Temperature
This post is part of The Koji Club BINGO. Play the game to win a karaoke party and build your sake chops in the process. Learn more here.
My first experience with warm sake was less than ideal. Microwaved till boiling, each sip burned my nose and tasted like rubbing alcohol and nail polish remover.
My second experience with warm sake was more or less the same. This time, it came from a large sake warming machine. The sake tasted like plastic and dampness, or an old draft line that hadn’t been cleaned in years. At least my tasting notes were right – the bartender admitted he had no clue how to even clean the machine.
Many Koji Club Members share similar stories in club meetings. But our subpar experiences couldn’t be further from the magic of a properly warmed glass of sake. Warming sake – the right way! – can bring out different, complex flavors that are indiscernible at chillier temperatures.
The best way to warm sake
Pour sake into a heat-proof vessel. While a tokkuri is the more traditional route, a mason jar works just fine, too.
Submerge the vessel in a pan of water. Note: The water level should reach the level of sake liquid in the vessel for even heating.
Turn on the stove and heat sake gradually as if you were melting chocolate or butter. Use a thermometer and the temperature guide below to explore what temperature you like best!
Drinking Sake at Different Temperatures
Heartier sakes such as Junmai and Honjozo transform when gently warmed, offering aromas and flavors that lay dormant chilled. Though delicate daiginjos and ginjos are often best served at a white wine temperature, it certainly hasn’t stopped us from heating a glass or two to see what happens.
This winter, switch up the old hot toddy routine and try some warm sake instead!
This is a blog post from the #DrinkGoodSake Project Bingo Game. To complete the Bingo square, follow the steps below:
Step 1. Join us at The Koji Club bar for a glass of warm sake.
Step 2. Present your BINGO card to the bartender for a sticker.
Step 3. If the square completes Bingo, post a picture of your winning Bingo card on Instagram with the hashtag #DrinkGoodSake and tag @the.koji.club. This is your entry to win a Karaoke Party at The Koji Club! Play as many times as you want entries. Winners will be drawn monthly.
EXTRA CREDIT: Post a picture of your sake with your own tasting notes (the wilder the better!) and the #DrinkGoodSake hashtag. Don’t forget to tag @The.Koji.Club to make sure we see it!