For Goodness Sake Manhattan

For those of you who don’t know, Sake is an alcoholic beverage of Japanese origin made by fermenting rice that has been polished to remove the bran. While it is sometimes referred to as “sake wine,” the two are very different. Wine is made by fermenting sugars that are present in fruits and sake is brewed more like a beer, where the starch from the rice is converted into sugars and fermented into alcohol. The distinct fragrance and uncommon taste make this beverage different from any other.

Here in America, we call it, “sake,” while in Japan it is known as “nihonshu.” Usually, sake is served at a special ceremony, where it is served warm. But, you can drink sake chilled or at room temperature, too. National Manhattan Month is a pretty special occasion, so we came up with this For Goodness Sake Manhattan! Before we get into the nitty gritty of this cocktail, make sure you get the name right so you can start off on the right foot when drinking this beverage. The correct way to pronounce it is ‘sa-keh,’ not ‘sa-kee .’

A traditional Manhattan is made with rye whiskey, this recipe takes a more delicate approach to the Manhattan. Our Bridge & Main Wheated Bourbon and the sake combine to create another spirit-forward Manhattan. It is spirit-forward, yes, but also very delicate. This Manhattan is also served warm which might sound peculiar to some, but for the spirited cocktail drinkers out there, it’s heavenly. We garnished it with some crystalized ginger! Be sure to follow the instructions carefully while warming up your sake. Cheers!