3 Cocktails Celebrating Cherry Blossom Season

With peak bloom happening these final days of March, D.C.’s National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the lovely pink-hued cherry blossom trees—honoring the 3000 trees given to the United States by then mayor of Japan Yukio Ozaki, 110 years ago!

 

At Chilled we celebrate Cherry Blossom season with cherry blossom-inspired cocktails with a Japanese twist, of course. Check out these three beautifully crafted cocktails made with artisanal Japanese ingredients like shochu mixed with blossomy flavors.  

 

Natasha Sofia, National Director of Education and Advocacy at Davos Brands says of shochu, “Until 2019, shochu was a local spirit sold only in Japanese restaurants. Now, Japanese bartenders recognize the traditional elements and taste of shochu, and thanks to their success, other top bartenders are starting to use it as well.” 

 

 

---

 

 

Sakura Bubbles

Ingredients:  

• 2 oz. iichiko Saiten
• 1 oz. Lime juice
• 3/4 oz. Cherry Blossom Syrup (Monin rose syrup)
• Topped with sparkling wine

Preparation: Mix all ingredients but sparkling wine in cocktail shaker, shake, strain into coupe glass. Garnish with thyme or edible flower. 

 

 

Cherry Blossom White Negroni

Ingredients:  

• 1 oz. iichiko Silhouette 
• 1 oz. Luxardo Bitter Bianco
• 1 oz. Mancino Cherry Blossom Vermouth

Preparation: Mix all ingredients into mixing glass with ice, stir and strain into rocks glass with ice. Garnish with cherry blossom or edible flower. 

 

 

Shochu Paloma

Ingredients: 

• 2 oz. iichiko saiten 
• 1 oz. lemon juice 
• 3/4 oz. cherry blossom syrup 
• 1/2 oz. grapefruit juice 
• Rose lemonade soda (to top) 

Preparation: Mix ingredients in mixing glass with ice. Stir and strain into glass.