Now Pouring: Sake for Summer
Sip by-the-glass at Sushi-san and The Omakase Room
Everyone loves a spritz, but this summer, why not switch things up with a refreshing glass of sake? Make a plan to sample this underappreciated summer sip at Sushi-san,where Certified Sake Professional Daniel Bennett has curated 16 different options available in 3- or 8-oz. pours – the Windy City’s largest selection of sake by-the-glass! Or, step into the sleek dining room at The Omakase Room at Sushi-san in River North to enjoy sake expertly paired with an 18-course tasting menu from Chef Kaze Chan.
Looking to sip on some interesting sake pours with views of the Windy City? Kat Hawkins, Wine Director at Japanese hotspot Miru at The St. Regis Chicago is sharing her picks off the menu that are perfect to enjoy on the restaurants’ expansive terrace.
Get ready to drink in some sake knowledge and top picks from our sake experts.
Make a reservation at Sushi-san – Lincoln Park | Make a reservation at Sushi-san – River North | Make a reservation at The Omakase Room at Sushi-san
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Ichido Sparkling Rosé
You can never go wrong with bubbles! Bennett says that Ichido crafts its sake using the most elegant and traditional way, Méthode Champenoise, right in the bottle. For this rosé that’s available by the glass at Sushi-san – Lincoln Park, Ichido uses locally sourced black rice that adds a blush of pink and a savory quality to the off-dry sparkling sake.
Enjoy a refreshing glass of sake along with the recipe for Sushi-san’s Charred Broccolini Goma-Ae.
Fukucho, “Seaside”, Sparkling Junmai, Hiroshima
Another sparkler recommended by Hawkins at Miru is the Fukucho, “Seaside” Sparkling Junmai. This sparkling sake is made through an in-bottle secondary fermentation process- just like Champagne! Each sip delivers notes of citrus, white florals, a touch of richness, and a refreshing finish. As the name suggests, this sake pairs extremely well with all types of sushi, seafood, and summer!
Yuzu Sake
Yuzu is Japan’s go-to citrus fruit, boasting the aromatics of grapefruit and the refreshing tartness of lemon, but with a cleaner finish. Bennett says breweries blend this and other fresh juice with premium sake to create a sweet-and-sour libation typically lower in alcohol content (7-10 percent), making it a wonderful mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Sushi-san in River North and Lincoln Park both serve yuzu sake chilled or over ice, with selections available by the glass or bottle, including Shibata Black Yuzu.
Sake-san
Sake-san is Sushi-san’s exclusive, small-batch sake made in collaboration with Daimon Brewery in Osaka, Japan. This special Jizake (meaning “local sake”) pairs perfectly not only with the menu at the San restaurants but also complements Chicago’s cuisine and regional preferences. Bennett says that like food, sake can also be tied to place, with each city or region having a unique identity. Sake-san’s notes of honeydew are backed by the umami expressed as cocoa and toast, giving it a crisp yet bold finish. An ideal summer sake, it’s available at all San restaurants!
Learn more about sake from Certified Sake Professional Daniel Bennett.
Toko, “Divine Droplets”, Junmai Daiginjo, Yamagata
The refreshing nature of this junmai daiginjo makes it a perfect sip for summer. Brewed and filtered using a free-run drip method, Divine Droplets is pristine in character with notes of white peach, white florals, and crisp rainwater. It is delicate enough to enjoy on its own, but refined enough to pair with many types of cuisine.
Miru’s Namazake Features
Terrace season has arrived, and is the perfect time for Namazake! This type of sake is a special style that does not undergo pasteurization, producing a uniquely fresh and seasonal beverage. In Japan, namazakes are the “hatsu shibori” or the first batch of the brewing season and signify that the seasons are changing. These vibrant sakes are the perfect sips for enjoying the food and views at Miru. Miru is currently featuring: Tedorigawa, “Kinka Gold Blossom”, Nama Daiginjo, Ishikawa and Terada Honke, “Shizen No Manma”, Junmai Muroka Namagenshu, Chiba
