Vodka
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This is the easy one, and the swap arguably improves the drink. A clean kome or a vacuum distilled mugi does vodka's job. It also brings something with it.
The strength problem
Vodka recipes assume 40 percent. In a long drink the mixer absorbs the difference. In a stirred drink it does not. This is the swap you get away with in a highball and regret in a martini glass.
Kome or mugi shochu at 30 percent or above
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Why it works
- Vodka gets chosen when the recipe wants strength and texture without an argument from the base. A clean rice or barley shochu gives you exactly that.
- Vacuum distillation is the deliberate version of this. It runs at a lower temperature and gives a lighter, softer spirit. A bottle labelled that way is the closest thing to a neutral base we have.
What changes in the glass
- It is clean, not neutral, and the difference is the point. There is rice or barley in the glass, which a vodka drink was built around not having.
Bottles that qualify38
Kiuchi Rice Shochu GinkaTasted at JurakuKome (rice) · IbarakiStart with Jasmine tea, HibiscusDassai ShochuTasted at JurakuKome (rice) · YamaguchiStart with Tonic water, ChamomileAki no Tsuyu Zen Koji KoshuKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Oolong tea, CherryAokage 'Forty-One Genshu - Throughbred Stallion' Barley ShochuMugi (barley) · MiyazakiStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitBrooklyn Kura Kasutori ShochuKome (rice)Start with Jasmine tea, GrapefruitGinza No Suzume Aged 7YrMugi (barley) · OitaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitGoki TakaratsuboKome (rice) · FukuokaStart with Oolong tea, CherryGoki Utagaki GenshuMugi (barley) · FukuokaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitHakkaisan Honkaku Kome Shochu Oak Barrel "Fubaika"Kome (rice) · NiigataStart with Oolong tea, LemonHakutake KomoriutaKome (rice)Start with Oolong tea, GrapefruitHyakunen No Kodoku '100 Years of Solitude' Barrel-Aged Barley ShochuMugi (barley) · MiyazakiStart with Mugicha (barley tea), Cherryiichiko SaitenMugi (barley) · OitaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), Grapefruitiichiko ShinwaMugi (barley) · OitaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), ChamomileIichiko Special Barley ShochuMugi (barley) · OitaStart with Hot water (oyuwari), CherryKirishima Melt Barley 720mlMugi (barley) · MiyazakiStart with Hot water (oyuwari), LimeKomasa Mellowed Kozuru ExcellenceKome (rice) · KagoshimaStart with Hot water (oyuwari), CinnamonKoshihikari 40°Kome (rice) · NiigataStart with Oolong tea, CherryKourin no ShizukuMugi (barley) · MiyazakiStart with Hot water (oyuwari), GrapefruitMannen Boshi 'Genshu' Barley ShochuMugi (barley) · MiyazakiStart with Hot water (oyuwari), GrapefruitMasakoMugi (barley) · MiyazakiStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitMizu Green Tea ShochuMugi (barley) · SagaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitMizu Lemongrass ShochuKome (rice) · SagaStart with Oolong tea, LemonMizu Sakura Cask ShochuMugi (barley) · SagaStart with Ginger ale, GrapefruitMizu Shochu Saga BarleyMugi (barley) · SagaStart with Jasmine tea, GrapefruitMotokoKome (rice) · MiyazakiStart with Oolong tea, CherryMugon Rice ShochuKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Hot water (oyuwari), CherryMUJEN OriginalKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Oolong tea, LemonRice Shochu for Fruit Liqueurs - 35%Kome (rice) · GifuStart with Oolong tea, LemonSennen no Nemuri Aged Barley ShochuMugi (barley) · FukuokaStart with Jasmine tea, ThymeSG Shochu KOMEKome (rice) · Kumamoto (Hitoyoshi)Start with Lemon soda (ramune, Sanpellegrino), LemonSG Shochu MUGIMugi (barley) · OitaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitShirokawa Black LabelKome (rice) · EhimeStart with Oolong tea, AppleSt. George California Rice ShochuKome (rice)Start with Hot water (oyuwari), LemonTakenoi Yatsugatake no Mai Pure Rice Shochu 35 Long-term Oak Cask AgedKome (rice) · YamanashiStart with Oolong tea, CherryTokusen AmakusaKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Oolong tea, ChamomileToyonaga "Okukuma"Kome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Hot water (oyuwari), LemonTsutsumi 'Taru' 12 Year Sherry Cask ShochuKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Oolong tea, CherryYamaneko PremiumMugi (barley) · NagasakiStart with Mugicha (barley tea), Cherry
Any clean kome or mugi, in a long drink
Workable
Why it works
- A vodka soda or a screwdriver is mostly mixer, so the base has room to be tasted rather than only felt. That is usually an improvement on vodka.
