It Took 51 Tries To Nail This Delicious Yuzu Matcha Martini
When it comes to crafting new cocktails from scratch, even the best mixologists may need to try dozens of times before finalizing a recipe. And it took a Japanese bartending legend over 50 tries to create one the better ready-to-serve cocktails on the market.
Hidetsugu Ueno of Tokyo's famed Bar High Five was tasked with crafting two new, shelf-stable cocktails for a new collaboration between On The Rocks Premium Cocktails and The House of Suntory. The results—dubbed 'The Harmony Collection,' now on the U.S. market—were a Japanese Boulevardier and Yuzu Matcha Martini. Both use spirits from Suntory's collection; the Boulevardier with Suntory Whisky Toki, and the Martini with Haku Vodka. (On The Rocks and Suntory Global Spirits have had a partnership since 2016. Suntory acquired On The Rocks in 2020.)
And while the Japanese Boulevardier is a tasty go-to over ice (with some latitude for at-home customization with garnishes), the Yuzu Matcha Martini stands out, both for its rich mouthfeel and surprising balance of key ingredients and flavors. According to brand press notes, 'the Yuzu Matcha Martini masterfully balances bright yuzu citrus with the earthy depth of green tea, delivering a harmonious fusion of tangy vibrancy and subtle bitterness.'
That's certainly a tall order. And during a recent tasting of The Harmony Collection, the martini may have exceeded even those lofty tasting notes. The drink itself—best served in a pre-chilled martini glass, of course—walks a delicate balance between tart, sweet, and boozy. It's recognizably a vodka martini, with a punchy citrus kick from the yuzu on the midpalate.
Perhaps more impressive is the restrained, integrated impact of matcha, which lends a subtle earthiness without overpowering the cocktail at any juncture. It's the sort of drink even the matcha-averse may quite enjoy; in fact, if I didn't know the drink's name ahead of time, I might have missed that ground green tea impact until the very end.
That sort of balance in a ready-to-serve cocktail doesn't come automatically. Over the course of around a year, Ueno and the On The Rocks team went through 51 variations of the Yuzu Matcha Martini before finalizing the product.
'Many of the ingredients (such as fresh juice, matcha tea, and wines) used to create cocktails will quickly settle and separate once they sit,' says Ueno, speaking to Forbes. 'These ingredients contribute to the flavor, mouthfeel, color, etc. of the overall cocktail and recreating this unity over time is essential in delivering the optimal experience for our consumers. It takes a lot of testing, patience, and creativity.'
The On The Rocks Yuzu Matcha Martini is proofed at 20% ABV and is now available in the U.S. as part of a 375ml bottle 2-pack for $29.99. That includes a bottle of the brand's Japanese Boulevardier, proofed to a boozier 32.5% ABV.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Eater
9 hours ago
- Eater
The Vegan Experiment Is Over at Eleven Madison Park
is the lead editor of the Northeast region with more than 20 years of experience as a reporter, critic, editor, and cookbook author. The chef who once recast the three-Michelin-star destination as a temple to plant-based luxury will soon run dual menus. Starting on Tuesday, October 14, EMP will offer one vegan, and one with select animal proteins, which marks the return of fish and meats such as the signature honey-lavender-glazed duck. 'I have some anxiety that people are going to say, 'Oh, he's a hypocrite,' but I know that the best way to continue to champion plant-based cooking is to let everyone participate around the table,' Humm told the New York Times. From crusade to compromise When Daniel Humm reopened Eleven Madison Park in 2021 with a fully vegan menu, he didn't just swap butter for almond milk: he positioned it as a moral and creative crusade. He told NPR: 'I believe that if the meal is delicious, we don't need to worry about it. I think people will buy into it. I think if we want to really push the envelope, this is the place where we have to do it.' Starting during the pandemic, EMP's kitchen engineered meringue without eggs, almond-milk ricotta, and Japanese 'land caviar' made from dried seeds. The gamble paid off — at least in accolades. In 2022, EMP became the first restaurant in the world to earn three Michelin stars for a fully vegan menu. But Humm's all-or-nothing vegan approach wasn't universally embraced. 'This $1,000 dinner for two,' wrote former Eater critic Ryan Sutton, 'is not going to change the world. It is not a redefining of luxury, or anything close to it. Omnivores have long been seeking out accessible yet ambitious vegetarian and vegan fare, and Humm, based on a mid-August meal, doesn't yet appear to fully possess the palate, acumen, or cultural awareness to successfully manipulate vegetables or, when necessary, to let them speak for themselves.' In addition, the switch caused some alleged internal conflicts and negative online reviews, as well as the rise of a supposed 'secret beef room,' former Times critic Pete Wells revealed in his brutal review. The walk-back Humm's explanation for the introduction of some seafood, duck, and perhaps chicken is this: 'While we had built something meaningful, we had also unintentionally kept people out. This is the opposite of what we believe hospitality to be.' He now says he wants to 'create an environment where everyone feels welcome around the table.' It's a revealing sentiment: If the point