Thread: japanese sake

Originally Posted by sensei_kyle

OK. So, what's the best temperature to serve hot sake? I usually pour it into my carafe, then place that in a water bath on the stove and warm gently to about 102. Anybody have other methods? Different temperature opinions?

Honestly, I never looked at the actual temperature. I just heat mine to what I would for hot tea- hot enough to be tasty, not hot enough to burn anything.

Hot or cold comes down to preference. I like some sake hot, some cold. It depends on the brand and my mood.

Wow, we DO have a sake thread! I guess I'll re-invigorate this thread, seems it's been dead for six years!

Got this from a shop called 'Little Tokyo'. Thought I'd try a small bottle first (12 bucks) before I investigated further. This is 'Honjozo' Saki, which I read has a small amount of distilled pure alcohol added to smooth and lighten the flavour and make it more fragrant.

I read that generally sake should be slightly chilled and that years ago sake was 'rougher' and warming made it more palatable but that these days it's smoother and slightly chilled is the way to drink it.

I bought my bottle from the fridge and it cooled in my briefcase over the afternoon. When I got home it was still slightly chilly; not cold at all.

I might try and warm a little of it too, to room temperature and then higher to see what it's like. I'll warm it in a little bowl (I may need to buy the little sake bottle thing) as it'll be nice on this chilly evening.

Seems I may have found a new obsession.

Seems also it goes straight to one's head; the bottle's already blurry as you can see...

[EDIT], Just warmed it to quite warm and I think I like it slightly cool, though, still, it's quite nice warm. warming it changes the flavour quite a bit...