Many of us know that person who is hard to shop for, not because they’re hard to please, but because they seem to have such great taste that it’s a daunting task, especially if they like good things to drink. People have probably already thought of giving them the usual go-tos — some bubbly, whisky, additive-free tequila, or maybe a new, funky wine. But have you considered sake? One of the best newcomers on the market right now is Sake ONO, and it checks all the right boxes — elegant, beautifully brewed, has a great brand story, delicious, food-friendly, and comes in a sleek opaque black bottle with a chic design.
Between the increasing popularity of Japanese whisky and the high reputation of bars specializing in Japanese-style mixology all over the world, sake fits right in with this trend. And another cultural movement that sake has become a big part of is the shift toward low-ABV (lower-proof alcohol) options since it typically clocks in at just about 15 percent ABV. What’s more, as a brewed beverage like beer, but with the food-friendly aromatics of white wine, sake is a great go-to for sipping on its own or using it as a cocktail mixer.
To make Sake ONO, the company’s founders traveled to Japan in search of the best sake brewmasters in the country. This pursuit led them to partner with the historic Yoshi No Gawa brewery in Niigata, which has been around since 1548. A Junmai Daiginjo expression (an ultra-premium style made with at least 50 percent rice that is finely milled and polished) is said to be the ultimate representation of a good sake, but some people find them to be too sweet for their palates. That’s why Sake ONO’s founders made it their mission to brew their Junmai Daiginjo differently, with a drier, more versatile finish that makes it easier to sip and pair with all sorts of cuisine from sushi to strawberry shortcake.
Have a specific type of person you need to shop for? Here are some compelling ways Sake ONO makes a terrific choice:
Your white wine-loving friend who is picky about varietals
You walk into the house and they immediately pull a wine out of the ice bath so it doesn’t get too cold. It’s where you first found out about grower Champagne. They’re into Sauvignon Blanc but prefer the medium-bodied finish of Sancerre. They like Chardonnay, but nothing too oaky. They could discuss different styles of Riesling for hours. Were they excited about that cool Pinot Blanc from Oregon, or a funky pét-nat from the North Fork? Then they will most likely be very into a bottle of Sake ONO (especially when you impress them with its background story for reference — where New World meets Old wWorld).
Your friend or family member who is proud of their home bar
As good as it is neat, Sake ONO is also super cocktail-friendly. If you know someone who’s really into making mixed drinks, it’s an excellent choice. The zippy flavor profile makes it work well as a substitute for white vermouth or dry fortified wine (like Palo Cortado or Fino-style sherry) in recipes, but for a low-ABV option to stand in for much higher-proof white spirits like vodka, gin, or blanco tequila, it’s also a winner. Instead of a Gin and tonic, suggest Sake and Tonic. Or recommend using it in a sour cocktail, simply shaken with citrus and a touch of sweetener or liqueur (as one would for a Margarita or Whiskey Sour). Do they love a good spritz or Negroni? Sake ONO is a wonderful base to mix with aperitivo, amaro, and/or additional bubbles. Sake Martini? There’s a reason why they’re already so popular in Japanese mixology.
The person who loves to host dinner parties
Sake ONO has many things going for it, but one of the best is that it goes with many things. It matches anything from cheese plates and charcuterie, to dumplings, shrimp cocktail, pizza (it’s one of the few options that truly matches the tartness of tomato sauce), or roasted poultry, maybe even a fruit tart, cheesecake, or crème brûlée. Even if that friend or family member on your list knows wine but is new to sake, a bottle of Sake ONO is sure to impress. Especially when you show them how great it tastes with that amazing butternut squash soup recipe everyone insists they make to serve at the start of the meal.
For the person who doesn’t want to waste their holiday calories with just anything in their glass, and because you should have a bottle at home, too, Sake ONO is the choice for this holiday gifting season.
This article is sponsored by Sake ONO.