What changes in the glass
- In a martini or anything stirred and strong, 25 percent is simply not enough spirit and no technique hides it.
Bottles that qualify172
Kiuchi Rice Shochu GinkaTasted at JurakuKome (rice) · IbarakiStart with Jasmine tea, HibiscusKiuchi Rice Shochu ClassicTasted at JurakuKome (rice) · IbarakiStart with Oolong tea, CherryYanagita Koma Barley ShochuTasted at JurakuMugi (barley) · Miyazaki (Miyakonojo)Start with Jasmine tea, CucumberDassai ShochuTasted at JurakuKome (rice) · YamaguchiStart with Tonic water, ChamomileNikaido Oita Mugi ShochuTasted at JurakuMugi (barley) · Oita (Hiji)Start with Jasmine tea, Cucumber24-DO Kinjo ShiroKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Oolong tea, CherryAka Oni Shochu Red Devil 12Mugi (barley) · MiyazakiStart with Soda water, GrapefruitAki no Tsuyu JunmaiKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Oolong tea, LemonAki no Tsuyu Kura no KodawariKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Oolong tea, CinnamonAki no Tsuyu TaruKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Oolong tea, CinnamonAki no Tsuyu Zen Koji KoshuKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Oolong tea, CherryAmakusaKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Oolong tea, LemonAmakusa Jukusei KoshuKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Oolong tea, ChamomileAmakusa KoshuKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Oolong tea, ChamomileAokage 'Forty-One Genshu - Throughbred Stallion' Barley ShochuMugi (barley) · MiyazakiStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitAsahi MannenboshiMugi (barley) · MiyazakiStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitBakusei Amakusa KoshuMugi (barley) · KumamotoStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitBarley Shochu 3-Year AgedMugi (barley) · EhimeStart with Mugicha (barley tea), CucumberBarley Shochu 8-Year AgedMugi (barley) · EhimeStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitBarley Shochu HoshiMugi (barley) · EhimeStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitBarley Shochu TsunezoMugi (barley) · OitaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), LemonBatsugunKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Oolong tea, LemonBlack Koji BatsugunKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Hot water (oyuwari), LemonBrooklyn Kura Kasutori ShochuKome (rice)Start with Jasmine tea, GrapefruitChingu Black Iki Barley ShochuMugi (barley) · NagasakiStart with Hot water (oyuwari), GrapefruitChingu White Iki Barley ShochuMugi (barley) · NagasakiStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitDenenMugi (barley) · KagoshimaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), CucumberFukiage Kura Cask Reserve ShochuMugi (barley) · KagoshimaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitGankutsuoKome (rice) · MiyazakiStart with Jasmine tea, HibiscusGenkai "Iki"Mugi (barley) · NagasakiStart with Mugicha (barley tea), PearGinrei ShiroKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Jasmine tea, ChamomileGinsho FusanotsuyuKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Oolong tea, LemonGinza No Suzume Aged 7YrMugi (barley) · OitaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitGinza No Suzume Black Barley ShochuMugi (barley) · OitaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), LemonGinza No Suzume Tokkuri ShochuMugi (barley) · OitaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), CucumberGinza Suzume Barley ShochuMugi (barley) · OitaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitGinza Suzume Kohaku Mugi ShochuMugi (barley) · OitaStart with Ginger ale, CherryGoki Funadokkuri KomeKome (rice) · FukuokaStart with Hot water (oyuwari), CucumberGoki Funadokkuri MugiMugi (barley) · FukuokaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitGoki KomeKome (rice) · FukuokaStart with Oolong