Food & Drink

Where to Drink a Yummy Sake Slushie

On a hot day, a sake slushie from TankaSan is just the thing

By Amy Pennington July 26, 2016

0816eatdrinkchefsspecial

This article originally appeared in the August 2016 issue of Seattle Magazine.

When Eric Tanaka, executive chef and business partner for Tom Douglas’ restaurant group, suggested that it might be interesting to create a frozen sake juice box (as seen in Japan), Adam Chumas ran with the idea. But instead of a juice box, the bar director for Tom Douglas Restaurants proposed adding sake to a slushy machine. What resulted is a brilliant though simple icy beverage that you can sip or spoon. Year around, the sake slushy is the most popular drink on the menu at Douglas’ TanakaSan restaurant (downtown, 2121 Sixth Ave.; 206.812.8412; tanakasanseattle.com).

The original version, which debuted when the restaurant opened, pairs sake with lemon juice and simple syrup. The mixture is poured into a slushy machine and churned. Other versions are topped with floats of boozy color, such as the Ruby Red, which shows off its mix of crème de pamplemousse and Aperol, tasting of grapefruit and strong herbal bitters. A tropical version, the Mai Tai slushy, is doused with dark rum and freshly pressed pineapple juice from the juice bar at neighboring Assembly Hall.

TanakaSan’s slushy is very versatile, says Chumas. “You can put anything on it and it tastes great.” His favorite? The original sake slushy with a float of the Japanese lager Sapporo. Get yours during slushy happy hour, from 3 to 6 p.m. daily.

 

Sake Slushie Basics

Why this drink: Slushies are refreshing, especially during the hot months. “They are a fun, thematic play on the menu at TanakaSan,” Chumas adds. The slushy “incorporates a cool, traditional Japanese beverage with a fun cocktail-idea twist.”

Key ingredient: Sake. At TanakaSan, they use a dry sake (such as Hakutsuru).

When you’ll find it: Year around.

Make it at home: Purchase everyday drinking sake from Uwajimaya (Chinatown–International District, 600 Fifth Ave. S; 206.624.6248; uwajimaya.com; also in Renton and Bellevue) or for a splurge, visit Saké Nomi (Pioneer Square, 76 S Washington St.; 206.467.7253; sakenomi.us), a high-end sake store, and buy a bottle of Hou Hou Shu sparkling sake, which is low in alcohol and high in residual sugar. With this sake, says Chumas, you can simply pour it into trays and freeze—no blending of simple syrup or lemon juice needed. “It makes a fluffy, wonderful, snow-like slushy.”

 

PHOTO: Hayley Young. TankaSan’s Adam Chumas perfects a sake slushie.

Sake Slushy Recipe for a Crowd

9 cups sake

2 cups water

1 cup simple syrup

1/2 cup lemon juice

Stir all ingredients together until well blended. Pour into ice cube trays and freeze. To serve, add cubes to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until ice is flaked and softer. Pour into chilled glasses and serve.

Follow Us

Uncommon Thinkers: Jane Park

Uncommon Thinkers: Jane Park

Founder and CEO, Tokki

When Jane Park goes on business development missions for her reusable gift wrap product company, the very mention of the word “Seattle” immediately opens doors. #UncommonThinkersWelcome

Uncommon Thinkers Welcome

Uncommon Thinkers Welcome

Seattle's Korean American innovators are shaping communities and forging global connections

In partnership with Greater Seattle Partners, Seattle magazine is honored to recognize our region’s boldest “Uncommon Thinkers” — the inventors, artists, leaders, and entrepreneurs who are transforming communities and driving positive change throughout the world. #UncommonThinkersWelcome

Fave Five: Skate, Drink, Walk, Shop

Fave Five: Skate, Drink, Walk, Shop

The holidays are over. Reward yourself.

CONGRATULATIONS! You’ve survived the holiday season and landed safely in the new year. If you feel that pesky impulse to make a list of self-improvement resolutions, ignore it. You’re wonderful. Instead, here are five ways to enjoy the start of 2024 and perhaps find a sense of renewal without doing a seven-day cleanse or cutting

Shop Seattle 2023

Shop Seattle 2023

Seattle Magazine's Holiday Gift Guide: A curated selection of fun gifts from small businesses

As we jump into the holidays, take a walk with me through the city of Seattle and beyond to find the best local shops for perfect holiday gifts. Whether you’re searching for a family member, friend, or co-worker, there’s no shortage of great gifts in our beautiful city. Treats Who doesn’t love sweets? Let’s tackle…