Would you like to infuse a little umami (you know, that indescribable fifth flavor capable of inspiring stray thoughts like "why does this taste like magic?") into your next Negroni? If so, I have some good news...all you need is a bottle of umeshu sake (aka "plum sake"). Made from the spectacular stone fruit ume, also referred to as Chinese plum or Japanese apricot, umeshu sake has a unique flavor that is bright, rich, and curiously savory sweet. And when combined with gin and gentian, it makes for one especially wonderful take on the Negroni. This particular variation on the classic version simply replaces the sweet vermouth with umeshu sake and the Campari with Salers. The umeshu Negroni is a remarkably delicious drink with an enticingly warm peachy hue that is somewhat reminiscent of the sky at sunrise. Quite fitting for a cocktail inspired by a celebrated fruit from the land of the rising sun, don't you think?

Umeshu Negroni in a rocks glass on a round wooden table next to a porcelain white and gold lamp in the shape of a stag with a blue and white flowered pillow in the background.

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Ingredients for the Umeshu Negroni
Instructions
📖 Recipe

Ingredients for the Umeshu Negroni

A bottle of gin, a bottle of umeshu sake, and a bottle of Salers.

gin
umeshu sake
Salers
one very large ice cube

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Clear liquid being poured from a steel measuring jigger into a rocks glass with a large ice cube next to a bottle of gin.

Place a very large ice cube in an old fashioned glass and add the gin.

Pale peach colored liquid being poured from a steel measuring jigger into a rocks glass with a large ice cube next to a bottle of umeshu sake with a large red and orange flower on the label.

Then add the umeshu sake.

Pale golden liquid being poured from a steel measuring jigger into a rocks glass with a large ice cube next to a bottle of sales.

Finally, add the Salers and stir until very cold.

Serve and enjoy. (It appears I somehow made this one a double...and yes, my treasured little antique stag lamp from Japan does seem to be judging.)

📖 Recipe

Pale peach colored liquid and a large ice cube in a rocks glass on a round wooden table next to a porcelain white and gold lamp in the shape of a stag with a blue and white flowered pillow in the background.

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Umeshu Negroni

Made from the spectacular stone fruit ume, also referred to as Chinese plum or Japanese apricot, umeshu sake has a unique flavor that is bright, rich, and curiously savory sweet. And when combined with gin and gentian, it makes for one especially wonderful take on the classic Negroni.

Course Drinks

Cuisine American, Italian, Japanese

Keyword cocktail, Negroni variation

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings 1 drink

Ingredients

1 ounce gin
1 ounce umeshu sake
1 ounce Salers

Instructions

Place a very large ice cube in an old fashioned glass.
Add the gin, umeshu sake, and Salers.
Stir until very cold and serve.

Ingredients for the Umeshu Negroni

Instructions

📖 Recipe

Umeshu Negroni

Ingredients

Instructions

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