In our Fall 2011 issue, we featured Courvoisier’s newest incarnation, Courvoisier Rosé, a clever marriage of premium French wine and deep, smoky cognac. We enjoyed sipping it straight up, but it’ll be even better as a chic cocktail, perfect for cooler autumn evenings.
When one hears “Japanese cocktails,” one probably imagines a super-sweet, super-weak sake drink. Who knew Japan is considered one of the “big five” whisky producing countries, along with Ireland, Scotland, Canada and the U.S. And with whisky cocktails all the rage right now, it’s a good time to expand your bar menu repertoire beyond fruity, frou frou drinks.
ISSUE: Spring 2011
DEPT: Entertaining
STORY: Anna M. Park
For Master Sake Sommelier Yuji Matsumoto — the first in the U.S. — sake is more than just sushi’s sidekick. Appreciating Japan’s native drink is all about “designing taste.”
ISSUE: Winter 2010-11
DEPT: Entertaining
STORY: Anna M. Park
Master Sake Sommelier Yuji Matsumoto pours the Oyama sake into a white wine glass. Holding the base and stem, he swirls, then sniffs. Fruity. Tart. Perhaps a hint of pear? It’s a familiar scene at any wine tasting, but for sake? Indeed, says Matsumoto, one of only 60 certified master sake sommeliers in the world. In sake, it’s all about taste, he adds, as opposed to varietals or regions.
In fact, Matsumoto gives seminars on “designing taste,” informing the industry on brewing standards, mill percentages and aging. He’s a man who takes his work seriously, so you have to give Kabuki restaurants real cred that it’s got the U.S.’s first (and until recently, only) master sake sommelier on board. Matsumoto oversees all of the 14 Kabuki restaurants’ extensive sake and cocktail menu, making sure to complement Corporate Executive Chef Masa Kurihara’s newly unveiled menu of both traditional and innovative Japanese cuisine. Started in 1991 when owner David Lee opened the first Kabuki in Pasadena, Calif., today the 14 Kabukis in the western U.S. include restaurants in Las Vegas and their newest location in Brea, Calif.
Details Kabukirestaurants.com
Master Sake Sommelier Yuji Matsumoto’s Plum Orange Tokyo Mojito
Ingredients:
7-8 mint leaves
2 oz Jinro Soju 2.5 Takara Plum Wine
1 oz bar syrup
Dash of Yuzu juice (a Japanese citrus)
2 orange wheels
Muddle and mix the first five ingredients. Top off with club soda and garnish with orange wheels.
Claudia Chan is obsessed with shopping. But she’s even more obsessed with fun, deals and especially sharing.
You’re in luck. Because Chan will be sharing some of her shopping finds with you when she brings Shecky’s Girls Night Out to Los Angeles next week.
Some L.A. shoppers with their Shecky's gift bag.
From May 19-20, the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium will transform into a shopping wonderland. Grab your girlfriends (or your mom for a belated Mother’s Day!) and get your summer glow on at The Body Shop, and then snag some entertaining tips (and the latest beach-chair beverage) at Shecky’s Haute Hostess Lounge. Try some of Polka Dot Wine’s refreshing Rieslings before meeting author Andrea Syrtash to score an autographed copy of He’s Just Not Your Type.
Shecky's Girls Night Out Los Angeles 2009.
And of course, all the while, the deejay is spinning tunes as you discover that perfect, must-have necklace of the season, a cool cocktail or beer in hand. Shopping, girlfriends and cocktails? It doesn’t get any better.
Some of the goods at Shecky's Girls Night Out.
So much jewelry to choose from ...
Ethnic details at Shecky's Boston 2010.
Don’t be left out. Buy tickets in advance ($25) and get Shecky’s Famous Goodie Bag packed with fresh products from Suave Naturals, Venus Embrace, Kiss, The Body Shop, Listerine and Colgate.
Shoppers at Shecky's Girls Night Out New York City in March.
The Deets:
WHERE: Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main St. (Pico Blvd. & Colorado Ave.), Santa Monica, CA
WHEN: Wednesday – Thursday, May 19th – 20th, 5pm — 10pm
Shecky's president Claudia Chan.
One of many stylish vendors at Shecky's Girls Night Out.
Photos courtesy of Shecky’s.
How many times have you heard this one: “Ya know, [insert Asian group here] are the Irish of Asia!” Well, this St. Paddy’s Day, I’m turning this around. The Irish are the Asians of Europe, and to celebrate, we’re making soju cocktails.
Photo by DraconianRain.
We recently got a bottle of Ty Ku Premium Liqueur in the office (strictly for professional test kitchen purposes). Besides its nifty light-up bottle, we were intrigued by the company’s claim that the liqueur only has 72 calories per serving. Now, I’m not the biggest soju fan, but I could get my St. Paddy’s day off to a good start with Ty Ku Premium Liqueur. It’s soju, but it’s mixed with Asian super fruits like mangosteen and goji berry, which are full of antioxidant good stuff. And when you’re looking forward to the one night of the year where drinking is celebrated, you need all the antioxidants you can get.
But the best part is that each Ty Ku cocktail purportedly has just 100 calories per serving. Much better than the pint of Guinness I was planning on nursing the whole of the night. My Asian eyes will definitely be smiling. What are your St. Patrick’s Day plans?
Ty Ku's Naughty Leprechaun.
1.5 ounces TY KU Liqueur
0.25 ounces Soju
Squeeze of lemon
Shake in a cocktail shaker and pour into a martini glass.
