THE STORY BEHIND THE COCKTAIL NAME

My cocktail, YŪJŌ (meaning “friendship” in Japanese), is a toast to the friendship between Kobe, Japan and Brisbane, Australia. Kobe was Brisbane’s first sister city with the agreement being signed in 1985. I discovered this connection whilst visiting Kobe early in 2019 and, as a Brisbane native, felt a strong connection to the area after noticing the similarities between the two. Not only did I find a connection with the city itself, the people of Kobe welcomed me with open arms and I had the privilege of immersing myself in their culture.

Representing this experience, I have combined Junmai Sake from the Nada district near Kobe with Lilly Pilly flowers which grow abundantly in Brisbane (including my very own backyard). A Wakame tincture acts as an ode to the coastal nature of both cities which serve as vibrant port cities. Pairing these bespoke ingredients with HAKU vodka was an obvious choice. Not only due to my time spent in Hakuba, which shares a namesake with the smooth, bamboo charcoal filtered spirit, but also to highlight the superior craftsmanship of the Japanese people.

Serving this drink in a Sake carafe as a group serve allows for the Japanese influence of the drink to be expressed but also promotes the social nature of the people of Kobe, the sharing of experiences, and blossoming of friendships.

YŪJŌ encapsulates the spirit of friendship not only between the cities of Brisbane and Kobe, but the friendships I built between myself and the beautiful people of Kobe.