Presented by Cooks’ World and Pinnacle Wine & Liquor

If you’d like to learn more about saké and how to enjoy it in cocktails and with your meals, come to the “Saké Simplified” seminar I’m presenting at Pinnacle Wine & Liquor on Wednesday, October 2. Seating is limited, so reservations are required. More details are on the registration page here. 

With its clean, dry, flavorful style, a flavorful Junmai saké is a natural choice for a delicious, lower-alcohol Martini.

By now, I hope some of you have tried the Geisha Martini, our Cocktail of the Week two weeks ago. That one is cucumber-forward, while this Sake-tini employs gin and Grand Marnier for a less neutral marriage of juniper, from a small dose of gin, and orange from Grand Marnier or any similar Cognac-based orange liqueur. I love this drink!

Pinnacle carries a variety of Junmai sakés that will work, each with a unique flavor profile. I suggest starting with Tozai Living Jewel, Hawk in the Heavens, or Everlasting Roots. 

SAKE-TINI
2½ oz Junmai saké
1 oz Sipsmith VJOP Gin or a similar London Dry Gin
½ oz Grand Marnier, Cointreau, or similar Cognac-based orange liqueur

Before mixing, chill a Martini glass or cocktail coupe in your freezer or with ice and water. 

Combine the ingredients in a cocktail mixing glass, add plenty of ice, and stir for about 15 seconds to chill well. Strain the mix into the chilled cocktail glass, and garnish with two thinly sliced wafers of cucumber (preferably a seedless one).

About our Cocktail of the Week partners—shop local and independent!
Cooks’ World and Pinnacle Wine & Liquor are less than a mile from each other, on Monroe Avenue near Twelve Corners in Brighton.

Cooks’ World, in business since 1978, is Rochester’s premier retailer of dining, kitchen, and cooking products, including a complete selection of glassware, mixology tools, and accessories for wine and spirits lovers. Follow Cooks’ World on Facebook and Instagram. Sign up here to receive Cooks’ World’s daily email specials and other news. 

Pinnacle Wine & Liquor, in business since 1997, offers a thoughtfully curated selection of spirits and wine from around the world, with a savvy staff to assist in your selection and encourage you along your cocktail and wine journey. Follow Pinnacle on Facebook and Instagram. For the inside track on Pinnacle’s spirits sales, send two text messages to (585)765-7546:
— Text the word “bourbon,” to receive weekly text messages offering the chance to buy rare or allocated whiskies or special prices on popular products.
—Text the word “spirits,” to receive roughly monthly offers on fine spirits other than whiskies.