13 Best Japanese Yuzu Citrus Sake

Get to know yuzu sake

Compared to other fruit liquors, yuzu sake typically has a lower alcohol content and features a refreshing citrus aroma. It's a great choice for those who are not fond of strong spirits, or prefer a lighter, refreshing taste. Here are some simple tips for selecting yuzu sake.

Components of yuzu sake

Generally, yuzu sake made with a small amount of yuzu juice tends to be lighter and more suitable for drinking on its own. In contrast, when the ingredients include yuzu peel, pulp, or a higher juice content, the aroma and the balance of sweetness and tartness become more pronounced.

Additionally, the type of base alcohol used affects the overall flavor of yuzu sake. If you prefer a clean and sharp taste, using a strong shochu liquor base is ideal. To highlight the fruity aroma, brandy made from fruit serves as an excellent complement. For a smooth and mellow experience, the sweet and gentle nihonshu (Japanese sake) stands out as a perfect choice.

Storing your yuzu sake

Many people overlook the expiration date when buying fruit liquor. Since yuzu sake typically has a lower alcohol content, its shelf life can be shorter. Additionally, some yuzu sake require specific refrigeration conditions to maintain its freshness. When purchasing, don't forget to check the packaging for storage information to ensure you enjoy its delicious flavor before it expires.

13 best yuzu sake brands

After learning the basics of yuzu sake, read on to find 13 of the highest-ranking yuzu sake, popular among the locals.

Funasaka Sake Brewery: Yuzu Hyoei

Yuzu Hyoei uses Japanese sake from Hida Takayama as its base, perfectly capturing the juicy and refreshing characteristics of yuzu citrus, and enhances the natural deliciousness of the fruit. In 2021, it was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Le Grand Concours des Sakés Japonais (National Japanese Sake Competition,)" showcasing its high reputation and popularity.

Izumi Sake Brewery: Izumihime

Balancing sourness, bitterness, and sweetness, Izumihime uses carefully selected Japanese yuzu citrus as its primary ingredient. When sipped, you can savor the rich fruit aroma emerging from the subtle tartness. Even after drinking, the lingering fragrance remains in your mouth, making it a yuzu sake that allows you to enjoy its aftertaste long after the last sip.

Asahi Brewery: Kubota Yuzu Liqueur

The renowned Japanese sake brewery Kubota offers a delightful yuzu liqueur made with yuzu citrus from Kochi Prefecture. During the juicing process, special care is taken to control the pressure to prevent bitterness and astringency. This liqueur uses their own "Senju Junmai Ginjo" sake as the base, creating a rich and sweet flavor. Simply mixing it with ice water makes for a delicious drink.

Hakutsuru Brewery: Nigori Yuzu Liqueur

If you prefer the slight bitterness of yuzu, then Hakutsuru Brewery's Nigori Yuzu Liqueur might be just what you're looking for. This sake includes juiced yuzu peel for a more complex flavor. According to the official description, it can be enjoyed warm in the winter by mixing with other fruit juices. With an alcohol content of 11 percent, it’s also effective for quickly warming up your body.

Umenoyado Brewery: Yuzu Sake

This yuzu sake from the renowned Umenoyado Brewery blends various yuzu citrus varieties from Kyushu to Shikoku, achieving a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. With the juice of 7.6 yuzu packed into each 900ml bottle, it captures the fresh essence of the fruit, making it a top choice for citrus enthusiasts.

Okadaya Honten: Kikuyasaka Yuzu Yuzu

Crafted from locally sourced yuzu from Shimane Prefecture and shochu rice wine, Kikuyasaka Yuzu Yuzu enhances the robust citrus acidity and fruity aroma of the regional yuzu with the crisp characteristics of the alcohol. This results in a refreshing and light-bodied flavor profile that is perfect for hot summer days, especially when served over ice for a cool and thirst-quenching experience.

Heiwa Shuzo Brewery: Tsuru-ume Yuzu

Tsuru-ume Yuzu stands out with its high yuzu juice content of 50 percent, offering a rich and aromatic flavor. Blended with smooth and throat-soothing Japanese sake, it balances out any bitterness, making it approachable even for those trying yuzu sake for the first time.

Kitajima Brewery: Shio Yuzu

Looking for a yuzu sake that goes beyond sweetness? Shio Yuzu from Kitajima Brewery adds a touch of "Umi no Sei" premium sea salt. This hint of saltiness enhances the overall flavor profile, creating layers of taste that pair wonderfully with crispy fried foods or savory seafood dishes. It's a perfect pairing for your favorite dishes.

Ikinokura Distillery: Yuzu Komachi

Yuzu Komachi by Ikinokura Distillery is known for its brightly colored and beautiful packaging. Using vacuum distillation, it effectively removes the characteristic alcohol scent of distilled sake, while adding freshly squeezed yuzu juice. Upon opening, you can immediately smell the enticing aroma of the fruit. This sake is highly recommended for those who prefer lower alcohol content or are sensitive to alcohol.

Kobayashi Sake Brewery: Hououbiden Yuzu Liqueur

Using premium yuzu from Tochigi Prefecture, the Hououbiden Yuzu Liqueur by Kobayashi Sake Brewery includes crushed citrus pulp in the bottle, providing a sensation akin to savoring the freshly cut fruit when consumed alone. During production, the brewery creates a low-temperature environment to enhance the refreshing acidity of the fruit. It is recommended to chill the liqueur in the refrigerator before serving to maintain its optimal flavor.

