From Kuri to Kuro: A Cocktail for the Japanese Fall
Oct. 2, 2026
As the days grow shorter and the leaves turn golden, it’s time for warm, nutty, and full-bodied flavors. The chestnut plays a special role here. With its delicate sweetness and slightly earthy character, it’s the perfect ingredient for an extraordinary fall cocktail.
In Japan, too, the chestnut—known there as “kuri”—is a traditional harbinger of fall. Whether as “kuri gohan,” a rice dish with chestnuts, or in artfully prepared wagashi sweets, it’s hard to imagine Japanese fall cuisine without the chestnut. Our autumnal cocktail combines this tradition with four exceptional Japanese ingredients. Dover Maron Liqueur brings the gentle sweetness and nutty aroma of chestnuts to the glass. Mizutoriki Kura no Hana 44 Junmai Daiginjo complements the composition with its elegant, multi-layered aroma and subtle umami. Saikogura Rice Shochu forms the clear, characterful base. The special highlight is the 18 Years Kuro Black Mirin. Its intense aroma—developed through long aging—with hints of caramel, dried fruit, and spicy sweetness lends the drink an extraordinary depth. The result: an elegant, multi-layered fall cocktail that uniquely combines Japanese craftsmanship with the delights of fall.
Recipe:
- 4 cl Saikogura Rice Shochu
- 3 cl Mizutoriki Kura no Hana 44 Sake
- 1 cl Dover Maron Liqueur
- 1.5 cl 18 Years Kuro Black Mirin
Preparation:
Place all the ingredients and ice in a mixing glass, stir gently until cold, and strain into a pre-chilled coupette.
Kanpai, and here's to a wonderful fall!
