The beginning of winter is hot toddy time. Try it Japanese style!

London October 2012: A hot toddy is one way to keep on top of cooler weather and here is a hot toddy recipe Japanese style. It’s a warming cocktail for the season they call Ritto, the “Beginning of Winter”, starting around 5th November.

Hakushu Ritto:
50ml Hakushu 12 Year Old Single
Malt Whisky
75ml hot green tea
Teaspoon of runny honey
Pinch of powdered ginger
Squeeze of lemon juice
Pour Hakushu and green tea into a
mug, add honey, ginger and lemon
juice
Stir until honey is dissolved
Add ginger slice and serve

With a cocktail to welcome in each of their 24 seasons the Japanese raise a Hakushu Ritto (hot toddy) in early November to acknowledge the first sign of winter.  Whatever your normal preference for a warming winter drink this is a recipe with a difference. Suntory Brand Ambassador Zoran Peric has created a cocktail for each of the 24 Japanese seasons, and the Hakushu Ritto combines the subtle tastes and aromas of a 12 year old single malt whisky with hot tea to stimulate the taste buds in colder weather.

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, in cocktails or in a hot toddy as above..

Suntory Single Malt Whiskies are firm favourites in Japan and here in Europe. Enjoy them and especially the warm glow that comes with the Hakushu Ritto.

Pronouncing Suntory Names
Yamazaki – (Ya-ma-zarkee)
Hakushu – (Ha-koo-shoe)
Hibiki – (Hi-bi-kee)

Suntory single malt whiskies are available from: Harrods, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, The Whisky Exchange, independent specialist retailers and www.drinkon.com Hakushu 12 year old single malt around £49.95

The Yamazaki and Hakushu range of single malt and Hibiki blended whiskies from Suntory is distributed in the UK by Cellar Trends. For all sales enquiries contact: sales@cellartrends.co.uk