How to: Sake Bomb!
What is a Sake Bomb?
It’s not reverent, it’s not traditional, but it’s undeniably fun – this is the infamous sake bomb. A sake bomb consists of a “shot” of sake and a pint of beer, with enough space left in the glass for the sake to be dropped in and enjoyed together.
It’s meant to be consumed fast and recklessly.
…so let us show you how to do one:
Step 1: Sake Bomb Supplies
You’ll need 5 things:
- Sake – The stronger, the better. Reach for something that’ll put hair on your chest, like our bold genshu sake, “Quiet Giant”.
- Sake glass – This can be a shot glass, but if you’re feeling like perversely blending tradition and roughneck Americanism, use an ochoko.
- Beer – A Japanese or light lager like Sapporo or Asahi
- Beer glass – A pint glass is best.
- Chopsticks – Any kind will do.
Step 2: Sake Bomb Set Up
Here’s the set up:
A. On a sturdy table, fill your beer about half way up the glass – you can go to about 60%, but don’t get greedy. Pour more than that and you’re gonna have more beer on the table than in your glass.
B. Place your chopsticks in parallel on top of the glass. They should be close enough together to hold the sake glass.
C. Place sake glass on top of the chopsticks. You can fill your glass before or after its placed on top, but if you’re daring like us, fill it after.
You’re about to do a sake bomb, aren’t you?
Well go ahead and tag us so we can see your handy work. #northamericansake
Step 3: Ichi, ni, san – sake bomb!
Now you’re ready to bomb. Hover your fists about 6 inches above the table, on either side of the sake bomb. Start the countdown. “Ichi!”, without hitting the table, pump your fists once up and down. “Ni!”, once more. “San!”, last time. “Sake bomb!!!“, slam your fists on the table. If done correctly, this will cause the sake glass to fall from the chopsticks and into the glass.
Step 4: Drop and Drink!
Finally, and counter to all that is sacred – chug, gulp, and guzzle the concoction. This is best done in a large group. The larger the group, the bigger the bragging rights if you’re the one to finish first.
Want to build your best sake bomb yet? Drop and drink Virginia’s only artisanal sake!
