Ohoro Gin: A Unique Hokkaido Craft Gin at Izakaya Juraku

Ohoro Gin is part of Japan's growing craft gin scene, distilled in Hokkaido using local botanicals that actually taste like the place they're from.

The Story Behind Ohoro Gin

Ohoro Gin comes from Benizakura Distillery, Hokkaido's first dedicated gin distillery, founded in 2018. They build small-batch gins around local Hokkaido botanicals. The name "Ohoro" comes from the Ainu word meaning "to continue onward."

Ohoro Gin's Distillation and Unique Botanicals

Ohoro Gin is built on Hokkaido-sourced ingredients:

• Haskap berries, a tart-sweet berry native to Hokkaido, for fruity depth
• Ezo spruce, a coniferous tree that gives it a forest-like aroma
• Japanese peppermint, for a cool, refreshing edge
• Coriander, angelica root, and other classic gin botanicals for balance
• Soft, mineral-rich Hokkaido water for a clean finish

How We Use Ohoro Gin at Izakaya Juraku

We built our Ohoro Gin & Tonic around it:

• Ohoro Gin as the botanical base
• Japanese citrus and Hokkaido herbs, playing off the gin's forest and fruit notes
• Craft tonic water that doesn't drown out the gin
• A sprig of fresh herbs as garnish

It's light, refreshing, and tastes distinctly like Hokkaido.

How to Enjoy Ohoro Gin at Izakaya Juraku

• Neat or on the rocks, to taste it straight
• As a gin and tonic, the simplest way in
• In one of our seasonal cocktails — ask your bartender what's pouring

Try it at Izakaya Juraku, 121 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002. If you like gin with a sense of place, this one has it.

Kanpai!