Cherry blossoms are in full bloom throughout various parts of Japan.
With the scent of spring in the air and new beginnings on the horizon, many are likely excited for new encounters.
Golden Week is just around the corner, so once you have gathered some like-minded friends, it would be a great idea to start making travel plans right away.
Hamada Syuzou has announced a collaboration with The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Kyoto.
Cocktails featuring DAIYAME and CHILL GREEN have been available since Monday, April 1, 2024.
Recommended by Arashi's Aiba Masaki ! "DAIYAME"Japanese Sweet Potato Shochu with lychee-scented!
Hamada Syuzou × The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Kyoto
The COVID-19 pandemic has passed, and the number of travelers from both inside and outside Japan is steadily increasing.
In this climate, Hamada Syuzou of Kagoshima, founded in the first year of the Meiji era, has launched a Japanese cocktail collaboration with THE BAR inside The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Kyoto in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture!
On Monday, April 1, 2024, they began serving a total of three cocktail variations using the authentic sweet potato shochu DAIYAME and the botanical-based barley shochu CHILL GREEN spicy＆citrus.
The person who devised the recipes for these collaboration cocktails is Kenta Komuro, a bartender at THE BAR.
Under the theme "Shochu Cocktails for Healing with Fragrance featuring Hamada Syuzou," he will provide new cocktails from Kyoto, a hub for promoting Japanese tradition.
"While exploring how to make the most of the distinctive aromas, I thought of cocktail recipes for DAIYAME and CHILL GREEN.
These cocktails are perfect for a drink before returning to your room after enjoying sightseeing in Kyoto, or when you want to relax after finishing work.
Please feel free to stop by."
(Translated from Japanese)
Kyodo News PR Wire
Ikoi
"I poured the meaning of Daiyame, which is 'healing fatigue with an evening drink,' into this single glass.
The cocktail name is 'Ikoi.'
Adding a sense of Kyoto to the meaning of 'resting the body and mind,' I adopted Japanese black tea, which has a relaxing effect.
Additionally, the scent of cherry blossoms and the pale pink color create a sense of tranquility through taste and sight.
On the edge of the glass, I used olives and kinome to represent lychee, which is the comparison used for the scent of Daiyame.
Please enjoy a moment to heal your daily fatigue."
(Translated from Japanese)
Kyodo News PR Wire
SARA
"A shochu and sake cocktail that you have probably never seen paired together before (the sake is Tsuki-no-Katsura from Fushimi, Kyoto).
Imagining the color of the flowers of the Sal tree (pale yellow), I named it SARA, which also means 'new' in Kyoto dialect.
I chose a name that is easy for overseas customers to pronounce as well.
By mixing the 'unexplored fragrance' of DAIYAME, which is recognized by the world, with the good old depth of sake, I finished it as a unique cocktail with a sense of unity.
I used spring-like kumquats as an item to connect the two, rounding it out with a refreshing sweetness."
(Translated from Japanese)
Kyodo News PR Wire
Samidori
"Samidori is a word that represents young leaves or young grass.
I imagined the cocktail color from the 'chill (calm down, relax)' and 'green (natural feel)' of the botanical-based barley shochu CHILL GREEN.
I am creating a sense of Kyoto using 'Kyoto Gin' and sencha.
I named it 'Samidori' because the fact that I felt unknown possibilities in shochu cocktails matched the image of young leaves that are about to grow.
Please savor the harmony woven by shochu and the essence of Kyoto."
(Translated from Japanese)
Kyodo News PR Wire
The authentic sweet potato shochu DAIYAME is characterized by a gorgeous lychee-like aroma, while the botanical-based barley shochu CHILL GREEN spicy＆citrus offers a citrus scent and a stimulating taste.
While the word shochu might sound like a high hurdle, these are actually very easy to drink and are gems I specifically want young people to try.
The collaboration cocktails served at The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Kyoto since Monday, April 1, 2024, are 1,391 yen each (including consumption tax and service charge).
When you travel to Kyoto, please stay at The Royal Park Hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening with these cocktails.
Follow & Like Campaign Being Held!
An Instagram campaign commemorating this collaboration is currently underway.
Simply follow the official Instagram accounts of The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Kyoto @iconickyoto and Hamada Syuzou @hamadasyuzou until Tuesday, April 30, 2024, and like the post for Ikoi!
If you show the follow and like screen to the bartender, you can enjoy the Ikoi cocktail for 1,000 yen (including consumption tax and service charge).
