3 Asian-Inspired Fall Cocktails

One of my least favorite things when I’m browsing for new recipes online is scrolling through an author’s 5-page essay about their life story.

Maybe I’m impatient, maybe I’m just hungry, but regardless, I’ll be sure to keep this one short.

It’s fall. If you live in other parts of the country, that might actually mean something. If you’re based in Southern California, however, all that means is allergies and maybe even second summer. But as the temps start to dip to a frigid 68 degrees, what better way to get into the ~autumnal spirit~ than with spirits! I mean, alcohol! Here are three Asian-inspired fall cocktail recipes for you to try for your next happy hour to celebrate not seeing your friends for a year and a half. Enjoy!

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Ginger Highball with Suntory Toki Whisky

For the whiskey drinkers + Suntory lovers, this classy lil number is for you.

What you'll need:

• 1.5 oz Toki Suntory Toki Whisky
• 3.5 oz ginger beer
• Soda water to taste
• 1 dash Angostura bitters
• Orange peel to garnish (optional)

How to make it:

1. Fill a glass of your choice with ice
2. Pour ginger beer into the glass. Add soda water, leaving room at the top
3. Add whisky and bitters
4. Stir and add optional garnish

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Grape Yakult Fizz

A beaut! Embracing our inner Lara Jean Covey with this "Korean yogurt smoothie" inspired recipe.

‍What you'll need:

• 3 oz soju (any flavor works - I like the grape or grapefruit flavor here)
• 3 oz Yakult (about 1 small bottle)
• 3-4 oz soda of your choice (I used grape soda with a bit of blackberry simple syrup for the color, but you can use lemon lime, orange, etc. - feel free to get creative!)
• Fruit to garnish (optional)

How to make it:

1. Fill a glass of your choice with ice
2. Pour in the soju, add the Yakult, and layer in the soda of choice
3. Add optional garnish

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Blackberry + Rosemary Sake Bramble

Sparkling sake, aromatic herb simple syrup, and a moody~ color scheme? Sign me up.

What you'll need:

• 2 oz blackberry + rosemary simple syrup (to make the syrup: ½ cup sugar, ½ cup water, 1 cup of blackberries, 2 sprigs of rosemary, 1 tsp lemon juice)
• 7-8 oz Mio sparkling sake
• ½ oz of lemon juice
• Blackberry and rosemary sprig for garnish (optional)

How to make it:

1. To make the blackberry + rosemary simple syrup, combine the ingredients in a sauce pan over medium/high heat. Bring to a boil, mash blackberries, let sit for 15 minutes, then strain
2. Pour the blackberry + rosemary simple syrup at the bottom of the glass
3. Add ice
4. Add the lemon juice
5. Carefully layer the Mio sparkling sake (add as much as desired to taste)
6. Add optional garnish