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Neo-Tokyo

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Alcoholic Cocktail Rocks or Old-Fashioned Glass 10 ingredients

Recipe

  • 3/4 oz Gekkeikan (or Ozeki) Traditional Sake Wine (Rice)
  • 3/4 oz Vodka (Vanilla)
  • 3/4 oz Zen Green Tea Liqueur
  • 1/2 oz Sour Apple Pucker Schnapps
  • 1 dash Sweet and Sour Mix
  • 1/2 oz Blue Curacao
  • 1/4 oz Grenadine Syrup
  • 1 Lime
  • 1 Orange
  • 1 Maraschino Cherry

Instructions

Fans of anime and manga will immediately get the reference. But you don't need to know a think about Japanese culture to enjoy this drink. The Neo-Tokyo is all about neon colours and over-the-top presentation! (And thanks to months of formulation, it tastes pretty darn good too!) After you serve one, you're almost guaranteed to serve another--whether at the same table or at an adjacent one. This cocktail was created in 2007 by Sc'Eric Horner for the Fuji & Jade Garden restaurant in State College, PA. (It was Sc'Erics attempt to de-construct another restaurants signature cocktail, only to rebuild it with almost completely different ingredients.) The sake and Vanil provide the background palette, while the Zen, Pucker and sours Mix and mingle to create a flavor that is surprisingly less sweet than any of them alone. The Blue and Red will then layer just below a pale neon-green, while the garnish towers (in a seemingly impossible manner) above the rim. When you set the garnished empty glass down for the first time, the customer has no idea what they've gotten themselves into! I usually "over-pour" the green part, asking the customer to take a sip before I add the layers. This immediately includes them in the fun of making of the drink. Later, suggesting the squeeze of fresh Lime means they'll have to begin the process of destruction--which, in the end, is not unlike the Buddhist sand mandala.Use a bamboo skewer to elaborately connect an Orange twist, wrapped around a Lime wedge, barely touching the Marachino Cherry which covers the point. Pull half of the Lime-skin away from the Fruit and use the Lime vertically (like a paperclip) to perch the entire crane-like garnish on the edge of a chilled cocktail glass. Combine sake, Stoli, Zen, Pucker, sours and ice into a shaker. Shake and strain into the glass, in front of the customer. Pour Blue Curacao into the glass and allow the drink to settle into two layers. Slowly add the Grenadine. Do not stir! Encourage the customer to squeeze the Lime into the glass for a more well-balanced flavour. If left un-stirred, the drink will remain in layers as the customer imbibes. (When stirred, it turns an unsettling violet-Black.) Use a Bamboo skewer (approx. 5").

About Neo-Tokyo

The Neo-Tokyo cocktail is a vibrant and eclectic mix that captures the essence of both traditional Japanese flavors and modern, bold tastes. At its core, this drink features Gekkeikan or Ozeki Traditional Sake, lending a smooth and subtle rice wine base. The addition of vanilla vodka introduces a creamy sweetness, while Zen Green Tea Liqueur adds an earthy, aromatic layer. Sour Apple Pucker Schnapps gives the cocktail a tangy, fruity kick, and a dash of Sweet and Sour Mix balances the flavors with its tartness. Blue Curacao adds a striking blue hue and a hint of citrus, while a touch of Grenadine Syrup provides a splash of color and a sweet finish. Garnished with a lime wedge, an orange slice, and a maraschino cherry, the Neo-Tokyo is as visually appealing as it is delicious.

The Neo-Tokyo cocktail embodies a fusion of Eastern and Western influences, reflecting the cosmopolitan spirit of Tokyo itself. It is a modern creation, likely inspired by the rise in popularity of Japanese ingredients and flavors in global mixology. The drink’s components are carefully chosen to represent a blend of tradition and innovation, making it a delightful choice for those seeking an adventurous and refreshing experience. Whether sipped in a bustling bar or enjoyed at a quiet gathering, the Neo-Tokyo offers a taste journey that is both familiar and new, much like the ever-evolving city it is named after.

This cocktail is alcoholic, so drink responsibly! Best served in a Rocks or Old-Fashioned Glass, though any glass works!

Feel free to get creative with substitutions — try different fruit types, sugar substitutes, or liquor brands. Crafting cocktails should be fun!

Shopping List

This drink uses 10 core ingredients. Click any ingredient to find more drinks featuring it:

  1. Sake
  2. Vodka (Vanilla)
  3. Tea Liqueur
  4. Schnapps (Sour)
  5. Sweet and Sour Mix
  6. Blue Curacao
  7. Grenadine
  8. Lime(s)
  9. Orange(s)
  10. Cherries

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