Expecting a touch of frost to appear – follow Japanese tradition with a timely Hibiki Hakuro cocktail

London August 2012: Don’t get depressed when you see the first frosty morning dew, even if summer is fast becoming just a memory. The Japanese have just the answer, time to mix a cheery cocktail or two for the month of September. With their 24 seasons (and a cocktail for each) there is always a way they can commiserate or celebrate the weather. Try a Hibiki Hakuro or a Hakushu Shuubun. They are from a range of seasonal cocktails created by Zoran Peric, Suntory Brand Ambassador.

Hibiki Hakuro is the cocktail to banish the blues or to celebrate the coming of the cooler seasons when dew appears. Hakushu Shuubun will repeat the effect in the second half of September, time of the Autumn Equinox.

Hakuro – when the white morning dew appears (8 September)

That fall in temperature is the wake-up call for an Hibiki Hakuro cocktail.

Hibiki Hakuro : 50ml Hibiki 17 Year Old Blended Malt whisky

50ml Sugarcane juice

2.5ml Milk thistle

Pour ingredients over ice, stir thoroughly

Serve in a chunky highball glass

Garnish with a twist of orange

Shuubun – the time of the Autumn Equinox (22 September)

If you are banishing the blues try a Hakushu Shuubun.

Hakushu Shuubun: 50ml Hakushu 12 Year Old Single Malt whisky

20ml Yuzu juice

20ml Gomme syrup

1 Egg white

Shake ingredients thoroughly and pour into a cocktail goblet

Garnish with lemon twist

Suntory Japanese whiskies are world beaters having won more than 60 international awards since 2003 and whisky lovers have taken to them. There is something about their subtle aromas and delicate flavours which appeal to the palate whether taken neat, over ice or in cocktails.

Hakushu 12 year old Single Malt whisky and Hibiki 17 year old Blended Malt whisky are firm favourites in Japan and here in Europe. Taste them at their best in the Hibiki Hakuro and Hakushu Shuubun cocktails above.

Note: Pronouncing Suntory names

Yamazaki – (Ya-ma-zarkee)

Hakushu – (Ha-koo-shoe)

Hibiki – (Hi-bi-kee)

Suntory single malt and blended whiskies are available from: Selfridges, Harvey Nicols, The Whisky Exchange, Whisky Shop, independent specialist retailers and drinkon.com priced from:

Hakushu 12 year old around £52

Hibiki 17 year old around £70

Japanese whiskies from Suntory are distributed in the UK by Cellar Trends. For all sales enquiries contact: sales@cellartrends.co.uk