Following National Sake Week in May and six months after its debut here in the United Kingdom, Sake ONO is redefining how this increasingly popular Japanese drink is perceived, enjoyed and celebrated.
As it’s World Caviar Day today, 18th July, we thought that this modern luxury brand would pair particularly well with some luxury food, such as caviar.
Sake ONO blends centuries-old Japanese brewing traditions with a forward-thinking, modern approach. Its launch expression and flagship Junmai Daiginjo, is an elegant, pure and finely crafted sake with a bright, crisp profile and notes of honeydew, lemon peel, white florals and green apple that can be enjoyed neat, paired with food or simply stirred into lower-ABV cocktails such as the ONO Vesper and ONO Daiquiri. It is best enjoyed chilled in a wine glass to bring out its clean, crisp finish.
Sake ONO has been designed for its versatility, whether you serve it chilled in a wine glass, stirred into a delicious Sake Martini or a refined low-alcohol cocktails, Sake ONO is the perfect drink to pair with thoughtful dishes and works beautifully in any number of settings.
Since its launch here in the UK with distributor DrinksOne, the brand has expanded its presence across a number of leading restaurants, hotels, private members’ clubs and select retailers, such as Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay, Coya, and the Mandarin Oriental, inviting a new generation of drinkers to experience the beauty, complexity and versatility of sake beyond the more traditional sushi pairing.
Lana Buchanan, CEO of Sake ONO, commented:
“We believe sake is ready for its renaissance. It is clean, elegant, and has the same culinary and mixology potential as fine wine or spirits. Our mission is to make it accessible and inspiring, whether you are a long-time enthusiast or discovering sake for the first time.”
Sake ONO was founded by the Yang, Cue and Azoff families, respected leaders in the global music and technology industries. Having been struck by the lack of appreciation for the category in Western markets, their aim was to create a modern sake brand that could connect heritage and innovation, bringing this exceptional category to a much wider international audience.
The name “ONO” has a dual meaning. In Japanese, it simply means “small field”, while in Hawaiian it translates as “delicious” and reflects the brand’s cross-cultural foundation and deep respect for craftsmanship and flavour.
The highest classification of sake, Junmai Daiginjo, requires meticulous attention to detail and precision and is brewed using hand-selected rice, koji, yeast and pristine snowmelt water from Niigata. The expression is clean and aromatic, with delicate notes of honeydew melon, lemon peel, white floral and green apple. It is balanced with a soft umami finish and is crafted to complement both fine dining and the contemporary bar culture.
Sake ONO is currently working with renowned mixologists such as Julie Reiner and Jonathan Adler to develop a range of signature serves that highlight its elegant, crisp profile. For example, the ONO Vesper, which combines Sake ONO with Orientalist Gin, Altamura Vodka, and umami bitters. Then there is the ONO Spritz, a refreshing blend of Sake ONO, Italicus Bergamot Liqueur, yuzu juice and fresh herbs. And finally, the ONO Daiquiri, which adds grapefruit juice, Equiano Light Rum, fresh lime and lychee liqueur to give a refined and citrus-forward take on this classic cocktail.
When it comes to food pairings, Sake ONO is encouraging us to expand our horizons and explore a bit more. Whilst sake is a natural complement to traditional dishes such as oysters, sashimi and beef tartare, it also pairs really well with some unexpected plates including aged cheeses, grilled peaches, truffle risotto as well as dark chocolate desserts. When served in a wine glass, it provides a lighter, gluten-free and lower-alcohol alternative to white wine or Champagne.
According to data from IWSR, super-premium sake has more than doubled in volume between 2023 and 2024, with the category forecast to grow by five per cent annually, reaching 6.6 per cent of global market share by 2028.
Sake ONO is available in 300ml and 750ml bottles through select boutique retailers and online at www.drinksone.com.
Author Bio:
Simon Burrell is a UK-based travel and motoring journalist and editor, a former member of The British Guild of Travel Writers and professional photographer.
Photographs courtesy of Sake ONO
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