Blog
Stories from behind the bar: cocktails, ramen, Japanese culture, and life on the Lower East Side.
CocktailsJul 7, 2026Hinomaru Umeshu Whisky Cask: Plum Liqueur Finished in Kiuchi's Own BarrelsThe brewery behind Hitachino Nest and Hinomaru whisky puts ume liqueur into whisky casks, and the wood does something sugar cannot.ShochuJul 6, 2026Seifuku: Ishigaki Awamori, Undiluted and UnpasteurizedFrom the southernmost awamori island. Seifuku Vintage is aged three years and bottled at 43% with nothing added or taken out, and they make a coffee liqueur on the same base.FoodJul 4, 2026What Is Hiyashi Chuka? Japan's Cold Summer RamenCold ramen noodles, fresh toppings, and a bright dressing. Juraku's take on Japan's classic summer noodle dish.EventsJul 3, 2026What Is Tanabata? The Story Behind Japan's Star FestivalThe legend of Orihime and Hikoboshi, the tradition of writing wishes on tanzaku, and how Juraku is celebrating this summer.CommunityJul 1, 2026From World Champion to Juraku Regular: Meet Miyo YoshidaTwo-time WBO world champion boxer, Juraku regular, and one of our proud sponsorships: the story of Miyo Yoshida.CommunityJul 1, 2026July at Juraku: Summer Is Here, Big Events Ahead, and Thank YouA summer update from Kiyo: a thank-you for the response to a fundraiser in memory of his mother, what's on for July, and the return of Hiyashi Chuka.CocktailsJun 30, 2026Choya Umeshu and Shiso: What Honkaku Umeshu Actually RequiresThree ingredients and nothing else. Choya's authentic umeshu is Nanko ume, sugar and spirit, and the shiso version adds one leaf.WhiskyJun 26, 2026The Tottori Ex-Bourbon Cask: Matsui's Spicier, Bolder BlendNew charred American oak and first-fill bourbon barrels pushed onto Matsui's fruit-forward house style. Non-chill filtered at 43%, proofed with Mount Daisen water.ShochuJun 24, 2026Leona Sparkling Fuji Apple: A Sparkling Shochu at 8%Yamamoto Shuzo blends Japanese Fuji apple with barley shochu, with no preservatives or artificial flavoring.SakeJun 22, 2026Kaika Sanomaru: A Tokubetsu Junmai Cup Sake With a Mascot on the FrontA 350-year-old Tochigi brewery put its tokubetsu junmai in a cup and put the city's mascot character on it. It's better sake than the packaging suggests.CocktailsJun 19, 2026Yuzugin: Three Rare Citrus, Vacuum Distilled Onto Imo ShochuKyoya Shuzo in Miyazaki has been distilling since 1834. This gin uses yuzu, hyuganatsu and hebesu on a sweet potato shochu base, at 47%.
Get the Juraku Newsletter
A monthly email with new drink drops, upcoming events, and stories from the bar.
Sign Up →