Delicate Cherry Plumtini

A little history before the toast--In an effort to enhance the growing friendship between the United States and Japan, 98 years ago, Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo  gifted the United States with 3,000 Japanese Cherry Trees to the city of Washington. 

 Cherry trees were originally planted in Japan for their beauty to adorn the grounds of the nobility of Kyoto as early as 794.  Flower viewing was a social practice the Japanese emulated from China where the imperial households, poets, singers and other aristocrats would gather and celebrate under blossoms.  

  

Gekkeikan Sake Company, Ltd., based in Kyoto, Japan, is the world’s most popular sake brand and was founded in 1637 by the Okura family. With nearly 400 years and 14 generations of sake brewing experience, Gekkeikan, one of the oldest-family operated businesses in the world and one of the most respected names in sake, has proudly been the official sake of Japan’s Imperial Household for almost a century.  Their delightful offerings include 14 sakes and plum wines, including Gekkeikan Traditional, the world’s most popular Junami, Horin, the award-winning Junmai Daiginjo and the acclaimed Zipang Sparking Sake. Have your sake the traditional way or try something new.

Celebrate the Cherry Blossom Festival, which starts on March 27^th , and Spring in general, with this cocktail  from Gekkeikan:

Cherry Blossom Tini (by Allen Katz)

2 ¼ parts Gekkeikan Sake

¾ part Cointreau®

¾ part cranberry juice

¼ part fresh lime juice

2 dashes orange bitters

 http://www.gekkeikan-sake.com/

As always, drink and serve responsibly.