Tsukasa Botan Brewing: Yuzu no Obaka 18 Years

Yuzu no Obaka 18 Years by Tsukasa Botan Brewing uses yuzu citrus that has been matured for 18 years, refining its exquisite flavor. Additionally, this is one of the few yuzu liqueurs with an alcohol content exceeding 20 percent, making it suitable for mixing with a variety of beverages.

Sekaitto: Waka no Megumi Premium Yuzu Sake

Sekaitto’s Waka no Megumi Premium Yuzu Sake is made with the finest Ryujin Yuzu from Ryujin Village in Wakayama Prefecture. The sake retains the delicate texture of the fruit's pulp and peel, allowing you to savor the original yuzu flavor with every sip. This luxurious yuzu sake is an excellent choice for gifting to elders or close friends.

Homare Sake Brewery: Tsukurisakaya Yuzu Sake Aladdin Bottle

Among other drinks, the rounded bottle of Tsukurisakaya Yuzu Sake Aladdin Bottle stands out with its eye-catching design. Beyond its unique appearance, the brewery is dedicated to high-quality contents, insisting on no added flavorings, colorings, acidity regulators, or preservatives. This ensures that consumers can enjoy the pure and simple goodness of yuzu sake.

Yuzu sake recipes

The allure of yuzu sake lies in its perfect balance of acidity and refreshing aroma. Here are some yuzu sake cocktail recipes designed to enhance its citrusy essence without overpowering its natural flavors.

Preserving the full flavor
The simplest way to enjoy yuzu sake while retaining its full flavor is to mix it with soda water at a ratio of 1:2 or 1:3. It's best to avoid high-sugar sodas as they can overpower the yuzu's acidity. If the alcohol content is too strong, you can increase the proportion of soda water for a more refreshing experience.

Warming up in winter
Yuzu sake is also perfect for the cold winter months. Mix it with hot water at a ratio of 1:3 or 1:4. The combination of alcohol and hot water will quickly warm your hands and feet, making it an ideal afternoon drink for a cozy break.

Advanced yuzu sake cocktail recipes

After experiencing the basic ways to enjoy yuzu sake, you can explore more sophisticated cocktail recipes to elevate your mood and add a touch of elegance to your day.

Yuzu iced tea
For this refined cocktail, you'll need unsweetened iced tea, ice cubes, yuzu sake, and a bit of yuzu zest. Fill a glass with ice, sprinkle with chopped yuzu zest, and then pour in equal parts (1:1) of iced tea and the sake. The elegant aroma of tea and the fruity scent of yuzu complement each other perfectly, creating a delightfully fragrant drink.

Sweet and tangy yuzu kiwi smoothie
Yuzu sake pairs wonderfully with other sweet and tangy fruits. For a refreshing kiwi smoothie, blend half a kiwi with 50ml of yuzu sake and a few ice cubes. This combination of fruits creates a multi-layered aroma, and the fruit pulp releases a burst of fresh sweetness with each sip. It's a guaranteed way to quench your thirst and cool down on a hot summer day.

Make your own homemade yuzu sake

Making yuzu sake at home is quite simple, and you can have your delicious brew ready in about a month. If you can't find a large brewing bottle, feel free to scale down the ingredients proportionally without compromising on taste.

Ingredients for 4 liters:

• 1 kg of yuzu citrus fruit
• 600 g of rock sugar
• 1,800 ml of 35% base alcohol

Instructions:

1. Thoroughly wash and sterilize the brewing bottle, then let it air dry.
2. Clean the yuzu, dry them, peel them, and remove the white fibrous threads.
3. Place the yuzu peels in a tea bag, and cut the pulp in half.
4. Layer the ingredients in the glass bottle in this order: half the yuzu pulp, half the rock sugar, the remaining pulp, and the remaining rock sugar.
5. Add the tea bag with the yuzu peels on top, then pour in all the base alcohol.
6. Seal the bottle tightly and store it in a dark place. After one week, remove the tea bag.
7. Shake the bottle gently every day to mix the contents. After three weeks, remove all the yuzu pulp.
8. Your yuzu sake is now ready to enjoy.

Where to buy Japanese yuzu sake

Yuzu sake can be purchased at major supermarkets, chain electronics stores, and general stores like Don Quijote across Japan.

Pair your yuzu sake with some tasty Japanese snacks

If simply tasting the sake isn’t enough, pair it with some delicious Japanese sweets and snacks. On WAmazing Shop, you can select from a range of alcoholic beverages as well as candies and snacks at tax-free prices.

Visit Japan's sake breweries and sample different liqueurs

Visiting a sake brewery or factory in Japan offers a unique sensory journey through centuries of tradition, where the artistry of rice fermentation intertwines with cultural heritage. Click the buttons below for sake brewery and factory tours across Japan.

*The information in this article, such as prices and business hours, was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Please refer to the official website(s) for the latest information.

*Consuming alcohol under the age of 20 is prohibited by Japanese law, and these regulations also apply to international visitors and foreign residents in Japan. Please enjoy alcohol responsibly and don’t drive after drinking. Please also check the alcohol import allowance of your country before bringing them back into your country.