9.30.25 | KANPAI !
Becca and I were recently gifted a very nice bottle of sake. Only a few weeks prior had been gifted a very nice ceramic sake set. I don't know where everyone got the idea that we were sake fanatics — we aren't — but I'm willing to give it a try.
When we got an invite to a friend’s home for a small dinner party, we decided to bring the bottle and sake set with us. This was a nice bottle, meant for sharing, so when the opportunity arose we jumped at it.
Then I realized that I know very little about sake and even less about the ceremony surrounding the drinking of said sake, so I started looking into it. The first thing I looked up was the temperature. I have only ever had sake warm, but what I read suggested that for this setting and this style of sake it should be served chilled, so we settled on 50 degrees. The second thing I researched was how to cheers.
KANPAI !
Kanpai is the traditional toast when drinking sake. Any quick google will give you this information, but as I kept digging, I found out some manners you may want to adhere to when you're next drinking sake.
You should pour everyone's glasses and then allow someone to pour for you.
You should look everyone in the eye and say Kanpai before clinking glasses.
Lastly, to show respect to a boss or someone your elder, clink with your rim lower than the rim of their glass.
Truthfully, I kind of love the pomp and circumstance that goes with this drink. It's got some history, it's got rules, it's got some panache. I love a drink with pomp and panache. Set my absinthe on fire or drip it from a brouilleur. Pour Cava directly into my mouth from a porron while standing on a wobbly chair. There are some traditions you should just adhere to. Wearing seersucker to see the ponies, drink a Sazerac when you're in New Orleans. Some traditions are just fun. For a guy who has fought to bend or even break the rules throughout my life, sometimes the rules and traditions are meant to stand.
So we showed up with the chilled bottle and the tiny glasses, popped the top, I poured a round, Becca poured for me, and we sat in the lounge and enjoyed the sake with friends. We sipped, cheered and clinked and downed our shared bottle among friends.
So wherever you’re drinking — Amsterdam, Barcelona, Japan, your friends' living room — enjoy the company, enjoy the tradition, and Kanpai! Cheers! Chin chin!, Salud!
—Matt