To give you an idea of why this type of service is popular, consider that a typical US beer is 12 ounces (355ml) and a typical bottle of sake in Japan can range from 750ml (a typical bottle of wine) to 1.8 liters. The alcohol content of sake is usually 15%, beer averages 5%, and a typical serving of sake is 180ml which means that you would have to have 10 drinks to finish off a 1.8 liter bottle – that’s the equivalent of over 15 beers! Most people are content after 2-3 servings of sake at one sitting so unless you are with a large group the bottle keep service will come in handy. Here’s the catch, don’t expect your bottle to still be there after a month, if unclaimed after that point the unused portion is poured down the drain.

The next time you are in a bar or restaurant in Tokyo look for the bottle keep area behind the bar or in a refrigerator. You will find that some establishments mark the “kept” bottles with simple tape and others have wooden labels that can be very simple or quite elaborate. The combination of different bottle shapes, sizes and the Kanji on the various labels is an interesting sight to ponder and the system itself is a testament to the trust and faith under which the Japanese operate on a daily basis.

Photo Credit: Sake Bottles

Post from: The Tokyo Traveler

Sake Margarita

Salt
1.0 fl. oz. of Sake
1.0 fl. oz. of Orange Curacao
1.0 fl. oz. of Lime Juice
Ice

Mixing Procedure: Frost the rim of a martini glass with salt, combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with the ice, shake, strain into the martini glass, garnish with a Wedge of Lime.

This sounds pretty good doesn’t it?  Why not impress your friends and try one this weekend?

Now for a little fun…

The Tokyo Tsunami

Take 2 salary-men and 1 boss who loves to drink and can force his subordinates to go out with him for a round or two after work.  Combine with 1 izakaya (pub or bar) and a few rounds of the aforementioned sake.  Then, after the izakaya has closed, let them loose on the streets and trains and you have a Tokyo Tsunami!

The Tokyo Tourist

Combine 1 American tourist, with a problem, who doesn’t speak Japanese, and 1 helpful Japanese person who doesn’t speak English.  Shake well to see how slowly and loudly the tourist can speak, in English!

Photo Credit: Flickr, Blood Orange Margarita at Frontera Grill

Post from: The Tokyo Traveler