When the big snows come in Japan they keep company with a Hibiki Taisetsu cocktail

London November 2011: Whether you love it or hate it, when heavy snow falls follow the Japanese example. Celebrate it or commiserate by enjoying a cocktail that lifts the spirits, the Hibiki Taisetsu. Within the 24 Japanese seasons Taisetsu means ‘The big snow’.

Hibiki Taisetsu

40ml Hibiki 17 year old whisky
20ml Umeshu plum sake
2 drops chocolate bitters
20ml hot water
Orange zest
Stir all ingredients with green tea
Double strain into warm balloon glass
Place tea (flower) in old fashioned glass, top up with hot water
Place balloon glass on top to retain warmth

Mid December is the time of the winter solstice, for which the Japanese have a name and a cocktail – Yamazaki Toji. With 24 cocktails to see in the 24 Japanese seasons they don’t mind if time flies.

Yamazaki Toji

50ml Yamazaki 12 year old whisky
15ml Mandarine Napoleon
6ml Absinthe
Brown sugar, vanilla pod, cinnamon, cloves, anis star and orange peel
Light 25ml of the whisky and all other ingredients for 15 seconds
Heat rest of whisky in a balloon glass, add first mix to balloon glass, leave flamed for 5 seconds
Cover glass with napkin to extinguish flame

Both cocktails are from a range of 24 seasonal cocktail recipes created by Zoran Peric, Suntory Brand Ambassador, to bring that inner glow in a month of cold and snow.

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 appeals to the palate whether taken neat, over ice or in cocktails.

Yamazaki 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky and Hibiki 17 Year Old Blended Whisky are firm favourites in Japan and here in Europe. Enjoy them and the warm glow that comes with the Yamazaki Toji and Hibiki Taisetsu cocktails.

Notes: Pronouncing Suntory names

Yamazaki – (Ya-ma-zarkee)

Hakushu – (Ha-koo-shoe)

Hibiki – (Hi-bi-kee)

Yamazaki single malt whiskies are available from: Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, The Whisky Exchange, independent specialist retailers and drinkon.com priced from:

Yamazaki 12 year old £42

Hibiki 17 year old £70

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