of the vegan pivot was climate impact, animal welfare, and rewriting the fine-dining playbook, then this about-face makes it harder to see that original decision as anything but theater: an experiment that didn't quite fill the seats. He also said to the Times that 'over the past year has found it increasingly harder to sustain the level of creativity and labor required. Bookings for private events, an essential stream of income, have been particularly sparse,' and wine sales were also down. A broader empire in motion Humm's not just tinkering with EMP's menu. Last year, he opened the also-vegan Clemente Bar, a jewel-box lounge upstairs from the restaurant's dining room, and now, he's working on a new downtown restaurant. For a chef approaching his 20th anniversary at EMP, the timing of the pivot — alongside expansion — positions the change as perhaps a strategic move to broaden the customer base and diversify the appeal of the brand. Eater has reached out about the changeover for EMP. From crusade to choice Humm insists the plant-based menu will remain an option, just no longer the only option. But the tonal about-face is striking: from moral urgency to menu flexibility in under half a decade. And above all, it's a reflection of these times. Although when it comes to veganism, with restaurants like the well-funded Kernel abandoning it after a year, it may always be a Sisyphean effort. 'I admire the boldness of the move,' Ariane Daguin, the owner and CEO of D'Artagnan, told Eater in 2021. 'But deep down, I don't think it will last. Dan Barber, Charlie Trotter, Alain Ducasse … all tried and then eventually reintroduced meat and fish proteins.' Eater NY All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Eleven Madison Park Location 11 Madison Ave (at E 24th St), New York, NY 10010 External Link Phone (212) 889-0905 Link Frank Bruni says 'Some chefs and restaurants do better with meat than with fish, or vice versa, but that's not the case here. I'm crazy for the lavender honey-glazed duck for two, but I'm just as crazy for the restaurant's changing lobster dishes.'
New York Post
12 hours ago
- New York Post
Kenshin Kamimura convicted of indecent assault, but avoided jail time in Hong Kong
Japanese pop idol Kenshin Kamimura was found guilty of a charge of indecent assault on a female interpreter in a Hong Kong court on Wednesday before some emotional fans. Kamimura, a former member of a Japanese boy group named ONE N' ONLY, was arrested in the southern Chinese city of March. In the same month, his contract was terminated due to a serious compliance violation. In April, he pleaded not guilty. 4 Japanese pop idol Kenshin Kamimura was found guilty of a charge of indecent assault on a female interpreter in a Hong Kong court on Wednesday. AFP via Getty Images He allegedly touched the interpreter's thigh repeatedly during a celebratory dinner at a restaurant. During the trial last month, the interpreter testified through a live video link that Kamimura had invited her to a bathroom elsewhere. After she dismissed the request and told him she had a boyfriend, Kamimura continued to touch her thigh, she said. The defense argued the interpreter exaggerated her claims, and the alleged bathroom invitation might not have been based on improper motives. Judge Peter Yu handed down the conviction on Wednesday, saying Kamimura touched the interpreter in a caressing manner that implicitly carried a sexual undertone and had indecent intent. 'The defendant's acts are obviously disrespectful toward women,' Yu said. 'Such behavior should be condemned.' 4 Kamimura, a former member of a Japanese boy group named ONE N' ONLY, was arrested in the southern Chinese city of March. AP In pleading for a lesser penalty, the defense said Kamimura previously had a promising future and paid a heavy price. After the verdict was announced, a few of Kamimura's fans wept in the courtroom. But Kamimura looked relieved and hugged his courtroom translator when the judge issued a fine of 15,000 Hong Kong dollars (about $1,900) and no prison term. The maximum penalty for the charge is 10 years of imprisonment. The singer's supporters, including some from Japan and mainland China, formed long lines inside the court building to secure a seat in the main courtroom before the hearing. 4 Judge Peter Yu handed down the conviction on Wednesday, saying Kamimura touched the interpreter in a caressing manner that implicitly carried a sexual undertone and had indecent intent. AP After the hearing, they waited outside to see Kamimura, who did not speak before leaving in a car. Others from mainland China who attended said they were not fans but wanted to learn more about the case, especially after seeing criticism of the female interpreter online. University student Betty Zhong from the Chinese city of Shenzhen said she was not a Kamimura fan but attended the court hearings in Hong Kong because a friend likes the J-pop idol and she wanted to know what happened. 4 Fans of J-pop performer Kenshin Kamimura wait outside the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts in Hong Kong on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. AP She said she was surprised Kamimura was charged during a visit to Hong Kong. 'News reports are not so comprehensive. When I come here, I can understand it holistically and the explanations from both sides,' she said. Kamimura is also an actor who appeared in several TV dramas, including the boys' love series 'Our Youth' and the popular drama 'Ossan's Love Returns.'
