The World of Shochu at Izakaya Juraku

At Izakaya Juraku, we carry one of the most diverse shochu selections in New York City. Shochu is Japan's distilled spirit, versatile, smooth, and a lot more varied than most people expect.

What Is Shochu?

Shochu is distilled from ingredients like barley, sweet potato, rice, buckwheat, and even green tea. Unlike sake, which is brewed, shochu is distilled, which means a higher alcohol content (typically 25–30%) and a wider range of flavors. It's been a staple in Kyushu and Okinawa for centuries.

Our Shochu Selection

We carry a thoughtfully curated list of shochu across different styles and regions:

• Sweet Potato (Imo) Shochu: Kuro Kirishima, Aka Kirishima, Shiro Kirishima, Daiyame 40 Potato, Kuro Yokaichi, Satsuma Kuradashi Genshu, and Tomino Hozan Imo Shochu
• Barley (Mugi) Shochu: Yanagita Koma Barley Shochu
• Rice (Kome) Shochu: Kiuchi Rice Shochu Classic Edition and Ginka Edition
• Soba (Buckwheat) Shochu: Towari Soba Shochu
• Green Tea Shochu: Gyokuro Green Tea Shochu
• Brown Sugar Shochu (Kokuto): Amami Kakuto Shochu
• Classic & Versatile Shochu: Sakura Shiranami Shochu and Takara Shochu

How to Enjoy Shochu

• Neat or on the rocks, for the full depth of flavor
• Mizuwari (with water), the classic way to drink it
• Oyuwari (with warm water), which brings out different notes
• In cocktails, where its versatility makes it a solid base

If you haven't tried shochu before, ask our bartenders for a recommendation or a tasting flight. Find us at 121 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002.