Shochu Cocktail Recipe: What’s Up, Doc?

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4.89 from 9 votes

What’s Up Doc? Cocktail

A Japanese shochu take on the popular New York cocktail featuring carrot juice and ginger. Our version features barrel-aged Nankai Gold, fresh carrot juice, and homemade ginger syrup.

Prep Time1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Cook Time3 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 13 minutes mins

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Cocktail

Keyword: barrel-aged, carrot juice, ginger ale, ginger syrup, lemon juice, nankai gold, nutmeg, Shochu cocktail, simple syrup

Servings: 1

Calories: 140kcal

Equipment

• Cocktail Shaker

Ingredients

Cocktail

• 1.5 oz Nankai Gold
• 1 oz Fresh Carrot Juice
• 0.5 oz Lemon Juice
• 0.5 oz Ginger Syrup
• 1 pinch Nutmeg

Ginger Syrup

• 1 cup Water
• 1 cup Raw Sugar Kokuto Sugar recommended
• 0.5 cup Freshly Grated Ginger

Instructions

Ginger Syrup

• Combine water, sugar, and ginger in a pot.
• Bring to boil and then simmer for 15 min.
• Let cool and infuse for 1 hour.

Cocktail

• Combine Nankai, carrot juice, lemon juice, and ginger syrup in cocktail shaker.
• Add ice and shake.
• Strain into rocks glass with large ice cube.
• Garnish with nutmeg and serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 3.5oz | Calories: 140kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Potassium: 98mg | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 900IU | Vitamin C: 11.7mg

If you’re looking for a decadent way to increase your veggie intake, look no further than the What’s Up Doc cocktail, made with Nankai Gold barrel-finished shochu. This autumn-winter cocktail features fresh carrot juice, lemon, a homemade ginger syrup, and a dash of nutmeg. You’ll discover that the fresh sweetness from the juice, the tart of the lemon, and the spice of ginger with nutmeg is perfect with Nankai Gold’s umami notes.

The Wayland in New York created the popular What’s Up Doc cocktail in 2014. Soon after, mixologists all over the city created versions of this carrot juice cocktail with a variety of spirits. “What’s Up, Doc?” is, of course, the infamous greeting of Bugs Bunny.

The original What’s Up Doc contained gin, ginger liqueur, and carrot juice. To match Nankai Gold’s complex notes, we used fresh carrot juice, a homemade ginger syrup, lemon, and nutmeg. The result is refreshing, well-balanced cocktail, and frankly, it feels like a healthy choice. (Note: we know veggie-based cocktails aren’t healthier than actually eating vegetables. But we can fantasize, no?)

If you’re looking for a bottle of Nankai Gold, whether to make this cocktail or try on its own, you can find online and local retailers here.

Related cocktails:

• Peach Shochu Smash
• Nankai Margherita