Japanese Whisky 101

California Live’s Malou Nubla tastes her way through the basics of Japanese Whisky. She joins the General Manager of the Tetra Hotel in Sunnyvale, Mike Lerman, to learn the ins and outs, and dos and don’ts while enjoying the Japanese spirit. Mike shares his tips for making a Green Tea Highball at home and perfectly pairing it with a delicious dish. Learn how to host an at-home Japanese Whisky tasting and pairing. Find Nokori’s Green Tea Whisky Highball recipe below;

-Green Tea Whisky Highball
Toki Japanese Whisky, Sencha, Soda Water, Dehydrated Lemon Garnish or shiso or mint leaf

Fill a Collins/Highball glass with the following:

• Ice
• 1.5oz Japanese whisky. (Nokori uses Suntory Toki)
• .5oz green tea syrup (recipe follows)
• Top with ice cold soda water. (Nokori uses Topo Chico)
• Gently lift ice from bottom with bar spoon
• Top with shiso, mint leaf or dehydrated lemon garnish

-Green Tea Syrup

Green tea bag
1 Cup sugar
1 Cup honey

• Boil 1 cup filtered water in small saucepan then remove from heat
• Steep favorite green tea bag for 15 mins
• Return to medium high heat
• Stir in 1 cup preferred sugar and 1 cup honey
• Stir slowly over heat until dissolved
• Allow to chill before mixing
• Can be stored in refrigerator in airtight container up to one week