From whisky to gin and vodka, Asian drinks are exploding in popularity right now.
The reason? It’s thanks in large part to an increasing number of Asian restaurants and bars across the UK, as well as ever-more adventurous palates.
Despite shōchū and baijiu being hugely popular in Asia – in fact, the latter is so popular in China it outsells all other spirits across the world – consumers in Britain are only just starting to explore and enjoy these spirits, most notably among Gen Z.
What makes Asian spirits so special?
Alia Jamal, founder of drinks PR agency doubleshot, explains: “The rich cultural heritage and centuries-old traditions embedded in Asian spirits add an aura of mystique and authenticity. Whether it's the craftsmanship of Japanese whisky, the techniques behind Chinese baijiu or the botanicals in Korean soju, each spirit tells a story of its origin, reflecting the unique landscapes, climates and customs of their homelands. This narrative-rich aspect resonates deeply with enthusiasts seeking not just a drink, but an experience steeped in history and tradition.”
Jamal continues: “Secondly, the relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation within the Asian spirits industry has resulted in a wave of exceptional products that rival – and often surpass – their Western counterparts. From meticulously aged single malts to avant-garde flavour profiles, Asian distillers have demonstrated a remarkable ability to push boundaries and redefine standards, garnering acclaim on the global stage.
This relentless dedication to quality and innovation has undoubtedly contributed to the rising popularity of Asian spirits, attracting discerning drinkers eager to explore new frontiers and savour the fruits of artisanal craftsmanship.”
Billy Abbott, ambassador for The Whisky Exchange, which offers the global delivery of fine whiskies and spirits, adds: “While people seem to focus on more Western-style drinks like beer and whisky when looking at Asia, there’s a huge range of drinks from across the region that are seldom seen in the UK.
Japan, China and Korea all produce unique spirits that embrace different flavours and ingredients to drinks made elsewhere in the world. In Japan, we find shōchū and awamori, produced from the far north of Hokkaido all the way south to the islands of Okinawa, where it’s thought that distilled spirits were introduced to the country in the 15th century.
China’s national spirit, baijiu, has a fearsome reputation and can command incredible prices, but more Western-focused products like Ming River offer a gateway into the world of Chinese spirits while not compromising on quality or intensity of flavour. And Korea makes JINRO soju, with more than 100 million cases sold every year, despite little of it leaving the country.”
Expats and travellers are adding to exotic spirits being found far from their home nations. “You can buy rượu đế, traditional Vietnamese rice spirit, made in Texas,” Abbott reveals. “The popularity of Asian spirits has often started from immigrant communities, but it has spread wider thanks to restaurants, adventurous bartenders and passionate advocates who have gone from trying something tasty on holiday to bringing bottles into their home country to further spread their love for these unique drinks.
With local markets often saturated, the producers are also looking further afield as they continue to expand. Fortunately, there are plenty of drinkers around the world ready to try new things and share them with their friends.”
Here are the best bottles bursting with Eastern promise - shop now
Ukiyo Japanese Blossom Gin
Blended from carefully sourced sakura blossom and native botanicals, Ukiyo is a floral and flavoursome gin distilled with a traditional Japanese rice spirit. It is full of gentle, elegant flavour and as a bonus the bottle looks pretty amazing on shelves and drinks trolleys too. Stir into a tonic or soda with ice and a slice.
There is also a yuzu, juniper and coriander version available.
Buy now £31.00, Amazon
Roku Japanese Gin
Meaning ‘the number six’ in Japanese, Roku is infused with six native botanicals for fresh and clean aromas with flavours of floral cherry blossom and earthy green tea. Why not serve it as an Asian twist on a classic G&T for something a bit different?
Buy now £25.00, Amazon
Etsu Pacific Ocean Water Japanese Gin
Capturing the essence of Japan’s coastline, this gin hails from the Asahikawa Distillery in Hokkaido and is made from sea water and botanicals such as juniper berries, liquorice, bitter orange and coriander. A real conversation-starter with a beautiful bottle to boot.
Buy now £45.85, Amazon
Haku Vodka
This posh rice vodka from Japan is smooth enough to serve neat or on the rocks but works equally well mixed with vermouth for the perfect vodka martini. It’s triple-distilled and filtered through bamboo charcoal to create a seriously mellow sip.
Buy now £29.52, Amazon
Akashi Japanese Blended Whisky
Akashi comes from its namesake distillery in the south of Japan – the first in the country to be granted an official whisky distillation license in 1919, no less – and comprises a blend of malted barley and grain that’s matured in American oak casks for five years. The resulting whisky is fresh and spicy with distinctive fruity aromas.
Buy now £29.00, Amazon
Nikka Whisky From The Barrel
Bottled directly from recasked barrels, Nikka is bursting with flavours of boiled sweets and orange peel with spicy oak and apricot aromas. Distiller Mastaka Taketsuru – largely known as ‘the godfather of Japanese whisky’ – combines Scottish blending techniques with Japanese precision and balance to create a bottle with a sublime sip.
