5 Japanese-inspired fall cocktails to elevate your autumn mixology game

When it comes to fall cocktail recipes, it’s easy to simply stay in your lane. You know, drinks involving spiced rum or bourbon treated to cinnamon. But sometimes, you want something a little more crafty.

So we turn our heads to the archipelago otherwise known as Japan. A couple of faraway bars offered some great options, from highballs to spins on classics like an Old Fashioned cocktail. Some involve matcha, affording comforting flavors and colors.

Perhaps these drinks will inspire a trip abroad (check out our Tokyo bucket list guide). And even if they don’t, they’ll at least offer a different take on fall mixology. Here are five great fall cocktails inspired by Japan.

Hatozaki Smoked Old Fashioned

Created by Amane Ida at Lamp Bar in Nara, this clever cocktail incorporates some smoked citrus.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 ounces Hatozaki Small Batch Whisky
• 1/8 ounce honey
• 3 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1 Piece of smoked orange peel
• Orange zest for garnish

Method:

1. Add all ingredients to a mixing glass apart from the orange zest.
2. Express the orange zest over the glass and use a blowtorch to flame the zest.
3. Add the zest to the mixing glass, along with ice cubes, and stir until perfectly chilled.
4. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube and garnish with an orange zest.

Hatozaki Matcha Highball

Blending matcha, whisky, and honey syrup, this colorful cocktail is ideal for early autumn.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 ounces Hatozaki Finest Blended Whisky
• 1 ounce matcha tea
• 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 ounce honey syrup (1:1)
• Ice
• Soda water
• Lemon peel or twist

Method:

1. Combine the whisky, honey syrup, and chilled or room temperature matcha tea in a shaker.
2. Fill with ice and shake until chilled, then strain into a highball glass filled with ice.
3. Top with soda water, stir lightly, and garnish with a lemon twist.

Hatozaki Honey Cinnamon

This cocktail comes to us from Hiroyasu Kayama at Bar Benfiddich in Tokyo.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 ounces Hatozaki Finest Whisky
• 3/4 ounce orange juice
• 1/8 ounce honey
• 2 dashes cinnamon bitters
• Cinnamon stick for garnish

Method:

1. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
2. Fill with cubed ice and shake until the tin is frosted.
3. Strain into a rocks glass over ice cubes and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Hatozaki Matcha Eggnog

It might seem a little early for eggnog but not after you taste this delightful drink. In fact, you might not even be able to find it at the store yet so go with this workaround. This is a great nightcap cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 ounces Hatozaki Finest Whisky
• 30 grams white bean paste
• 2 tablespoons matcha powder
• 1 whole egg

Method:

1. Combine all ingredients apart from the whisky in a large bowl.
2. Gently whisk until all are mixed and pour in the whisky.
3. Gently stir, then pour into a cocktail shaker.
4. Add ice cubes and shake until the tin is frosted.
5. Double strain into either a rocks glass or a coffee cup.

Sakura Highball

This Highball looks elegant and utilizes some sake liqueur. If you can’t get your hands on sakura flowers, go with whatever you can find near you.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 ounces Hatozaki Finest Blended Whisky
• 3/4 ounce Akashi-Tai Umeshu Plum Sake Liqueur
• Soda water
• Ice
• Dried sakura flowers

Method:

1. Combine the whisky, honey syrup, and chilled or room temperature matcha tea in a shaker.
2. Fill with ice and shake until chilled, strain into a highball glass filled with ice and top with soda water.
3. Stir lightly and garnish with a lemon twist.