Sake meets mixology at Fukuju’s inaugural cocktail competition

The inaugural Fukuju Sake Cocktail Competition in Kobe, Japan, celebrated both tradition and creativity, showcasing the evolving role of sake in contemporary cocktails. Kobe Shu-Shin-Kan Breweries, renowned for its Fukuju sake, hosted the first Fukuju Sake Cocktail Competition at its Shushinkan Hall in Kobe on May 18. The event invited bartenders from across Japan to push the boundaries of sake in cocktails, reflecting the growing global interest in sake beyond its traditional role as an accompaniment to Japanese cuisine. With the city of Kobe, known for its rich sake brewing history, as the backdrop, three finalists vied for the top spot in a live competition, presenting their sake-based cocktails to a panel of judges. The challenge was clear: craft a cocktail that not only captured the essence of Kobe but also brought a fresh perspective to how sake can be used in mixology.

A celebration of creativity

Rimi Ikuta, bartender at Kobe’s Bar Sloppy Joe, won the competition with her cocktail Port d’Amour. The drink combined sake with chocolate liqueur, milk, and sake lees, an homage to Kobe’s reputation as a “sweets capital.” The judges praised Ikuta’s ability to balance creativity with a deep respect for the flavours and traditions of sake. “Rimi Ikuta impressed not only with her performance but also with the overall composition of her work, including the naming of her cocktail, its flavour profile and visual presentation,” the judges said. “Every element was beautifully balanced.”

Judging the competition

The finalists’ cocktails were judged on five key criteria: concept, technical skill, originality, presentation and their ability to highlight the distinct character of Fukuju sake. Each bartender had 10 minutes to present their drink, a format that mirrored the pressures of real-world service environments. Kazuya Morisaki, head judge and winner of the 2022 World Cocktail Championship, was impressed by the overall standard. “The competition revealed the incredible potential of sake in mixology,” he remarked. “Each finalist captured a different facet of Kobe’s identity, showing that sake cocktails can speak to a global audience in new and exciting ways.”

Sake’s place in contemporary culture

Takenosuke Yasufuku, president of Kobe Shu-Shin-Kan Brewery, reflected on the significance of the event. “What we witnessed today was more than a contest; it was a step toward redefining how the world experiences sake,” he said. “These cocktails blended creativity and cultural storytelling in a way that truly moved us. I believe this is how sake’s next chapter begins.” The Fukuju Sake Cocktail Competition forms part of the brewery’s ongoing efforts to expand sake’s appeal and influence in the modern bar scene. It is also closely aligned with the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, which will bring further international attention to the region’s rich cultural and gastronomic offerings.

Fukuju’s wider sustainability efforts

The competition comes as Fukuju Brewery continues to make strides in its sustainability efforts. The brewery was recently named a finalist in the 2024 Sustainable Travel Award, in recognition of its sake-themed sustainable tours, which focus on both the traditional aspects of sake brewing and the region’s culinary heritage. Additionally, the brewery has pursued greater environmental responsibility, achieving Organic JAS certification in 2024. This move, coupled with the release of Fukuju’s first organic sake made from rice grown without chemical pesticides or fertilisers, reflects the company’s commitment to sustainable production. The brewery’s green initiatives also include being powered entirely by renewable energy and achieving net-zero emissions in its brewing process.

A nod to Kobe’s resilience

Fukuju Brewery’s recent commemorative release, Fukuju Memories of Tomorrow, marks the 30th anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. The limited edition sake, brewed in the months before the disaster, symbolises both the brewery’s survival and Kobe’s resilience in the face of adversity. All proceeds from the sale of the sake are being donated to disaster education and earthquake awareness initiatives.