Gumi Subscription Banner
Happy Hour

Poolside Cocktails

Let us fantasize for a minute here: we're in the Yucatan, having drinks on chaise lounges by the infinity pool overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. In this fantasy, I have a hot JLo bikini bod. Hell yah! Reality: the "Gulf of Mexico" is actually a kiddie pool I...

Happy Hour

Matcha Catechin Shake

What a crazy roller coaster ride these last few weeks have been. And it ain't over yet, folks, so strap in. Most of us now, across the globe, are advised to stay put. And we don't know what to do with ourselves. Our daily routines have gone...

Happy Hour

Grandpa Richard Highball Cocktail

Louis Anderman, founder of Miracle Mile Bitters, used to make Celery Bitters in very limited quantities only. We love his rendition of these bitters, savory and earthy, and have been begging him for years to make this a part of his regular line-up. And it's finally here! Made with celery...

Happy Hour

Hachee's Knees

In celebration of Yoko's most recent honey harvest, I've come up with a simple recipe for the iconic cocktail, Bee's Knees, but with a Japanese twist of course. So we'll call it Hachee's Knees! In Japanese, hachi means bee – I can't take credit for the clever...

Happy Hour

Brad's Shochu Hot Toddy

Our bartender Brad has been with us since we first opened our bar in May. He had been a longtime customer of ours in our old space, and Sake Gumi member! When we started looking for a bartender, Brad naturally came to mind, and we...

Genshu Cocktails: Rob Roy + Bamboo

When Yoko told me that this month's Sake Gumi theme was genshu sakes, I was so excited. This was a prime opportunity to develop some new cocktails! Since genshu sakes are tank strength, they have not been diluted (most sakes are diluted with water to bring down the ABV) –...

Happy Hour

Shiso Shochu Mojito

I seriously suck at gardening. I've even been known to kill succulents – that's how bad I am at keeping plants alive. Luckily, I'm surrounded by people with green thumbs, and I get to enjoy the fruits of their labor. This...

Happy Hour

Sakura Daikiri (A Hemingway Daiquiri Riff)

If we were in Japan right now, Yoko and I would shut down Umami Mart for a week and spend our days hanami-ing – picnicking under sakura (cherry blossom) trees with bentos and sake with friends, joyful that spring is here while blossoms flutter all around. Just look at...

Happy Hour

Happy Hour: The Mother-In-Law Cocktail

I found this cocktail inside Ted Haigh's Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails book that we carry at Umami Mart. Aptly named the Mother-In-Law cocktail, it is indeed a stiff enough drink to prepare you for a visit with the in-laws. There's nothing...

Happy Hour

Happy Hour: Umamichelada!

Scroll to the bottom for updated recipe notes and photo! - Kayoko, 6/30/2020Ah, Mexico. We went to Cabo San Lucas over New Year's and had a magical time. We were captivated by the sea breeze... ... the abundantly fresh seafood...