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Cocktail History
The Far East Side is a modern cocktail that was created by bartender Kenta Goto at his establishment Bar Goto in New York City, New York. It’s a Japanese-inspired variation of the classic Southside that pairs a base of sake and tequila with floral elderflower liqueur, tart lemon, and herbal shiso leaves.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Sake: This is a beverage made in Japan with rice, water, yeast, and koji mold, which are brewed and fermented to develop a clean, slightly tangy flavor.
Tequila Blanco: This is a type of tequila made in Mexico with fermented blue agave and yeast, which are distilled and then left unaged to develop a bright, agave-forward flavor.
Elderflower Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with elderflower blossoms, distilled alcohol, water, and sugar, which are blended and infused to develop a light, floral flavor.
Lemon Juice: This is the liquid extracted from the flesh of ripe lemons that has a sweet, tangy flavor and light yellow color.
Shiso: This is an herb made from the leaves of the shiso plant that have a fresh, slightly minty flavor.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Boston Shaker: This is used to shake ingredients. I used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Hawthorne Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is shaken. I used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.
Paring Knife: This is used to cut ingredients. I used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.
Juicer: This is used to juice citrus. I used the ALEEHAI Manual Fruit Juicer.
Tasting Notes
This cocktail has the following flavor profile:
• Appearance: Pale green color
• Aroma: Sake and tequila
• Taste: Tangy citrus flavor laced with distinct sake, agave, and herbs
• Finish: Slightly floral elderflower
Kendall’s Take: “I haven’t had sake in many cocktails and wasn’t sure how it would pair with tequila. I ended up really liking the combo a fair bit. The Far East Side is definitely what I’d consider to be a warm weather drink, so I’d make another on a summer afternoon or maybe at a garden party where you don’t want your guests in a drunken stupor by the early afternoon.”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from Session Cocktails: Low-Alcohol Drinks for Any Occasion by Drew Lazor.
Far East Side
Description
The Far East Side is a modern cocktail that was created by bartender Kenta Goto at his establishment Bar Goto in New York City, New York. It's a Japanese-inspired variation of the classic Southside that pairs a base of sake and tequila with floral elderflower liqueur, tart lemon, and herbal shiso leaves.
Ingredients
Method
Add three shiso leaves, sake, tequila, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice to a mixing glass.
Using a muddler, gently muddle shiso leaves in sake, tequila, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice for 5-7 seconds.
Fill mixing glass with cubed ice.
Using a bar spoon, stir for 30-45 seconds until well-chilled and slightly diluted.
Using a julep and fine mesh strainer, strain into a coupe glass.
Garnish with remaining shiso leaf.
