STORY

Umeko is our take on the popular Japanese drink Umeshu, a plum liqueur. Instead of distilled spirits (shochu) for the drink's base, we've used sake, but not just sake!

The sake used to make this liqueur has been made using a traditional method called "Hanegi Shibori," which translates to "squeezing a tree." Instead of using a modern machine press, a tree hanging from the brewery's ceiling is used to press the fermented sake. This takes more time and is much more laborious than modern methods, but it gives the sake a clear and refreshing taste.

This special sake is then mixed with the macerated plums and sugar. There's not as much sugar added as you'd find in a normal plum liqueur, though, because the sake is naturally sweeter than distilled alcohol.

The end product is a premium plum liqueur that isn't too sweet, which allows you to enjoy it as a refreshing drink before, during, or after meals.

• ABV: 10%
• Size: 500 ml
• Origin: Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan
• Ingredients: Sake, rock sugar, plum