What is Umeshu?

Umeshu is the most popular liqueur of the Japanese. Every family has its own recipe for it. For the most part, either sake, shochu/awamori or brandy is used as the alcoholic base and is mixed with umeshu, botanically speaking a Japanese type of apricot. The Ume is often called a Japanese plum, because it looks more like a plum than an 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.

Umeshu is drunk in Japan straight, on the rocks or extended with soda water. In winter, the Japanese also drink their liqueur extended with warm water. In our shop you will find a large selection of umeshu. Whether sparkling, with rose, yuzu or barrel stored - there is certainly something for everyone!