tea, LemonGoki MugiMugi (barley) · FukuokaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), CucumberGoki TakaratsuboKome (rice) · FukuokaStart with Oolong tea, CherryGoki UtagakiMugi (barley) · FukuokaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), CherryGoki Utagaki GenshuMugi (barley) · FukuokaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitGokoo "Comfortable Sky" Mugi ShochuMugi (barley) · FukuokaStart with Ginger ale, GrapefruitGoto MugiMugi (barley) · NagasakiStart with Mugicha (barley tea), CherryGoto TsubakiMugi (barley) · NagasakiStart with Mugicha (barley tea), LemonHakkaisan Honkaku Kome Shochu "Kikoji Sandanshikomi Yoroshiku Senman Arubeshi"Kome (rice) · NiigataStart with Oolong tea, ChamomileHakkaisan Honkaku Kome Shochu Oak Barrel "Fubaika"Kome (rice) · NiigataStart with Oolong tea, LemonHakutakeKome (rice)Start with Oolong tea, LemonHakutake KaoruKome (rice)Start with Oolong tea, LemonHakutake KomoriutaKome (rice)Start with Oolong tea, GrapefruitHakutake ShiroKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Oolong tea, GrapefruitHana no Seki MugiMugi (barley) · FukuokaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitHishu Mugi ShochuMugi (barley) · SagaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitHishu Taru ShochuMugi (barley) · SagaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), CherryHitotsubu No Mugi ShochuMugi (barley) · KagoshimaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitHonkaku Kome Shochu Kumano SuigunKome (rice) · WakayamaStart with Oolong tea, LemonHosenboMugi (barley) · EhimeStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitHyakuKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Hot water (oyuwari), LemonHyakunen No Kodoku '100 Years of Solitude' Barrel-Aged Barley ShochuMugi (barley) · MiyazakiStart with Mugicha (barley tea), Cherryiichiko FrascoMugi (barley) · OitaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), Grapefruitiichiko KurobinMugi (barley) · OitaStart with Ginger ale, Grapefruitiichiko SaitenMugi (barley) · OitaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), Grapefruitiichiko SeirinMugi (barley) · OitaStart with Jasmine tea, Cucumberiichiko ShinwaMugi (barley) · OitaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), Chamomileiichiko SilhouetteMugi (barley) · OitaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitIichiko Special Barley ShochuMugi (barley) · OitaStart with Hot water (oyuwari), CherryIkiMugi (barley) · NagasakiStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitIki no Shima 25%Mugi (barley) · NagasakiStart with Oolong tea, LemonIki no Shima DenshoMugi (barley) · NagasakiStart with Oolong tea, LemonIkikkoMugi (barley) · NagasakiStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitIpponduriMugi (barley) · TokyoStart with Mugicha (barley tea), CucumberIshuMugi (barley) · NagasakiStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitJakuunbaku Barley ShochuMugi (barley) · FukuokaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), ThymeJoatsu Bakusei AmakusaMugi (barley) · KumamotoStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitJorakau Wine YeastKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Oolong tea, LemonKakushiguraMugi (barley) · KagoshimaStart with Lemon soda (ramune, Sanpellegrino), LemonKangosamaKome (rice) · FukuokaStart with Jasmine tea, CucumberKannokoMugi (barley) · KagoshimaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitKawabeKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Oolong tea, LemonKintaro Barley ShochuMugi (barley) · FukuokaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), LemonKirishima Melt Barley 720mlMugi (barley) · MiyazakiStart with Hot water (oyuwari), LimeKohaku no YokaichiMugi (barley) · MiyazakiStart with Hot water (oyuwari), GrapefruitKokuMugi (barley) · FukuokaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitKomasa