Us Scots love a good drink, and when it comes to cocktail nights, what's better than a unique drink or two alongside some seriously stunning street food?
Venturing away from the city and entering Japan, the décor walking into Mikaku is lovely and impressive to say the least.
From the lanterns to the stall-like features, we knew we were in for a treat the moment we walked through the doors. Inviting Glasgow Live to try their new cocktail menu, here is our thoughts on what is said to be "unlike anything Glasgow has ever seen".
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The authentic Japanese Izakaya restaurant and cocktail bar is a popular spot amongst locals, which according to one TripAdvisor review, will "transport you to the heart of Tokyo."
Complimenting the Japanese inspired food with the likes of tofu and pork belly all on offer, the new menu comes from American Mixologist, Zachary Sapato who is passionate about creating all things unique and wonderful.
The creator previously behind Glasgow's The Absent Ear, a speakeasy-style cocktail bar inspired by Vincent Van Gogh, is known for making drinks that are one to remember. He and his team took home the crown after winning a bartender competition in Barcelona last year.
“The Balance Menu” is designed around the five taste sensations of current flavour science: Sweet, Sour, Salty, Bitter, and Umami. It consists of 19 cocktails that are guaranteed to take cocktail lovers on an exciting flavour journey.
Speaking at the evening event on April 5, Zachary Sapato, said: "This has been a labour of love for the last two months. We have been really working on Mikaku and making a Japanese inspired menu that allows us to be a little bit whimsical and wonderful.
"Things are a bit different on every cocktail than you would expect them to be, we are really excited that you'll just come on the journey with us.
"My style as some of you know is a bit weird and wonderful and so I tend to use, dare I say, a lot of weird s***.
"In making a menu that's cocktails unlike anything Glasgow has ever seen, it's also unlike anything these bartenders have ever seen."
Under the direction of the US & UK National Cocktail Champion, Zach has created several drinks that are certainly unlike anything we have had before.
We firstly tried their Hi-Chew Watermelon followed by No Tattoos in the Onsen - both of which were epic, if there's one word to sum it up with lots of great flavours making it different to your usual cocktails on offer at most bars.
For our third drink, we opted for Miso White Chocolate Flip which combines miso, maple, white coco, egg and white cocoa mix. This is one that stands out to us. Located under their Umami section, the flavours were powerful - but not too overpowering - and getting hits of miso and white chocolate is certainly an experience we enjoyed.
Zach Sapato added: “Everyone’s taste palette and flavour preferences are different. We so deeply respect that and want everyone to find a perfectly-balanced cocktail that they’ll enjoy on our menu. So we’ve accomplished the miraculous feat of putting out a menu which makes everyone happy all at the same time. They said we couldn’t do it, and we said ‘Pass us the sake’ and made it happen!
“Guests will see ingredients that they don’t recognise and experience cocktails unlike any they’ve had in Scotland. We are using innovative flavour research, modern culinary cocktail preparation, and wonderfully unique spirits.
“In cocktails and in life, we strive for balance - and that’s what Mikaku’s new cocktail menu offers everyone. We can’t wait for y’all to try these!”
Zach Sapato’s new program and The Balance Menu
Some of the cocktails you can try include:
- Clearly a Pornstar - A unique take on the Glasgow favourite, this completely clear passion fruit cocktail invites you to close your eyes and enjoy.
- STRBrry Spirtz - Taking its name from Japan’s most delicious strawberry which is an anagram of Sweet, Tasty, Round and Big.
- Obsesso Espresso - Mikaku’s homemade Kyoto-style Cold Brew Coffee gives this take on the Espresso Martini a strong kick.
- AmmaWriteTae Sour - Mikaku’s take on the Amaretto Sour, with a real postcard that the team will send to a friend for you.
- Japanese Hoose Shoe - A modern classic Japanese Slipper cocktail with a twist of hame also turns your glass into the flag of Japan.
- Yakitori Corn - A Japanese, Mexican, Scottish riff on the classic Corn & Oil, served with homemade crystal clear corn-shaped ice.
- Electric Bluegaloo - The addition of Tomato Ponzu makes this the weirdest blue cocktail you’ll ever try ever
- Hi-Chew Grape Ape - a 0.0% cocktail inspired by the chewy Japanese sweeties.
You can check out our TikTok of the evening below - and the speech by Zach.
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