Buy now £40.45, Amazon
Kiyomi Japanese Rum
“A Japanese rum?” we hear you cry. Yes, a Japanese rum – and it’s bloody good. Made at Helios Distillery in Okinawa, Japan, using local molasses, Kiyomi is a cocktail-friendly spirit with subtle notes of pineapple and white chocolate. Perfect mixed into a different kind of daiquiri or mojito.
Buy now £47.22, Master of Malt
Le Tomato Liqueur
Made in Okinawa, this savoury liqueur adds a subtle tomato flavour to classic cocktails, while it’s perfectly enjoyable supped as a shot, too. Pop it in the centre of the table after dinner for a talking point at a party.
Buy now £34.88, Whisky Exchange
Samurai Junmai Daiginjo Sake
Produced from rice at the Asahikawa Distillery in Hokkaido, Samurai is a versatile sake featuring dry and umami flavours. It’s round and harmonious on the palate with sourdough notes on the nose. Enjoy it hot, cold or on ice – or with soda and lime juice. Great with sushi.
Buy now £15.50, Amathus drinks
Kohaku No Madoromi
This shochu, a Japanese spirit, comes from the Kurume Distillery in Kyushu and is distilled with sweet potatoes and rice fermented with black koji. The resulting drink is light-golden in colour with spicy aromas and a rich, velvety texture rounded off by sweet, complex flavours.
Buy now £36.95, Master of Malt
Crazy Gin Punjabi Chai Gin 500ml
The small-batch gin is the result of blending British and Indian cultures. As its name reveals, it's spicy with hints of coconut cream black tea and pepper making it a great option for shaking up a typical G&T.
Buy now £42.95, Amazon
Baijiu
Enjoyed in China for more than 4,000 years, baijiu is a clear spirit typically distilled from water, sorghum – a flowering plant – and grains such as wheat or barley. This premium take comes from a prestigious producer in the Guizhou province and is aged in earthenware pots for an understated but complex flavour. Fresh and light with sweet notes of apple and pear.
Buy now £60.00, Selfridges
Fenjiu
Beautiful jade green bottle aside this 20-year-old baijiu (the most popular spirit in China) is steeped in bamboo leaves and 11 other top-secret herbs for 21 days. The resulting drink is soft on the palate with flavours of blossom, honey, citrus, vanilla and ginger. Sip on the rocks or combined in a flute with Champagne. A corker for celebrations.
Buy now £90.00, Harvey Nichols
Dewazakura Shuzo, Oka, Ginjo, Yamagata Prefecture, Sake
A truly top-shelf sake from Berry Bros. & Rudd, the esteemed London wine and spirit merchant that has just announced its move into the sake sphere following its surge in popularity in the UK, this bottle is floral, light-bodied and dry. Sure to convert even sceptics.
Buy now £14.76, The Whisky Exchange
Rampur Asava Indian Single Malt Whisky
Matured in ex-bourbon casks and former-Cabernet Sauvignon casks, Rampur's 45 per cent ABV single malt is rich and sweet with notes of lychee, honeysuckle and marmalade mixed with cinnamon, clove and black pepper. It's a smoky yet smooth serve with its stint in wine casks imbuing it with a unique flavour.
Buy now £68.75, The Whisky Exchange
Amrut Fusion
A meeting of nations lays waiting in Amrut's fusion bottle, with Indian barley as well as Scottish peat barley used in its creation. It's a bartender favourite, picking up awards since it launched in 2009. Expect rich, fruity notes of orange, peach and mango with cinnamon and black pepper for balance.
Buy now £62.95, The Whisky Exchange
Kamet Indian Single Malt Whisky
Beautifully presented, this is a lovely whiskey to give someone who fancies themselves a connoisseur. Fruity and spicey, Kamet comes from the shadows of the Himalayas (the name refers to Mt. Kamet, the country's third-highest peak). The single malt is an intrigue, with raisins, golden sultanas, dried apricots, oak, vanilla, caramel and milk chocolate treating tastebuds.
Buy now £54.95, The Whisky Exchange
Akashi Tai Ginjo Yuzushu Sake
Akashi Tai's Ginjo Yuzushu Sake is light and citrusy, a fragrant, premium bottle that deserves to be enjoyed slowly without interruptions. It's a little more flavourful than the standard bottle, incorporating macerated yuzu fruit while brewing to give it a little extra sparkle.
Sweet and zesty, you'll love this sake most in cocktails, letting its fruitier side come to life. Its stronger flavour means you'll want to pair this sake with just as strong-flavoured foods: it'll overshadow any mild flavours.
Buy now £25.49, Master of Malt
Desi Daru No.2 Mango Vodka
Using the Hindi word for booze, this fun vodka has been made with a blend of English and Indian ingredients, making it fitting for celebrating both nations. It's spiked with Indian Alphonso mangoes, widely considered the best variety, for a delicious spirit that's very hard to resist.
Buy now £45.00, Harvey Nichols
