Umeshu, a popular fruit wine in Japan, is made by steeping green plums in rock sugar and alcohol. It's known for its potential health benefits, such as relieving fatigue and enhancing beauty. With over 1,000 varieties crafted from different alcohols like shochu, sake, and whisky, there's an umeshu for every taste. From homemade brews to commercial brands, the options are endless. In this article, we'll delve into the basics of umeshu, including its different types, ways to enjoy it, and our top seven recommendations.
Contents
- Umeshu—a summer staple
- Umeshu varieties
- How to order umeshu at an izakaya bar
- 7 best umeshu based on popularity rankings in Japan
- Try authentic umeshu at these Tokyo bars
- Taste umeshu during this sake brewery tour in Hyogo Prefecture
- Savor the complexity of Japanese umeshu
Umeshu—a summer staple
With its distinctive sweet and sour aftertaste, umeshu is a popular choice for both its delightful taste and numerous health benefits. Renowned for its ability to alleviate fatigue, enhance beauty, and prevent anemia, umeshu is especially favored by women. Its refreshing taste, perfect for sipping over ice or mixing with sparkling water, makes it an ideal beverage for hot summer days.
Traditionally made by soaking green plums, harvested in early summer, in alcohol and rock sugar, umeshu is relatively easy to make at home. By adjusting the ingredients and proportions, you can create a diverse range of flavors and aromas.
Umeshu varieties
The flavor of umeshu can vary greatly depending on the type of base alcohol used. The most common base is white liquor, a clear, neutral spirit, which allows the sweet and sour flavors of the plums to shine through. This makes it an excellent choice for those who are not fond of alcohol.
Umeshu made with shochu, sake, or brandy offers a more complex flavor profile, as the unique characteristics of these base alcohols infuse into the final product. The steeping process helps mellow the strong flavors of these base spirits, resulting in a smoother taste.
Some umeshu varieties use brown sugar instead of regular rock sugar, giving the final product a darker color and a richer, more complex flavor. However, these varieties are often less sweet compared to those made with rock sugar. Nigori umeshu contains crushed plums, giving it a cloudy appearance and a fruit-juice-like consistency. Other variations include umeshu infused with fruits like orange and lemon or with added ingredients such as tea, yogurt, or chili peppers.
What is honkaku (authentic) umeshu?
Honkaku (authentic) umeshu is a term established by the Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association (JSLMA) to differentiate it from other types of umeshu. It refers to plum wine made exclusively from plums, sugar, and alcohol. Honkaku umeshu cannot contain added acids, coloring agents, or flavorings. If you want a plum wine that truly highlights the natural flavor of the plums, look for the honkaku umeshu (本格梅酒) label.
How to order umeshu at an izakaya bar
Commercial umeshu usually has an alcohol content of 8 to 15 percent, similar to wine. Many varieties are quite sweet, so they are often diluted with ice or sparkling water. At an izakaya bar, you can choose different serving styles, such as on the rocks (over ice) or with sparkling water.
Umeshu, made with white liquor, is especially versatile and can be enjoyed on the rocks, with sparkling water, or even mixed with green tea. For umeshu made with shochu, sake, or brandy, it's best served on the rocks or with sparkling water to best appreciate the flavors of the plum.
Some establishments offer a drink called umeshu sour, which is typically made with a clear, odorless spirit and mixed with sparkling water, while ume (plum) extract is often used instead of umeshu. Some izakaya also offer unique ways to enjoy umeshu, such as with juice. If you’re unsure about the best way to drink it, don’t hesitate to ask the staff for their recommendations.
7 best umeshu based on popularity rankings in Japan
It is said that over 1,000 brands of umeshu are produced by Japanese manufacturers. Read on to find the most popular options from this extensive selection, ranging from traditional methods to those incorporating red shiso (perilla) or aged in whisky barrels.
The Choya Single Year (honkaku umeshu)
Choya was the first company to begin full-scale production of umeshu, a liquor previously considered a homemade beverage, in 1959. Today, they remain a leading producer of umeshu.
