What is shochu?
Shochu · Japanese
Japanese spirit usually distilled once from barley, sweet potato or rice. Softer than vodka, often served with water, soda or tea.
What it tastes like
Clean and gentle, tasting of its base: nutty barley, earthy sweet potato or light rice. Low enough in alcohol to sip with food.
Where you’ll see it
Izakayas and Japanese restaurants, in chuhai highballs, with hot water in winter, or on the rocks.
What does shochu taste like? See the dials →