Cherry Blossom Cocktail For Cherry Blossom Season

April marks the start of Cherry Blossom Season, a yearly ritual where the Japanese observe and celebrate the blooming of cherry blossoms.

This rite of spring goes back hundreds of years and involves sitting under "sakura" trees and taking in the pink flowers, which drop off about a week after they appear.

To toast the occasion, Japanese Spirits Expert Yuri Kato has created a specialty Cherry Blossom cocktail made with customary sake, sparkling wine and umeshu, a traditional Japanese plum liqueur.

"It is a privilege to share my love of Japanese culture and spirits with others," says Yuri. "JAPANESE COCKTAILS has been a wonderful experience and I hope that all connoisseurs of fine food and drink will find much to enjoy between its covers."

Here's a recipe perfect for serving during Cherry Blossom season:

Cherry Blossom (Sakura)

2 oz (60 ml) Sake

Umeshu1 tsp (2.5 ml)

Sparkling Wine

Stir sake, umeshu, and lemon juice in a mixing glass with ice.  Strain into a Champagne flute.  Top with sparkling wine, garnish with a maraschino cherry, and serve.

This Cherry Blossom cocktail is one the many drinks featured in Japanese Cocktails (Chronicle Books), a colorful and insightful book that explores Japan's rich cocktail culture.

Written by Yuri Kato and Suntory, Japanese Cocktails showcases Japan's spirits' history, traditions and tastes through an array of refreshing recipes, vibrant photography and alluring tales.

Japanese Cocktails is currently available online and in book stores for $14.95.

JAPANESE COCKTAILS,

Chronicle Books

$14.95 U.S.

More About Yuri Kato

Yuri Kato is a beverage alcohol consultant and has been a publisher of CocktailTimes.com for more than a decade. She frequently visits distilleries and judges cocktail competitions around the world. Yuri inherited her passion for the culinary arts from her mother and uncle, both chefs, who taught her about Japanese cuisine and spirits. Yuri was born in Yokohama, Japan and now lives in New York City and Denver.

Teeming with interesting tidbits - including the history of Japan's distinctive spirits, tips on finding key ingredients and sidebars that cover topics ranging from cherry blossom season and Tokyo's fashion district, to the Tokyo Dome and Japanese gardens - JAPANESE COCKTAILS offers a unique glimpse into contemporary Japanese culture.

JAPANESE COCKTAILS was made possible by Suntory, one world's leading beverage companies, and is available wherever books are sold and from www.chroniclebooks.com.

Authentic Recipes

Authentic recipes in chapters devoted to sake, shochu and Suntory's Japanese whiskies allow at-home mixologists to re-create such favorites as Saké Eggnog or the Shiso Ume Mojito. Yuri's own original creations are crafted in keeping with the spirit of Japanese cocktail culture and infused with other ingredients such as vodka, rum and tequila. New concoctions range from the Yuzu Bath and Melon Cream Soda, made with premium Midori melon liqueur, to the Bloody Mari-Chan and the Red Eye, made with Japanese beer.

Yuri Kato is a beverage alcohol consultant and has been a publisher of CocktailTimes.com for more than a decade. She frequently visits distilleries and judges cocktail competitions around the world. Yuri inherited her passion for the culinary arts from her mother and uncle, both chefs, who taught her about Japanese cuisine and spirits. Yuri was born in Yokohama, Japan and now lives in New York City and Denver.

More About Suntory Ltd

Suntory Ltd., founded in 1899, was the first company to introduce Western-style spirits to Japan, exporting a wide range of authentic Japanese whiskies and liquors to 35 countries, including the United States.

Made with exceptional quality ingredients, these include Midori Melon Liqueur, Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky, Hibiki 12 Year Old Blended Whisky, Zen Green Tea Liqueur and Kuromaru Shochu, Japan's traditional distilled spirit. With its head office in Osaka, Suntory Group comprises 170 companies operating in 17 countries.

More About Chronicle Books

One of the most admired and respected publishing companies in the U.S., Chronicle Books was founded in 1967 and over the years has developed a reputation for award-winning, innovative books.

Recognized as one of the 50 best small companies to work for in the U.S. (and the only independent publisher to receive this award), the company continues to challenge conventional publishing wisdom, setting trends in both subject and format, maintaining a list that includes much admired illustrated books and gift products in design, art, architecture, photography, food, lifestyle, pop culture, and acclaimed children's titles.

Chronicle Books' objective is to create and distribute exceptional publishing that's instantly recognizable for its spirit, creativity, and value. For more information about Chronicle Books, visit www.chroniclebooks.com.

More Information

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