Kawatsuru - Zenigata Cup

Small cup sake from Shikoku, made for exactly this kind of situation. Dry and clean enough to cut through fried or salty izakaya food without asking anything of the drinker.

Kawatsuru is a brewery in Kanonji City on Shikoku, in Kagawa Prefecture, with a history going back to 1891. The Zenigata Cup is named after the sand drawing of a giant coin on nearby Kotohiki Beach. This is a Junmai sake, brewed with only rice, water, koji and yeast and no added distilled alcohol.

It is made with Omachi rice, a heritage variety that gives earthy, full-bodied sake with some textural weight. The cup is a small ceramic vessel sealed with a foil lid, a Japanese tradition found at train stations, convenience stores and festivals. It holds 180 ml, one traditional go of sake.

It is served at room temperature or gently warmed.