Randy S.
Yelp
Tokyo, Ginza. November 2022
Cocktails made with tea-infused spirits in a tiny eight seat minimalist bar on the 13th floor of Ginza Six. Very inviting to ladies who lunch and/or drink.
One of the concepts by Nakamura Shuzo, who has other bars in the Hibiya Okuroji under the Yamanote train tracks.
If you have no idea where to start, I recommend committing to a tea cocktail course. Currently, they are featuring Gyokuro tea. For the uninitiated, Gyokuro is a shade grown tea generally cultivated from Japanese tea varietals. It is a beautiful dark green with a wonderful scent.
The first course is Gyokuro steeped at a low temperature. The resulting first brew is full of umami without any hint of astringency or bitterness. I would liken it to a very delicate dashi made with katsuo and kombu, but the liquid is strictly tea. Eye opening!
Next, a second brew combines the tea with Ice wine snd Islay Single Malt. Swirling and successive sups bring new flavors. The peaty smokiness works well.
Third, you choose your own tea based cocktail off their menu.
Last, you are served Gyokuro, warm. The spent tea leaves are mixed with a smoked soy and oyster sauce and served as an ohitashi vegetable. I have never been served tea leaves as an eating course.
The bartenders are very knowledgeable and courteous. It's very easy to walk up and join the fun. Give this place a try.