The Honkaku Umeshu The Choya series represents the pinnacle of their umeshu production. Choya collaborates with plum farmers to cultivate high-quality plums for umeshu, using reduced pesticide and organic farming methods. The series exclusively uses Nanko-ume plums, a premium variety primarily grown in Wakayama Prefecture.
The Choya Single Year, aged for one year, is noted for its floral aroma, crisp acidity, and elegant sweetness. Despite its rich flavor, it pairs well with a wide range of dishes, including delicate Japanese cuisine.
Find more varieties of Choya umeshu here
Oimatsu Brewing's Enma Umeshu (honkaku umeshu)
Oimatsu Brewing, established in 1789, is known for its barley shochu, sake, and liqueurs. Their honkaku umeshu, Enma Umeshu is a premium plum wine made with the base spirit from their popular Enma barley shochu series.
Primarily using plums from Oita Prefecture, where the brewery is located, along with other suitable plums from Kyushu, this umeshu is aged for about two years. It offers a refreshing taste with a distinct plum flavor.
Winning first place in the liqueur category at the National Liquor Competition, this umeshu is highly regarded. It can be enjoyed on the rocks, with sparkling water, or chilled neat, and also makes an excellent base for co*cktails.
Oimatsu Brewing's Tenku no Tsuki (jukusei aged umeshu)
Aged to perfection, Tenku no Tsuki is a premium plum wine from Oimatsu Brewing, the maker of the acclaimed Enma Umeshu. Crafted with aged barley shochu and traditional techniques, this umeshu has been awarded a gold award in the Monde Selection international food awards. Its rich aroma and crisp, dry taste make it a delightful choice whether served chilled or on the rocks.
Godo Shusei’s Tantakatan no Umeshu
Tantakatan no Umeshu is a plum wine made with organically grown Hokkaido red shiso (perilla) and contains no added flavors or colors. Red shiso, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, is rich in vitamins B1, B2, C, and E, as well as iron and calcium.
It is believed to offer various health benefits, including fatigue recovery, cold prevention, improved digestion, and better blood circulation. The vibrant ruby color of Tantakatan no Umeshu comes from the red shiso, and it provides a refreshing perilla flavor with every sip. It can be enjoyed on the rocks, with sparkling water, or in unique ways such as frozen or mixed with yogurt.
Suntory’s barrel-aged plum liqueur from Yamazaki Distillery
The barrel-aged plum liqueur from Yamazaki Distillery is a distinctive plum wine produced by Suntory, a major Japanese beverage company renowned for its spirits, beer, and soft drinks. This particular umeshu undergoes a unique aging process in whisky barrels at the historic Yamazaki Distillery, Japan's first malt whisky distillery.
Leveraging its expertise in whisky aging, Suntory pioneered the concept of aging umeshu in barrels, a novel approach in Japanese sake-making. Traditionally, whisky is aged in barrels that previously held sherry or bourbon, imparting distinctive flavors. Inspired by this practice, Suntory introduced the Yamazaki plum wine series.
The harmonious blend of whisky and umeshu flavors has been well-received, making this series a limited-edition staple. In the barrel-aged plum liqueur from Yamazaki Distillery, the plum wine is aged in barrels that have been roasted after being used for whisky maturation, imparting the astringency, mellow flavor, and matured aroma, characteristic of whisky barrel aging.
Hakutsuru Brewery’s Hakutsuru Genshu Umeshu
Hakutsuru Brewery is one of the prominent sake manufacturers in the Nada region of Hyogo Prefecture, which has a long-standing tradition of sake production. Hakutsuru Genshu Umeshu is crafted using hand-picked, plump Nanko-ume plums only. After a meticulous selection process, the plums are steeped and aged for about a year.
This carefully crafted umeshu is characterized by its rich aroma and full-bodied flavor, making it ideal for enjoying on the rocks, or with hot or cold water. It has consistently won gold awards in the Monde Selection for over a decade.
