Yuzu Chûhai Recipe

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Portion

Preparation time

5 minutes

A blast of citrus from Japan. Chūhai with yuzu is the meeting of the light sweetness of shōchū and the unique freshness of this Japanese citrus fruit with floral notes. Simply mixed with sparkling water, this dazzling cocktail can be prepared in an instant and enjoyed slowly, chilled, in the golden hour. Acidic, fragrant, ultra-thirst-quenching: the kind of drink you can make all summer long, and never get tired of.

Ingredients

4 cl shōchū (or, failing that, light vodka)
10 cl chilled sparkling water
Juice of half a yuzu
Ice cubes
(Optional) 1 teaspoon simple syrup or honey for a sweet touch

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Instructions

Choose a tall, highball glass. Fill it generously with ice cubes to keep it cool.
Add 4 cl of shōchū on the rocks. It forms the sweet, boozy base of your cocktail.
Add 2 cl of yuzu juice. You can adjust the quantity according to the intensity of the citrus fruit and your preferences.
Add 1 to 2 cl of sugar syrup or liquid honey to soften the acidity of the yuzu. This step is optional, but recommended for better balance.
Slowly pour in the sparkling water (about 10 cl) until the glass is full.
Stir gently with a long spoon, from bottom to top, to distribute the flavors evenly without breaking the bubbles.
Enjoy well chilled, as an aperitif or whenever you fancy a light, fragrant, thirst-quenching drink.

Recipe notes

Chūhai originated in post-war izakaya (Japanese bars), where shōchū replaced overpriced imported spirits. It was mixed with sodas to make it more pleasant to drink.

"Chūhai" comes from "shōchū highball" - a mixture of alcohol and sparkling water, in the manner of Scottish highballs. In Japanese, names are often shortened for practical reasons!

In Japan, Chūhai is ubiquitous in cans in convenience stores (combini), with dozens of flavors ranging from yuzu and plum to muscat grape, lychee and melon soda.

Behind its apparent lightness, Chūhai can be more alcoholic than it appears (some canned versions go up to 9% or more). It's often said in Japan that it "drinks like water... and hits like a train."

Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, so consume in moderation.

Yuzu drink ⋅ Kozagawa Yuzu Hirai no sato ⋅ 160ml

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