Shōchū

Shōchū is a typical Japanese alcoholic drink. It is usually around 25 - 37% alcohol. Shōchū is made often from barley, rice, sweet potato, buckwheat, and sugar cane. It is made in many places in Japan, but started in Kyūshū. People drink it mixed with cool or hot water, over ice, in cocktails, or straight. Shōchū is different from "nihonshu", or sake. Rice shōchū is made from sake by increasing the purity of alcohol. Shochu comes in a wide variety flavors according to ingredients.