LA's Leading Bars Mix Up Exclusive Cocktails to Celebrate ‘Shochu Month’Presented by JFOODO

LA’s Leading Bars Mix Up Exclusive Cocktails to Celebrate ‘Shochu Month’Presented by JFOODO

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LA’s Leading Bars Mix Up Exclusive Cocktails to Celebrate ‘Shochu Month’Presented by JFOODO

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LA’s Leading Bars Mix Up Exclusive Cocktails to Celebrate ‘Shochu Month’Presented by JFOODO

Published on January 16, 2024

at 10:01 EST

Source: Pinion Newswire

Spark Your Senses – Awaken your palate to the aroma and flavor of Japan

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 16, 2024 – The Japan Food Product Overseas Promotion Center (JFOODO) invites Los Angeles to “Spark Your Senses, ”the third annual Shochu Month event in collaboration with some of the most notable local bars. From Jan. 18 through Feb. 17, customers can enjoy signature Shochu Highball and craft Shochu cocktails at nine Los Angeles bars: Accomplice Bar, Death&Co LA, Employees Only LA, Gold Line, Redbird, Steep LA, The Lincoln, The Semi-Tropic, and Thunderbolt. For an entire month, each bar will serve two unique cocktails specially developed by top mixologists in Los Angeles using Shochu: an interpretation of JFOODO’s signature drink — the Shochu Highball — crafted with a refreshing taste perfect for bringing out the spirit’s rich aroma and flavor, and an original craft cocktail. Details can be found here.

The one-month event will kick off with “Shochu Week,” from Jan. 18 through Jan. 24. On opening night, there will be a special “Shochu Night” pop-up event at Death&Co LA. There, customers will be able to enjoy two Shochu drinks for $25, with options including craft Shochu cocktails developed by an expert bartender. JFOODO will also welcome special guest bartender Shuzo Nagumo from Japan to share his Shochu expertise at the nine participating bars all “Shochu Week”-long. Named one of the greatest bartenders on Earth by ‘Bar World 100,’

Nagumo has blazed a trail for the very concept of Shochu cocktails, making him the perfect guest to elevate the Shochu experience in Los Angeles to the next level. A second “Shochu Night” event will be held on Feb. 6 at Redbird LA, featuring special guest bartender Takuma Watanabe, one of the founding members of Bar codename Mixology.

Watanabe has over 20 years’ bartending experience, including ranking in the World Class Top 10 in the Casa Noble cocktail competition, and is the head bartender at Martiny’s, one of New York City’s most iconic cocktail bars.

With so many incredible opportunities to experience this spirit, Los Angeles is about to discover Shochu’s potential like never before. This year, there’s a new reason to celebrate Shochu with the passage of the AB 416 bill last October. Details can be found here.

About Shochu

Shochu is a pure, clean, and expressive spirit that makes use of a variety of traditional ingredients from Japan’s long history to create an appealing range of aromas and tastes. Shochu is typically made from sweet potatoes, barley, rice, or black sugar, and though each type of Shochu has a distinct flavor depending on its base ingredient, the general taste is often described as nutty or earthy, with an ABV of around 25%. Shochu can be difficult to categorize compared to other spirits due to the wide range between all the different varieties, but the more understanding about the properties of each base ingredient, the greater the potential for enjoyment.

Signature Cocktail: Shochu Highball

The Shochu Highball is one of the best ways to savor the rich aroma and flavor of Shochu. It can be made with very simple ingredients: Shochu, sparkling water, ice, and fresh fruits, such as citrus. The many varieties of Shochu itself, each with a different flavor, make it so that a simple cocktail is ideal for fully appreciating the variations between them. The Shochu Highball is refreshing, with a clear aftertaste that retains the full flavor of the base spirit, and goes well with many different fruits and other ingredients. Shochu Highballs are perfect for Shochu beginners, and since they’re made with sparkling water, they can be enjoyed casually, for instance on weeknights when a lighter drink is preferred.