Mellowed Kozuru ExcellenceKome (rice) · KagoshimaStart with Hot water (oyuwari), CinnamonKome Shochu EenamoKome (rice) · AichiStart with Lemon soda (ramune, Sanpellegrino), LemonKoppoummonKome (rice) · NagasakiStart with Oolong tea, LemonKoshihikari 25°Kome (rice) · NiigataStart with Oolong tea, LemonKoshihikari 40°Kome (rice) · NiigataStart with Oolong tea, CherryKougin no Sasayaki Ginjo Barley ShochuMugi (barley) · OitaStart with Hot water (oyuwari), GrapefruitKourin no ShizukuMugi (barley) · MiyazakiStart with Hot water (oyuwari), GrapefruitKurokoji Takachiho Black LabelMugi (barley) · MiyazakiStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitKurokoji Takachiho White LabelMugi (barley) · MiyazakiStart with Mugicha (barley tea), LemonKuroUma GoldMugi (barley) · MiyazakiStart with Mugicha (barley tea), AppleMannen Boshi 'Genshu' Barley ShochuMugi (barley) · MiyazakiStart with Hot water (oyuwari), GrapefruitMasakoMugi (barley) · MiyazakiStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitMisty Blue Rice Shochu 720mlKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Oolong tea, CherryMiyatayaKome (rice) · MiyazakiStart with Jasmine tea, CucumberMizu Green Tea ShochuMugi (barley) · SagaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitMizu Lemongrass ShochuKome (rice) · SagaStart with Oolong tea, LemonMizu Sakura Cask ShochuMugi (barley) · SagaStart with Ginger ale, GrapefruitMizu Shochu Saga BarleyMugi (barley) · SagaStart with Jasmine tea, GrapefruitMorimoto ShochuKome (rice) · IshikawaStart with Tonic water, ChamomileMotokoKome (rice) · MiyazakiStart with Oolong tea, CherryMugi HokkaMugi (barley) · KagoshimaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitMugi Shochu EenamoMugi (barley) · AichiStart with Jasmine tea, LemonMugikatagiMugi (barley) · MiyazakiStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitMugio Barley Shochu 900mlMugi (barley) · KagoshimaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitMugiwara Boushi Barley Shochu 900mlMugi (barley) · KagoshimaStart with Soda water, LemonMugon Rice ShochuKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Hot water (oyuwari), CherryMuhomatsu BarleyMugi (barley) · FukuokaStart with Ginger ale, GrapefruitMUJEN Ai LiteKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Oolong tea, LemonMUJEN OriginalKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Oolong tea, LemonMusha Gaeshi "Tipsy Samurai" Rice ShochuKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Oolong tea, WatermelonNakanakaMugi (barley) · MiyazakiStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitNasakeshimaMugi (barley) · TokyoStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitNikaido Kitchomu Barley ShochuMugi (barley) · OitaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitRanbiki 3 Year Aged Barley ShochuMugi (barley) · FukuokaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), CherryRanbiki 5 Year Aged Barley ShochuMugi (barley) · FukuokaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitRice Shochu for Fruit Liqueurs - 35%Kome (rice) · GifuStart with Oolong tea, LemonRoro 20Kome (rice) · MiyazakiStart with Oolong tea, LemonRoro 25Kome (rice) · MiyazakiStart with Lemon soda (ramune, Sanpellegrino), CucumberSaikokuraKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Oolong tea, LemonSatsuma Kohaku no Yume (Amber Dream) / Kohaku No Yume Shochu 720mlMugi (barley) · KagoshimaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), CherrySengetsu Rice ShochuKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Oolong tea, AppleSengetsu Taru Rice ShochuKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Oolong tea, CherrySennen no Nemuri Aged Barley ShochuMugi (barley) · FukuokaStart with Jasmine tea, ThymeSento Junmai Ginjo Shochu 25Kome (rice) · KochiStart with Oolong tea, LemonSento Kome Shochu 25Kome (rice) · KochiStart with Oolong