The Way of the Cocktail

Introduction and Intentions

The spirits of the past and present commune in Kyo to. Their voices lilt together within the imposing bamboo forests of Arashiyama, fluttering through the leaves and playing percussion on bending boughs. They dance in the sunlight filtering through statuesque torii, the vermillion gates that lead to the shrine of Fushimi Inari-taisha, where wishes are implored and granted. They alight in Gion enchanting Gion, where temples tower over the city from their mountain perches, and narrow paths lead to a labyrinth of meandering cobblestone streets flanked by weathered machiya, the traditional wooden townhouses that date back to the 1600s. Every turn beckons a new adventure. It is my favorite place in Japan.

Before leaving my home to study in America, I worked mostly in this historic district, famous for its geisha culture. I preferred to walk the winding route to work, so I would take the train to the Sanjo station, one stop beyond what was necessary. As I ascended the steps to street level, the electricity of the bustling intersection greeted me with a wild breeze blowing from the nearby Kamo River. Rushing against shopping bags clutched in the hands of eager tourists, the wind added to the musical cacophony of the birds chirping loudly from the trees an invigorating welcome no matter the season.

Gion attracts people from all walks of life artisans, families, young lovers, fire dancers, and salarymen alike flock to its small bars and shops for both work and repose. Its ancient roadways wind through the grid of the old city like vines pulling against their trellis, making it easy for visitors to get lost. I let my nose guide the way, following the sultry scent of the waffle shop, the tang in the air from nukazuke (rice bran pickles) at Nishiki Market, and the caramelized tinge of roasting coffee coming from the old cafe . At night, hanging lanterns brighten the rows of stores, teahouses, and eateries that flank the cozy

Born and raised in Japan, Julia Momosé has infused the sensibilities of Japanese bartending culture into every cocktail program she has contributed to, from the Michelin-starred GreenRiver and its companion lounge, The Annex, to Oriole, a two-Michelin-starred tasting menu restaurant in Chicago. She then opened her own bar, the acclaimed Kumiko, an intimate Japanese drinking experience in Chicago, followed by the omakasé counter Kikk , which earned a Michelin star. She lives in Chicago with her husband, fellow bartender Sammy Faze, in a household of plants.
 
Emma Janzen is a journalist, editor, and photographer specializing in all things drinks and design. Her first book, Mezcal: The History, Craft & Cocktails of the World s Ultimate Artisanal Spirit, was nominated for a James Beard Award. She lives in Chicago with her husband and two tuxedo cats.

A love letter to the art of preparing a drink . . . the drinks wink from the pages like glittering jewels: the beautiful pink and green Hishimochi bitters and soda, a wisteria cocktail the color of the sky before rain, a vintage award-winning drink called Sky Diving which looks, delightfully, just how it sounds. Vanity Fair

Momosé provides a treasure chest overflowing with tips for mere mortal bartenders to re-create her graceful style of bartending. Chicago Tribune

A fascinating history of Japanese drink culture. Thrillist

These modern Japanese cocktails will mentally transport you across the globe. Shape

After expertly surveying the contemporary cocktail landscape of Japan and how it came to be, Julia Momosé welcomes readers behind her bar to explore the tools, techniques, and philosophy she employs to craft her groundbreaking mixed drinks. Jim Meehan, author of Meehan s Bartender Manual and The PDT Cocktail Book

Through a mix of personal history, reporting, and an impressive collection of classic and original recipes, Julia Momosé, with writing support by Emma Janzen, has synthesized the craftsmanship, the harmony, and, perhaps most important, the ethereal magnetism of the Japanese approach to cocktails. The Way of the Cocktail is itself a reflection of the Japanese way. Talia Baiocchi, founder and editor-in-chief of PUNCH

Julia Momosé s long-awaited cocktail book is the first to precisely convey why Japanese cocktail culture is so unique. With her beautiful mind, passion, and talent, Momosé gives readers a deep understanding of Japanese cocktails and will encourage and inspire Japanese bartenders as well. She reminds bartenders like ourselves of all of the special elements of our culture that we often take for granted. Takuo and Sumire Miyanohara, founders, owners, and bartenders of Bar Orchard Ginza