What is Umeshu?

Umeshu is one of the most popular alcoholic delicacies in Japan. Every family has its own recipe for it. Sake, Shochu/Awamori or brandy are usually used as the alcoholic base and topped with ume. This is often referred to as a plum, but botanically speaking it is actually a type of apricot.

The Umeshu manufacturers are becoming more and more creative, so there are now over 300 different brands with different tastes in Japan: Green tea, lime, mango, banana, ginger or lemongrass are added to the traditional Umeshu to create sparkling new drinks. Umeshu usually has an alcohol content between 14 - 20%.

The Umeshu found its way from China to Japan a long time ago and was first used as a medicine for sore throats. The word Umeshu first appeared in a dictionary of Japanese food in 1697.

In Japan, umeshu is drunk straight, on the rocks or extended with soda water. In winter, the Japanese also like to drink it with warm water. There is a large selection of umeshus in our store. Whether sparkling, with melon or yuzu, or barrel-aged - there is sure to be something for everyone!