Plum (Umeshu)

Discover Umeshu Liqueur
When one thinks of a typical Japanese drink, umeshu may not be the first thing that comes to mind. Yet in Japan, it is just as popular and ancient as sake.

While the latter is made from fermented rice, umeshu is produced by macerating plums in alcohol. These plums, called ‘ume,’ are a particularly common variety in Japan.

Because there’s more than just sake, WeWantSake offers you a selection of this plum liqueur.
Umeshu: Discover this Japanese liqueur with unique flavors
In Japanese, Umeshu simply means ‘plum alcohol.’ This liqueur can be produced from neutral alcohol, flavored by macerating ‘ume’ plums, a Japanese variety. The mixture is sweetened with sugar. These three ingredients, always the same, nonetheless offer a wide diversity of results. Umeshu can also be found made from shochu or sake.

The umeshu maturation process follows a certain seasonality. Neutral alcohol is typically bottled with the fruits in June. These will macerate for 6 to 12 months. While it is not uncommon for umeshu to be sold with the fruits, it is advisable, for better preservation, to remove them and eat them separately.

Despite a base of neutral, distilled alcohol, this drink, with an alcohol content varying between 8 and 15%, is relatively mild.

While less known than sake in Europe, umeshu remains very popular in Japan. Both, in fact, appeared around the same period (around the 8th century).
How to Enjoy Umeshu?
Just like sake, there are various ways to enjoy umeshu, but most often, it is consumed as an aperitif. It is generally recommended to drink it chilled, but there are different ways to appreciate it.

It can be served with ice cubes (rokku, from the English ‘rocks’). It is also possible to mix it with sparkling water (sôda wari, ‘cut with soda’ in Japanese) or with hot water (oyu wari).

Umeshu can also be enjoyed as a digestif, or used in cocktails.
Buy Your Umeshu Online: Different Brands for Varied Taste Experiences
Despite a basic recipe that remains largely the same, umeshu varieties are not alike. WeWantSake offers you a selection in various volumes and at different price points.

Among the entry-level options, you will find Azumaichi, at €31.50 incl. tax for a 500 ml bottle, and Ume Yoibito at €33.20 incl. tax for a 720 ml bottle. These bottles, although entry-level, already offer delightful fruity and acidic flavors.

However, we also offer more elaborate umeshu, providing diverse taste experiences. At €51.50 incl. tax, the Tsuyahada is very smooth on the palate. Its unique feature: instead of being produced from distilled alcohol, it is made from fruits macerated in Junmai Ginjo sake. Higher in alcohol, the Beninanko is prepared from red plums.

Finally, at €81.00 incl. tax, Plumity Black is a premium umeshu, produced from plums harvested by the producer.

Japanese Liqueurs: Momoshu, Yuzushu