How Do You Pronounce Sake?

We often get asked: 

How do I pronounce sake: Is it sakay or sa-ki ? What is nihonshu?

Sake is pronounced sa-kay (rhymes with O.K. or everyday). The word “sake” is the generic term for “alcohol” in Japanese. In Japan, what we know as sake is called nihonshu (Japanese alcohol), so when ordering sake in Japan, ask for nihonshu.