ENJOY SAKE! Atsu-kan (Hot Sake)

Return to all

– February 1, 2021 –

Across the world, alcoholic beverages are most commonly served chilled or at room temperature. In Japan, Atsu-kan or hot sake, is just as popular as Hiya or cold sake. In fact, Atsu-kan is more popular than Hiya during winter months.

Atsu-kan and Hiya are used as general terminology for hot and cold sake. Some sake drinkers classify options in more detailed ways in terms of temperature. The following is an example of sake temperature names.

Temperature (F) Name
HOT 130 Tobikiri-kan
120 Atsu-kan
110 Jou-kan
WARM 105 Nuru-kan
95 Hitohada-kan
85 Hinata-kan
ROOM TEMP 70 Hiya
CHILLED 60 Suzu-bie
50 Hana-bie
40 Yuki-bie

We use an Atsu-kan machine at Shiro’s, but you can make Atsu-kan at home using a microwave.

Instructions

  1. Fill 6oz of sake in a microwave-safe decanter or bottle, then cover the top with plastic wrap.
  2. Set the microwave to medium level (600W) and warm it for 40 seconds.
  3. Remove from the microwave and stir sake to a uniform temperature in the decanter. This should warm the sake to about 105F.
  4. Remove from the microwave and stir sake to a uniform temperature in the decanter. This should warm the sake to about 105F.

For you to enjoy Atsu-kan at home, we are preparing a new hot sake set ($37) to go on sale in mid-February. It comes with a 10oz hot sake decanter, 2 Shiro’s hot sake cups and 10oz Shirakabegura, which we use for our hot sake at Shiro’s. We hope this hot sake warms you up this winter!