Shochu Cocktail Recipe: Yuzu Pop

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4.57 from 30 votes

Yuzu Pop aka Amami Mule

Yuzu Pop is our take on the Moscow Mule.  We use Nankai Shochu, Ginger Ale, and Yuzu for a refreshing, subtly sweet, and tart cocktail.  Nankai Shochu is naturally sugar/carb/gluten free and only 40 calories per ounce. For a keto-friendly version, use Diet Ginger Ale for a sugar-free 80-calorie cocktail.

Prep Time1 minute min

Cook Time1 minute min

Total Time2 minutes mins

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Cocktail

Keyword: ginger ale, highball, mule, nankai shochu, shochu, Shochu cocktail, yuzu

Servings: 1

Calories: 127kcal

Author: Nankai

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Nankai Shochu
• 4 oz. Ginger Ale Can also use ginger beer
• 2-4 dashes Yuzu Juice

Instructions

• Combine Nankai Shochu and Ginger Ale in a glass with ice.
• Add 2-4 dashes (or more to your liking) of yuzu juice
• Stir and serve.

Video

Notes

PRO-TIP: For a party with 10-12 servings, use a large pitcher and combine the entire 750ml bottle of Nankai Shochu with 3/4 of a 2-liter bottle of Canada Dry Ginger Ale. Slice up fresh meyer lemons (in lieu of fresh yuzu or 25 dashes of yuzu juice) and add to the cocktail for a refreshing party cocktail.)

Nutrition

Serving: 6oz | Calories: 127kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Sugar: 11g

When Nankai Shochu first launched in 2018, Yuzu Pop was one of our first shochu cocktails, and it remains one of our most popular. Co-founder Mai thought of the cocktail (including its name) one night as we experimented in our kitchen. The concept was simple but incredibly effective– take the Moscow Mule and make a Japanese version of the cocktail. This is why we sometimes refer to this cocktail as a Japanese Mule, Amami Mule, or Shochu Mule.

Yuzu Pop first launched at Shin-sen-gumi Restaurant in Gardena, CA, and it quickly established itself as one of their best sellers. The owner of Shin-sen-gumi is from Amami Oshima, where we make Nankai and where co-founder Mai was raised. Initially we had trouble convincing traditional Japanese restaurants to carry a pricier shochu, so that connection was key.

Yuzu Pop was easy to make, paired incredibly well with food, and showcased Nankai Shochu’s compatibility with mixers. The third point was especially important. Yuzu Pop with Nankai had to taste better than a version made with other shochu.

Yuzu Pop = Japanese Moscow Mule

A Moscow Mule is a simple cocktail made from vodka, ginger beer, and lime whereas Yuzu Pop is made from Nankai Shochu (fewer calories), ginger ale (less sugar), and yuzu juice. Nankai Shochu has 40 calories per ounce compared to vodka’s 60 calories. Ginger ale has 32g of sugar versus 40g with ginger beer. Yuzu is incredibly aromatic and a little bit goes a long way. The result is a delicious cocktail that has fewer calories and less sugar than a traditional Moscow Mule.