tea, LemonSG Shochu KOMEKome (rice) · Kumamoto (Hitoyoshi)Start with Lemon soda (ramune, Sanpellegrino), LemonSG Shochu MUGIMugi (barley) · OitaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitShimajimanMugi (barley) · TokyoStart with Mugicha (barley tea), LemonShiratsuyu Satsuma No Mugi ShochuMugi (barley) · KagoshimaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), LemonShirokawa Black LabelKome (rice) · EhimeStart with Oolong tea, AppleShirokawa White LabelMugi (barley) · EhimeStart with Mugicha (barley tea), ChamomileSt. George California Rice ShochuKome (rice)Start with Hot water (oyuwari), LemonTakachiho KinMugi (barley) · MiyazakiStart with Ginger ale, CherryTakachiho ReiMugi (barley) · MiyazakiStart with Ginger ale, GrapefruitTakara Yokaichi Kome ShochuKome (rice) · MiyazakiStart with Oolong tea, LemonTakenoi Yatsugatake no Mai Pure Rice Shochu 25Kome (rice) · YamanashiStart with Oolong tea, LemonTakenoi Yatsugatake no Mai Pure Rice Shochu 25 Flower YeastKome (rice) · YamanashiStart with Oolong tea, LemonTakenoi Yatsugatake no Mai Pure Rice Shochu 35 Long-term Oak Cask AgedKome (rice) · YamanashiStart with Oolong tea, CherryTenjinsama (Aged)Mugi (barley) · FukuokaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), CherryToki No KokuinKome (rice) · MieStart with Oolong tea, CherryTokuchu Bakusei AmakusaMugi (barley) · KumamotoStart with Mugicha (barley tea), LemonTokuchu Beisei AmakusaKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Oolong tea, LemonTokujo Taimei Barley ShochuMugi (barley) · OitaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitTokusen AmakusaKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Oolong tea, ChamomileToppai Barley Shochu 20 degreesMugi (barley) · OitaStart with Ginger ale, GrapefruitToppai Barley Shochu 25 degreesMugi (barley) · OitaStart with Ginger ale, GrapefruitTorikaiKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Oolong tea, LemonToyonagaKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Oolong tea, LemonToyonaga "Okukuma"Kome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Hot water (oyuwari), LemonTsukumo Rice ShochuKome (rice) · KochiStart with Oolong tea, LemonTsukushi KuroMugi (barley) · FukuokaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitTsukushi ShiroMugi (barley) · FukuokaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitTsushima YamanekoMugi (barley) · NagasakiStart with Mugicha (barley tea), CucumberTsutsumi 'Taru' 12 Year Sherry Cask ShochuKome (rice) · KumamotoStart with Oolong tea, CherryUsuhaneMugi (barley) · FukuokaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitWakamugiMugi (barley) · MiyazakiStart with Mugicha (barley tea), CucumberWatanabe Shochu Bros 'Mugi' Barley ShochuMugi (barley) · MiyazakiStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitYama no MoriMugi (barley) · NagasakiStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitYamaneko PremiumMugi (barley) · NagasakiStart with Mugicha (barley tea), CherryYamasemi Rice ShochuKome (rice) · MiyazakiStart with Oolong tea, ChamomileYanagita 'Aokage 24' Barley ShochuMugi (barley) · MiyazakiStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitYanagita Mizunara Barley ShochuMugi (barley) · MiyazakiStart with Ginger ale, CherryYataro Rice ShochuKome (rice) · KanagawaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), CucumberYokaichi Mugi Honkaku Barley ShochuMugi (barley)Start with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitYokappeKome (rice) · IbarakiStart with Mugicha (barley tea), CucumberYufuin Black Label Barley ShochuMugi (barley) · OitaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), GrapefruitYufuin White Label Barley ShochuMugi (barley) · OitaStart with Mugicha (barley tea), Grapefruit
Sources
A substitution is our judgement, not a fact, and you are invited to disagree with it. The citations below are for the facts it rests on.