Refreshing Sake Serves for Singapore's Heat
Singapore's heat is relentless — and that calls for drinks that are genuinely, deeply refreshing. Premium sake, served the right way, is one of the most refreshing beverages you can reach for. Here's how to make the most of it when the temperature climbs.
Why Sake Is Perfect for Hot Weather
Chilled sake has a clean, crisp quality that's incredibly thirst-quenching. Unlike beer, it doesn't fill you up. Unlike wine, it doesn't have the heavy tannins or high acidity that can feel cloying in the heat. And unlike spirits, it's smooth enough to sip slowly and savour.
Served at 8–12°C, a premium Daiginjo sake is one of the most elegant hot-weather drinks imaginable.
The Serves
The Classic Chilled Pour
The simplest and best. Take your Laugh with SAKE Junmai Daiginjo 35 Zuiun or Junmai Daiginjo 40 straight from the fridge, pour into a chilled wine glass, and enjoy. No ice, no mixer — just pure, cold, elegant sake. This is the serve that converts people.
Sake on the Rocks
For a longer, more casual drink, pour the Laugh with SAKE DRY Tanrei Akahyotan over a large ice cube in a rocks glass. The dry, crisp profile holds up beautifully over ice, and the slow dilution actually opens up the flavour as you drink. Perfect for a long afternoon on the balcony.
Yuzu Spritz
Mix 60ml of Yuzu Liqueur Kuramoto no Yuzu with 120ml of chilled sparkling water over ice. Add a slice of lemon. This is the ultimate Singapore summer drink — light, citrusy, and endlessly refreshing. It's also lower in alcohol than most cocktails, making it ideal for long sessions.
Nigori Shake
Give the Laugh with SAKE Namachozoshu Nigori Sake a gentle shake, pour over crushed ice, and garnish with a slice of fresh mango or pineapple. The creamy, slightly sweet Nigori takes on an almost tropical character when served this way — it's a brilliant hot-weather treat.
Bankan Soda
Pour 45ml of Bankan Liqueur Kuramoto no Bankan over ice and top with chilled soda water. The tropical, aromatic bankan citrus is incredibly refreshing on a hot day — think of it as a sophisticated alternative to a fruit juice.
Chilling Tips
- Chill your glasses — pop them in the freezer for 10 minutes before serving for an extra-cold experience
- Use large ice cubes for on-the-rocks serves — they melt more slowly and dilute less
- Keep opened bottles in the fridge — sake is best consumed within a few days of opening, stored cold
- Don't over-chill — below 5°C can mute the aromas of premium Daiginjo sakes. 8–12°C is the sweet spot
Browse the Premium Pour range and stock your fridge for the season.