2019 Tales of The Cocktail - Unlock Shochu Cocktails Presented by the World Best Mixologists

The Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association team up with Ryan Chetiyawardana-Lyonesse, London, Matthew Hunter-Eleven Madison Park, New York, and Diego Cabrera-Salmon Gru, Madrid introduce New Craft Shochu Cocktails.

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The Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association

Jul 18, 2019, 09:30 ET

NEW ORLEANS, July 18, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association (JSS) introduces eleven varieties of Japan's most popular traditional spirits "Shochu" with handcraft cocktails at the Tales of the Cocktail festival in New Orleans on July 18–20, 2019 at the Sonesta New Orleans. At Tales of the Cocktail New Orleans 2019, JSS will be hosting a Meet Distillers Happy Hour, a Traditional Tasting and a Shochu 101.

Originating from Japan's southernmost island in the 14th century, Shochu is a distilled spirit commonly made from rice, barley and sweet potatoes fermented by koji. Shochu, Japan's national sprits start to reach the US market currently and poised to be the hottest new alcoholic beverages in the country due to their distinct flavor, versatility and low calorie count. They can be served hot, cold or mixed in a cocktail, paired with food or consumed straight.

Last year, well known industry experts and trend setting mixologists visited the islands of Kyushu and Iki with JSS to experience firsthand the heart and soul of Shochu. In the traditional tasting, three mixologists will create new craft cocktails. Iberico Martinezish with Rice Shochu, Sesame Bamboo with Potato Shochu, and Rihei Tonico Sprenger with Barley Ginger Shochu. In Shochu 101 seminar, Matt Hunter will walk you through the history of Shochu, each region, the Koji fermentation process and the atmospheric pressure process as well as tips on how to best use shochu is to create exciting new cocktails. Matt will present two creations, Hebess Spritz with Potato Shochu, and Espresso Martini with Barley Shochu. Also the first Japan Shochu Competition winner, Yumi Miyata will appear as a guest bartender and create a Japanese Shochu Cocktail-Hannari

JSS continues to seek top influencers from the cocktail world and will organize an educational tour from the end of October 2019. Mr. Koga, Managing Director of The Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Associations said, "We are pleased to meet new mixologists who are eager to learn about Shochu and hope the world bar industry realizes the superior craftsmanship of Shochu."

  • Happy Hour- Meet the Distillers: 7/18 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM, Yumi Miyata
  • Traditional Tasting Room #3088: 7/19 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM, Ryan Chetiyawardana-Lyonesse, London #1 World Best 50, Matt Hunter, Eleven Madison Park, New York, Diego Cabrea-Salmon Gru, Spain
  • Shochu 101 Evangeline B: 7/20 10:00 AM-11:00AM, Matt Hunter

For more details, visit http://www.honkakushochu-awamori.jp/english/.

About The Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association:
The Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association was established in 1953 via the Japanese Act on Securing of Liquor Tax and on Liquor Business Associations. Ensuring safe and secure liquor business transactions, it oversees the promotion, development and distribution of sake and shochu in Japan and around the world. The association is comprised of 1700 members from Japan and includes over 600 shochu distilleries throughout the country.

SOURCE The Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association