Kobori Sake Brewery’s Manzairaku Kaga Umeshu
Kobori Sake Brewery, located in Ishikawa Prefecture, is a traditional sake brewery established in 1716. Their Manzairaku Kaga Umeshu is made from Benisashi ume plums, a variety native to Ishikawa Prefecture in the Hokuriku Region. Although challenging to cultivate, these plums are renowned for their higher amino acid content compared to popular varieties like Nanko-ume, resulting in a mellow and smooth flavor. Grown without chemical fertilizers and harvested by hand, the plums are carefully washed with natural water.
The plum wine is crafted using traditional methods and aged for about two years to achieve the perfect balance of flavors. This exceptional plum wine has not only topped national rankings but has also been served in first-class cabins of international flights and at Nobel Prize award ceremonies.
Buy Kobori Sake Brewery’s Manzairaku Kaga Umeshu here
Try authentic umeshu at these Tokyo bars
Umeshu is a very popular fruit liqueur that can be found in almost any typical izakaya bar. Here are some places where you can enjoy various kinds of umeshu along with food, or even create your own blends, allowing you to choose the type that best suits your preferences.
Tokyo Shochu & Umeshu Bar "Gen & Material" offers all-you-can-drink umeshu
As the name suggests, Tokyo Shochu & Umeshu Bar "Gen & Material" is a dining bar with an extensive selection of over 5,000 shochu and 1,000 umeshu varieties. Located in the city’s trendy Shibuya district, the store is always bustling due to its wide range of drinks, delicious food, and reasonable prices.
If you're looking to try various umeshu, opt for the all-you-can-drink plan featuring 100 types of umeshu. Reservations must be made a day in advance, and you can choose between a two-hour or three-hour course at a great price. In addition to the refreshing Wakayama oden (fish cake stew) made with plum vinegar, you can also enjoy dishes from various regions of Japan.
Tokyo Shochu & Umeshu Bar "Gen & Material"
Address: Aoyama Bldg. B1F, 2-9-10 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Official website: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1303/A130301/13024355/ (in Japanese only)
Sake Market Shinjuku offers all-you-can-drink umeshu, fruit liquors, and more
Located in Shinjuku, Sake Market is a liquor store featuring an all-you-can-drink plan of 100 different plum wines, fruit liquors, sake, and shochu. The atmosphere is laid-back, but the store is serious about its selection, sourcing all beverages directly from breweries.
Customers can choose between 30-minute, 90-minute, or unlimited drinking time options. The unique system allows you to select their favorite drinks from the refrigerator and create custom beverages by mixing them with soft drinks, and other ingredients. Guests are welcome to bring their own food, or prepare it on the spot, catering to the homey atmosphere.
Sake Market Shinjuku
Address: Shinjuku Watasei Tama Building 6F, 3-9-9 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Official website: https://sakemarket.tokyo/shinjuku
Taste umeshu during this sake brewery tour in Hyogo Prefecture
For a true taste of authentic umeshu, visit this historic sake brewery in Hyogo Prefecture, which has been in business since 1702. Discover the art of sake brewing, explore the rich traditions that the brewery has upheld over the centuries, and learn how it has evolved through the years.
While there, you can sample aged and unpasteurized sake, as well as their unique umeshu plum wine made with the brewery's signature sake. Plus, create your own custom sake bottle label for a one-of-a-kind souvenir.
Book the brewery tour and tasting here
Savor the complexity of Japanese umeshu
Umeshu is a versatile Japanese liquor enjoyed in various ways—neat, on the rocks, or mixed with sparkling water. Its flavor varies with the type of plum and brewing method. If you've avoided umeshu thinking it's too sweet, you might be surprised by the drier options available. There are also unique varieties made with shochu, sake, whisky, or even yogurt, perfect for a dessert-like experience. When visiting Japan, be sure to sample different umeshu. Its sweet and sour taste is great for unwinding after a long day, leaving you refreshed the next morning. Just remember to drink responsibly and enjoy.
Find more umeshu plum wine here
*The information in this article, such as prices and business hours, was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Please refer to the official website(s) for the latest information.
*Consuming alcohol under the age of 20 is prohibited by Japanese law, and these regulations also apply to international visitors and foreign residents in Japan. Please enjoy alcohol responsibly and don’t drive after drinking. Please also check the alcohol import allowance of your country before bringing them back into your country.
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