Sage Ceremony cocktail with shochu, lime, green bell pepper, and sage in a coupe glass on a white marble countertop

Most cocktails demand attention. This one invites quiet curiosity. Sage Ceremony is a savory, herb-forward shochu cocktail built on Honkaku Spirits’ Colorful Shochu. It’s layered but clean—blending fresh sage, lime, red bell pepper, and a finishing splash of Fontbonne herbal liqueur. The result? A balanced, citrusy drink that tastes like a quiet walk through a garden right after the rain.


Why Shochu Is a Great Spirit for Modern Cocktails

Shochu doesn’t always get the love it deserves, especially in Western home bars. But it should—especially if you like nuance.

Honkaku Spirits’ Colorful Shochu is distilled from rice and designed to be sipped, not hidden. It’s clean, slightly grainy, and just dry enough to keep cocktails crisp. It won’t overpower herbs or citrus, which makes it perfect for drinks like Sage Ceremony, where every flavor needs to play nice.


Shochu Cocktail Recipe with Sage and Lime

This cocktail pulls inspiration from the gimlet, but swaps out gin for something gentler, and adds a savory punch through muddled herbs and bell pepper.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Honkaku Spirits Colorful Shochu
  • 1 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1 oz simple syrup
  • 0.5 oz Fontbonne herbal liqueur
  • 2 fresh sage leaves
  • 2 thin strips red bell pepper
  • Ice

How to Make the Sage Ceremony Cocktail

  1. Muddle the sage and red bell pepper in a shaker with the simple syrup.
  2. Add lime juice, Fontbonne, and Colorful Shochu.
  3. Shake with ice until well chilled.
  4. Double strain into a coupe or Nick & Nora glass.
  5. Garnish with a sage leaf or nothing at all—this drink doesn’t need dressing up.

Fontbonne Liqueur Adds Herbal Depth to This Cocktail

Fontbonne is what happens when someone distills the smell of a sun-warmed herb garden and bottles it. Made with lemon verbena, mint, sage, and thyme, it’s not as brash as Chartreuse or as sweet as St-Germain. It’s subtle, soft, and botanical in a way that makes other ingredients feel supported—not upstaged.

In this cocktail, Fontbonne ties everything together: citrus, grain, herbs, and pepper. Without it, the drink works—but with it, it speaks.


Bell Pepper and Sage Make This a Memorable Savory Cocktail

You might not expect bell pepper and sage to show up in the same cocktail as lime juice. But that’s where the balance is. The pepper adds texture and vegetal sweetness. The sage brings fragrance and a bit of edge.

It’s a savory cocktail that still finishes bright and clean, not muddy or heavy. A drink for people who want complexity without chaos.


Final Thoughts on the Sage Ceremony Shochu Cocktail

Sage Ceremony is a cocktail that doesn’t follow the usual formula. It’s grounded but light, simple but surprising. If you’re looking to explore shochu cocktails or add more herbal depth to your rotation, this one deserves a place in your glass.