Celebrate with Sake!

The Chinese New Year will soon be upon us and if you are inclined to celebrate this grand event you will want to have a bottle of Sake. Pronounced "Saaa-Key". It is a delicate wine made of rice with an alcohol content of 17% to 18%. When served correctly it is a delicious, smooth drink and has a wonderful kick.

Sake is the national brew of Japan and is really a beer made from local rice. But because of the high alcohol content it is sometimes mistaken for wine and that is how it is known to most other cultures. But however you think of it Sake has a wonderful slow flavor and is good with any kind of food or alone. It is an inexpensive drink so it is a perfect choice for celebrations.

You can purchase Sake at any oriental store and at most grocery stores. If you are having trouble finding it just ask any clerk and they will gladly take you to it. It can also be picked up at any liqueur store and the bottles are beautiful accent pieces once the Sake is gone.

To serve Sake it is best warmed. This is not meant to be a hot drink. It is to be warmed gently and poured into tiny porcelain bowls, but for the American trying Sake for the first time warm it gently then pour it into espresso cups. Drink slowly for best flavor and results. This is NOT a shot. It is a drink to warm the soul and bring temporary comfort. It is a drink of happiness.

If you decide you would like it as a cold drink then you must try a Sake Sunrise. Mix Sake with just a shot of Grenadine over ice in a clear glass. The effect is beautiful and the taste so wonderful. This is a lovely drink for an early evening in the summer in the back yard. Relax and enjoy this drink with the one you love or with a group of friends looking for nothing to do except be happy.

Sake can be served in a number of ways and one of the most unusual and yet tasty is over salad. Combine various greens with a small can of chucked Mandarin oranges, one small can of well drained water chestnuts and a ¼ cup of chopped pecans. Next mix ¼ cup of light vegetable oil with two tablespoons of Sake and pour over salad. Mix gently and serve immediately with pepper crackers. This is a wonderfully light meal with just the right amount of kick.

There are so many ways to serve Sake you just have to be creative. Once you have tried Sake you will learn how the taste will mix with other foods and be able to create your own special recipes and blends. It is such a versatile drink for any occasion from Chinese New Year to Wedding celebrations in the summer. It is also the perfect way to toast a new love and the future to come, because Sake is believed to bring good luck to anyone keeping a bottle of the special drink in their home.

So if you want to try something different this year or just want to have a Chinese New Year celebration be sure to have Sake on hand for everyone to try. If you have never had Sake then you will be surprised how good it is when warmed. Serve snacks such as small meat sandwiches or egg rolls as a side to round out your evening and Happy Chinese New Year everyone around the world!