chris Bunting

**2020 James Beard Award Nominee**
**2020 Gourmand Cookbook Award Winner for Japan in Spirits Books**

Drink your way through Japan (even from home) with the help of this book!

Japan is home to some of the world's most interesting alcoholic beverages--from traditional Sake and Shochu to Japanese whisky, beer, wine and cocktails that are winning global acclaim and awards.

In this comprehensive survey of Japanese drinks, experts Stephen Lyman and Chris Bunting cover all the main types of beverages found in Japanese bars and restaurants, as well as supermarkets and liquor stores around the world. The book has chapters on Sake, Shochu, whisky, wine, beer, Awamori (a moonshine-like liquor from Okinawa), Umeshu plum wine and other fruit wines. There is also a fascinating chapter on modern Japanese-style cocktails--complete with recipes so you can get the authentic experience,
Thorough descriptions of the varieties of each beverage are given along with the history, production methods, current trends and how to drink them. Detailed bar and buyer's guides at the back of the book list specialist establishments where readers can go to enjoy and purchase the drinks, both in Japan and cities around the world, including London, Paris, New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington DC, Shanghai and more!

This is an indispensable book for anyone interested in brewing, distilling, new cocktails or Japanese culture, travel and cuisine. Kampai! Cheers!

Genres: Japan, Food

160 pages, Hardcover

Published October 1, 2019

Reviews

[Ian Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really wonderful overview of alcohol in Japan.

I read this one slowly, bit by bit as I had a chance, and enjoyed all the great work done here.

Great book to pick up for your lover of Japan, lover of alcohol, or especially anyone who loves both.

[Books on Asia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally enjoyed this in-depth look at Japanese alcohol. Since the Japanese have a reputation for imbibing (especially salarymen) it was refreshing to read about how Japan has, like so many other of its traditions, elevated its libations to an art form. This book goes into great detail as to the methods and the art applied to making sake, shochu, awamori, umeshu whisky, beer and even wine and cocktails. The book is very up-to-date and the profiles of some of the characters such as Tatsuro Yamazaki, the "father or bar tending," were delightful. My only disappointment about the book is that it is a coffee table book. I felt like I wanted to take this book with me as I travel around Japan trying out different drinks and locations. So I'd recommend that you take a few evenings and sit down with an ice cold Japanese craft beer of your choice, and sip slowly through the book and photos.

[Ran · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book about drinks. It satisfied my curiosity about various kinds of sake, shochu, whisky etc. solid content.

[Ravencourt]

Loved it! It's a nice mix of history, science and anecdotal to keep you engaged. Nice pictures as well making it all more colourful.