Oaxaca Old Fashioned

The Yuzu Choco is a unique cocktail that offers a departure from the traditional Western style of mixology. The recipe requires some effort in sourcing ingredients like yuzu and barley-based shochu, but the resulting drink is a delightful introduction to Japanese cocktail making. The recipe is featured in The Japanese Art of the Cocktail by Masahiro Urushido, head bartender and managing partner at Katana Kitten, a renowned cocktail bar in New York City. Finding yuzu can be challenging, but specialty sake and Japanese spirits shops are good places to start. The recipe also calls for Tempus Fugit creme de cacao and Suze, which are more commonly found in Western bars. The finished cocktail is dry with notes of sweet grains and lemon, and finishes with a complex bitterness from the Suze and cacao. The yuzu provides a unique flavor that sets the Yuzu Choco apart from other cocktails. Overall, the Yuzu Choco is a delightful cocktail that offers a refreshing change of pace for those interested in exploring different styles of mixology. While the ingredients may be hard to find, the effort is worth it for the experience of trying a new and exciting cocktail.