When it gets cold or really, really cold take a tip from the Japanese – make yourself a Hibiki Shokan or a Yamazaki Daikan cocktail

London January 2012: It’s a quick and delicious way to warm up. With 24 seasons in their year the Japanese have a cocktail answer for most situations. Shokan means “Small cold” and Daikan means “Major cold” in Japanese parlance. Here’s how they dispel the cold with these two tasty solutions.

Hibiki Shokan – the start of the cold season (6 January)

If your taste is for a blended whisky this is the winter warmer for you

Recipe:

40ml Hibiki 17 Year Old blended whisky

20ml Cherry Marnier

Vanilla pod (opened)

Pour ingredients over ice in a mixing glass

Add vanilla pod, orange zest and stir 30 times then strain over cracked ice in a rocks glass

Garnish with orange zest

Yamazaki Daikan – height of the cold season (21 January)

If your preference is for single malt whisky, try this on for central heating

Recipe:

40ml Yamazaki 12 year old single malt whisky

25ml Absinthe infusion (infusion of absinthe, cinnamon, vanilla pod, anis, cherry marnier, lemon zest and fresh cherries)

2 drops cherry bitters

Stir all ingredients over ice 30 times in mixing glass

Strain over cracked ice in balloon or chunky whisky glass

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 Daikan and Hibiki Shokan cocktails.

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 Nichols, The Whisky Exchange, independent specialist retailers and drinkon.com priced from:

Yamazaki 12 year old £42

Hibiki 17 year old £70

The Suntory range of Japanese whiskies is distributed in the UK by Cellar Trends. For all sales enquiries contact: sales@cellartrends.co.uk