Saketini
Encyclopedia
Saketini is the name of a cocktail
that uses sake and other ingredients such as simple syrups, distilled spirits, liqueurs, juices and garnishes. The name saketini comes from the recent and popular usage of the suffix "-tini", derived from the name for the classic cocktail, the martini, to denote any alcoholic drink that is served chilled in a cocktail glass.
Preceding the resurgence in popularity of the martini in the early 2000s, people began using sake as a mixer in cocktails. Many modern twists on the traditional martini recipe have been made including the introduction of vodka
to replace gin
as the main ingredient, flavored martinis such as the appletini, the cosmopolitan and the saketini. Saketini is also the name of a popular restaurant in Los Angeles California that serves Asian food.
Some purist martini drinkers feel the saketini is another insult to the integrity of their beloved classic cocktail. Others, such as Lucy Brennan, the world renowned mixologist, approve of the saketini wholeheartedly and have adapted and concocted many recipes with the addition of sake. Hiroaki Aoki
the founder of Benihana restaurants says in his book Sake Water From Heaven that "if a cocktail made with sake is pleasing to the palate, why should tradition stand in the way of progress?"
Basic Gin Saketini
In shaker
half filled with ice cubes, combine gin with sake, stir well, strain and serve in chilled martini glass. Garnish with olive.
Cocktail
A cocktail is an alcoholic mixed drink that contains two or more ingredients—at least one of the ingredients must be a spirit.Cocktails were originally a mixture of spirits, sugar, water, and bitters. The word has come to mean almost any mixed drink that contains alcohol...
that uses sake and other ingredients such as simple syrups, distilled spirits, liqueurs, juices and garnishes. The name saketini comes from the recent and popular usage of the suffix "-tini", derived from the name for the classic cocktail, the martini, to denote any alcoholic drink that is served chilled in a cocktail glass.
History
It is rumored that the saketini came into being when chef Matsuda San, arriving in Queens for the World's Fair in 1964, unveiled a primitive version of the cocktail. The original recipe for this drink was lost until later Matsuda resurfaced at Clodagh Design Showroom in the early 90s to serve the world of design his original saketini.Preceding the resurgence in popularity of the martini in the early 2000s, people began using sake as a mixer in cocktails. Many modern twists on the traditional martini recipe have been made including the introduction of vodka
Vodka
Vodka , is a distilled beverage. It is composed primarily of water and ethanol with traces of impurities and flavorings. Vodka is made by the distillation of fermented substances such as grains, potatoes, or sometimes fruits....
to replace gin
Gin
Gin is a spirit which derives its predominant flavour from juniper berries . Although several different styles of gin have existed since its origins, it is broadly differentiated into two basic legal categories...
as the main ingredient, flavored martinis such as the appletini, the cosmopolitan and the saketini. Saketini is also the name of a popular restaurant in Los Angeles California that serves Asian food.
Some purist martini drinkers feel the saketini is another insult to the integrity of their beloved classic cocktail. Others, such as Lucy Brennan, the world renowned mixologist, approve of the saketini wholeheartedly and have adapted and concocted many recipes with the addition of sake. Hiroaki Aoki
Hiroaki Aoki
, known in the United States by the Anglicized name Rocky Aoki, was an Olympic wrestler, the founder of the Benihana chain of "Japanese Steakhouse" restaurants, entrepreneur, and thrillseeker.- Biography :...
the founder of Benihana restaurants says in his book Sake Water From Heaven that "if a cocktail made with sake is pleasing to the palate, why should tradition stand in the way of progress?"
Recipes
There are some ongoing disputes as to the original saketini recipe. Provided below is an example of the recipe using more traditional gin, which can be replaced by vodka if desired.Basic Gin Saketini
- 2.5 oz. Gin
- 1.5 tsp. Sake
- 1 cocktail olive
In shaker
Cocktail shaker
A cocktail shaker is a device used to mix beverages by shaking. When ice is put in the shaker this allows for a quicker cooling of the drink before serving....
half filled with ice cubes, combine gin with sake, stir well, strain and serve in chilled martini glass. Garnish with olive.
Further reading
- Griffith Frost and John Gauntner Sake Pure and Simple p.110 reference to sake cocktails
- Rocky Aoki with Pierre A. Lehu Sake Water From Heaven p.108 sake cocktail recipes and statement