Superb Japanese Umeshu liqueur from the experts at Choya, made from a combination of the Nanko ume fruit (which is like a more acidic cousin of stone fruits such as plums and apricots) and sugar cane. This pairing brings a tremendous balance of syrupy sweetness and lip-puckering tartness – fab for sipping between courses, and a refreshing ingredient for adding zing to cocktails too.
Zesty lemon peels, tangy tart notes of underripe plum, countered by a silky, honeyed sweetness, with wafts of vanilla nestling beneath.
I have never reviewed an alcoholic drink before, but the quality of this liqueur has prompted me to do so. It is fruity and slightly tart (like a gage or plum), but then with an underlying nuttiness, similar to amaretto. It is lovely on its own over ice, but I also like to serve it 1-part Choya, 1-part dry sake, 2-parts tonic.
