From January 18th through February 17th, customers can enjoy signature Shochu Highball and craft Shochu cocktails at nine Los Angeles bars across the southland: Accomplice Bar, Steep LA, The Lincoln, The Semi-Tropic, and Thunderbolt; Employees Only LA; Gold Line; and downtown’s own Death&Co LA, and Redbird.
For an entire month, each bar will serve two unique cocktails specially developed by top mixologists in Los Angeles using Shochu.
Photo courtesy: Japan Food Product Overseas Promotion Center (JFOODO).
Shochu is a traditional Japanese spirit, not so unlike Sake or Soju, typically made from sweet potatoes, barley, rice, or black sugar.
Shochu is a pure, clean, and expressive spirit that makes use of a variety of traditional ingredients from Japan’s long history to create an appealing range of aromas and tastes.
(Photo Courtesy Death&Co)
Though each type of Shochu has a distinct flavor depending on its base ingredient, the general taste is often described as nutty or earthy, with an ABV of around 25%.
The one-month event will kick off with “Shochu Week,” from January 18 through January 24th. On opening night, there will be a special “Shochu Night” pop-up event at Death&Co LA.
There, customers will be able to enjoy two Shochu drinks for $25, with options including craft Shochu cocktails developed by an expert bartender.
The Japan Food Product Overseas Promotion Center (JFOODO) produces the event, inviting all of Los Angeles to “Spark Your Senses,” with special guest bartender Shuzo Nagumo from Japan at Death & Co. Nagumo is named one of the greatest bartenders on Earth by ‘Bar World 100.”
Photo courtesy: Japan Food Product Overseas Promotion Center (JFOODO).
A second downtown experience, “Shochu Night,” will be held on February 6th at Redbird LA, featuring special guest bartender Takuma Watanabe, one of the founding members of Bar Codename Mixology.
Watanabe has over 20 years’ bartending experience, including ranking in the World Class Top 10 in the Casa Noble cocktail competition, and is the head bartender at Martiny’s, one of New York City’s most iconic cocktail bars.
With so many incredible opportunities to experience this spirit, downtown Los Angeles is about to discover Shochu’s potential like never before.
In the meantime, here’s a cocktail.
Signature Cocktail: Shochu Highball
The Shochu Highball is made with very simple ingredients: Shochu, sparkling water, ice, and fresh fruits, such as citrus.
The Shochu Highball is refreshing, with a clear aftertaste that retains the full flavor of the base spirit, and goes well with many different fruits and other ingredients.
Shuzo Nagumo’s guest appearance schedule:
● January 18th (Thu.) Death&Co LA
● January 20th (Sat.) Redbird and Steep LA
● January 21st (Sun.) Employees Only LA
● January 22nd (Mon.) Thunderbolt
● January 23rd (Tue.) Accomplice Bar and The Lincoln
● January 24th (Wed.) The Semi-Tropic and Gold Line
