With its studious devotion to tradition, craftsmanship, and hospitality, Japanese cocktail culture is an art form treated with reverence. In this essential guide, Japanese American bartender Julia Momosé of Kumiko and Kikkō in Chicago takes us on a journey into this realm. She educates and inspires while breaking down master techniques and delving into the soul of the culture: the traditions and philosophy, the tools and the spirits—and the complex layering of these elements that makes this approach so significant.
The recipes are inspired by the twenty-four micro-seasons that define the flow of life in Japan. Enter a world where the spiced woodsy cocktail called Autumn’s Jacket evokes the smoldering burn of smoking rice fields in fall, and where the Delicate Refusal tells the tale of spring’s tragic beauty, with tequila blanco and a flutter of sakura petals. Perfected classics like the Manhattan and Negroni, riffs on some of Japan’s most beloved cocktails like the Whisky Highball, and even alcohol-free drinks influenced by ingredients such as yuzu, matcha, and umé round out the collection.
Written by: Julia Momosé with Emma Janzen
Published by: Clarkson Potter
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Further Reading: Founded by Japanese American bartender Julia Momosé, Kumiko opened its doors in Chicago in 2018. Guided by elegance, sophistication, and simplicity, Momosé crafted an atmosphere that quickly drew widespread praise. Within a year, Kumiko—and its omakase sibling, Kikko—earned high accolades from critics both in Chicago and worldwide.
