Yuzu Saketini

A citrusy, color-changing cocktail for when science meets celebration

We’re diving into Japanese flavors this week, and what better way to kick things off than with a little kitchen magic? My sister-in-law, who adores all things Japanese (and Korean!), came up for a visit recently. Since it was also her birthday, we threw her a celebration in her favorite colors—black and purple. Naturally, I had to make a drink that fit the theme and felt festive enough for the occasion. Enter: the Yuzu Saketini.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

🧪 It’s a showstopper! The color-changing butterfly pea syrup makes it a fun conversation starter.
🍋 Light and citrusy—less tart than your classic lemon drop.
🍶 Uses nigori sake instead of vodka for a creamier, more delicate sip.
👩‍🍳 Fun to make with kids (yuzu-ade, anyone?) or with friends for a unique happy hour at home.

Ingredient Spotlight: Yuzu

Yuzu is a Japanese citrus that tastes like a delicate blend of grapefruit, lemon, and mandarin. It’s less sharp than lemon, which makes it perfect for cocktails—it adds brightness without overpowering the other flavors.

Let’s Talk Butterfly Pea

Butterfly pea powder, made from dried butterfly pea flowers, naturally turns liquids blue. Add acidity (like yuzu or lemon), and it magically shifts to purple or magenta! It’s a fun way to add drama to drinks without food coloring.

Equipment Needed

Small saucepan (for making syrup)
Fine mesh strainer
Cocktail shaker
Martini glass (or your favorite fancy glass)
Measuring spoons and cups
Stirring spoon
Optional: citrus zester for garnish, small plate for sugar rim

Yuzu Saketini Recipe

A fun photography experiment with a small light on the bottom of the glass, creating a halo. My husband says it looks like a planet.

Yield: 1 drink
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Cooling Time: 6–8 hours (for syrup)

Ingredients

Saketini Potion:

3 oz nigori sake
2 oz yuzu juice
½ oz butterfly pea simple syrup (recipe below)
Ice
Sugar for the rim (black sugar if you’re feeling fancy)

Butterfly Pea Simple Syrup:

2 tsp butterfly pea powder
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
Lemon twist

Instructions

Make the Simple Syrup:
In a small saucepan, combine water, sugar, butterfly pea powder, and lemon twist. Bring to a gentle boil and stir until the sugar fully dissolves. Remove from heat, discard the lemon twist, and strain the syrup. Let cool and store in the refrigerator for 6–8 hours or until chilled.

Assemble the Drink:
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake together the sake and yuzu juice. Strain into a sugar-rimmed martini glass. Slowly pour in the butterfly pea syrup and watch the magic unfold—your drink will transform from blue to a gorgeous magenta hue. Cheers!

Tips & Variations

No nigori sake? You can sub with regular sake—even flavored ones!
Want it sweeter? Add an extra splash of syrup to taste.
Try different citrus! Swap the yuzu for Meyer lemon, lime, or even calamansi for a twist. Each one brings its own bright personality to the glass.
Make it a mocktail: Sub sake with sparkling water or tonic for a fizzy, yuzu-inspired mocktail the kids will love.
Garnish ideas: Edible flowers, lemon peel twists, or a purple sugar rim for added flair.

A Little Kitchen Science

Watching the drinks shift from milky pale to blue to vibrant magenta was such a fun moment in the kitchen. It turned into an unexpected science lesson for the kids—and a memory I’ll always treasure. That’s the magic of food: it brings people together, invites joy, and sometimes, a little wonder.