'It's all about shochu and chu-hai cocktails'

Not only has shochu surpassed sake as the beverage of choice in many izakaya restaurants in Japan, but it's now starting to catch on in Southern California. The LA Times reports.

Posted by Cynthia on November 8, 2005 at 11:34 PM in China, Drinking Spaces, Japan, Korea, Sake, Shochu , United States | Permalink

Scotch meets shochu

The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), a quasi-governmental body, has recently decided to help the association of shochu distilled spirits makers in Hitoyoshi City, Kumamoto Prefecture on the southernmost major Japanese island of Kyushu, to develop a new brand of liquor, blending local Kuma shochu and Scotch whisky. Shochu is a clear alcoholic beverage, a cousin to Korea's soju. Asia Times reports.

Posted by Cynthia on October 13, 2005 at 04:33 PM in Britain, Japan, Shochu , Whiskey | Permalink