Sakura Martini
Stir, strain, up, garnish with a salted cherry blossom.
- Definitely 5★ in terms of looks. Taste is simple and sake forward. I would add a pinch of salt before mixing, especially if using fresh Sakura (which is even better looking).
- a sake-dominant drink.
Made with Drumshanbo Gunpowder gin, Brooklyn Kura Blue Door Junmai sake, and Luxardo Maraschino (and a dash of Regan's orange bitters to make up for the lack of the cherry blossom). The green tea notes of the gin works very, very well - I would recommend using Roku or any other Japanese gin here as well. The drink is well-balanced when using these ingredients; the sake does not overpower the gin's botanicals.
If you can find sake bermutto (vermouth made from sake), consider using it here and increasing the proportion of gin.