Black America Web
12 hours ago
- Black America Web
A$AP Rocky, Ice Spice, and Denzel Light Up Spike Lee's New Crime Epic
Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty Brooklyn came alive as Spike Lee unveiled his latest film, Highest 2 Lowest , with a star-packed premiere at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in Fort Greene — the very neighborhood that helped shape his cinematic voice. The red carpet and after party was a who's-who of film, and music: Denzel Washington and his beautiful wife of 42 years Pauletta, A$AP Rocky, Jeffrey Wright, Boris Kodjoe with Nicole Ari Parker, Chance the Rapper, Slick Rick, NBA champion Rick Fox, Key (of Key and Peele) and breakout acting star popular rapper Ice Spice, who makes her acting debut in the film. Radio/TV personality Jazmyn Summers was there for Radio One to get the tea. Speaking at the premiere, Denzel shared a key line from his character: 'You don't tell God no, you take it and make it work.' As he reflected on choosing roles carefully, he admitted, 'Increasingly now… I don't have to [do a project], but more importantly, I don't want to.' This marks the fifth collaboration between Spike Lee and Denzel Washington—and their first in 19 years, following Inside Man in 2006. At Cannes, Lee teased that thisis probably their last film together. But at the premiere he told Summers he was 'taking that back,' underscoring a bond that's unbreakable. He also emphasized that working with Denzel again felt effortless: 'It's not like we had to catch up. We never lost a step.' We care about your data. See our privacy policy. Hi ghest 2 Lowest is Lee's modern reimagining of Akira Kurosawa's 1963 thriller High and Low , but instead of the Japanese corporate world, this version plunges into the high-stakes music industry of New York City. Washington plays David King, a legendary music mogul whose life is thrown into chaos when his driver's young son is kidnapped by mistake. Faced with a ransom demand that forces him to choose between protecting his empire or doing the right thing, King must confront his own moral compass. With jazz-tinged beats, tense moral dilemmas, and rap battles that tell a story within the story, this crime thriller is part Kurosawa homage, part love letter to New York—and all Spike Lee. The film will be released in select theaters August 15 and stream on Apple TV September 5. STAY INFORMED! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! 'This is really about morals and the choices people make,' Lee told Radio One's Jazmyn Summers on the carpet, nodding to the film's core message. 'All money ain't good money,' a line delivered by Washington in the film, has already become one of its defining quotes — a sharp reminder that every deal has a cost. Lee resets the story in the music industry with a distinctly New York heartbeat. Spike Lee's New York is everywhere—from framed Jalen Brunson jerseys to Yankee stadium cameo scenes, Knicks fandom, and a playful 'Boston sucks!' battle cry . It's a New York homage,—with culture, the city's grit, its unique tapestry of cultures and its vibrant music from the late Eddie Palmieri to A$AP Rocky. Adding fresh energy to the ensemble is Ice Spice, known for her chart-topping hits, who makes her screen debut under Lee's direction. One of the most talked-about scenes is a rap-battle in a basement studio—Denzel improvises lyrics inspired by Nas, delivering a powerful, unscripted performance, while A$AP Rocky stands toe-to-toe as his rival. It plays like a cinematic heavyweight fight—'blow to blow to blow. Spike Lee praised Rocky's acting chops, calling out audiences not to 'sleep on' him: Rocky went 'toe-to-toe' with Denzel and held his own. The two even throw hands – and feet– in a fast paced chase and brawl. Who wins both battles? You'll just have to see the film to find out. READ MORE STORIES: A$AP Rocky, Ice Spice, and Denzel Light Up Spike Lee's New Crime Epic Killa Clown! Cam'ron's 10 Most Petty Moments Beyoncé Wins First Emmy Award for Netflix's 'Beyoncé Bowl' A$AP Rocky said he wasn't nervous at all acting alongside Denzel—'I was born for this.' He describes it as a dream come true, though admittedly challenging, given his admiration for Washington's career. Music plays a central role—Spike Lee curated the film's soundtrack, featuring original songs by A$AP Rocky, Aiyana-Lee (who also appears in the film), and Jensen McRae. Aiyana-Lee's title track provides a soulful, hopeful tone of resilience, complemented by a lush score from Howard Drossin and a jazz-inflected EP by Fergus McCreadie's trio Pithfork. The director also paid tribute to the late Eddie Palmieri, who appears in the film, honoring his legacy in both music and culture. Highest 2 Lowest is classic Spike Lee—rich in culture, music, moral complexity, and cinematic bravado. It's both a reunion and a romp, an homage and a fresh statement. With electrifying turns from Denzel Washington and A$AP Rocky and the New York spirit beating at its core, this film promises to hit hard. It forces you to ask yourself what would you do when everything is on the line. Source: Jazmyn Summers / Jazmyn Summers Article by Jazmyn Summers. You can hear Jazmyn every morning on 'Jazmyn in the Morning 'on Sirius XM Channel 362 Grown Folk Jamz . Subscribe to J azmyn Summers' YouTube . Follow her on Facebook and Instagram. LIKE US ON FACEBOOK . FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM & TWITTER . SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE . STAY INFORMED! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! HEAD TO THE HOMEPAGE SEE ALSO
