Yuzu co*cktail Recipe | What is Yuzu Japanese Citrus | White On Ri (2024)

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by Todd + Diane

This yuzu co*cktail recipe was one of our first recipe posts back in 2009. It’s fun to see how our photography and yuzu tree has changed over the years!

Yuzu co*cktail Recipe | What is Yuzu Japanese Citrus | White On Ri (1)

What is Yuzu?

Don’t feel bad if you have never heard of this beautiful little citrus, since outside of a few Asian cuisines and particularly in Japanese cultural circles it is seldom grown or used. We’re hereto tell you that yuzu is pure culinary gold. Yuzu is a citrus that isn’t eaten straight, but is used as a souring ingredient through the use of it’s juice and zest. It’s hugely popular to serve with seafood. Yuzu juice is prized for it’s ability to stay sour and fragrant when cooked at high temperatures.

Yuzu co*cktail Recipe | What is Yuzu Japanese Citrus | White On Ri (2)

What Does Yuzu Taste Like?

Yuzu is a sour, tart and very fragrant citrus, slightly smaller than a billiard ball. The flavor is reminicent somewhere between a classic Eureka lemon and an oro blanco grapefruit, but still has its own unique fragrance and flavor. It is a bit more floral and sour and utterly wonderful. It smells so good the Japanese will use yuzu for perfumes and will ritualistically bath in yuzu during Toji (winter solstice).The juice is fantastic in our yuzu co*cktail recipe. Read all about yuzu citrus on our yuzu info pagehere.

Yuzu co*cktail Recipe | What is Yuzu Japanese Citrus | White On Ri (3)
Yuzu co*cktail Recipe | What is Yuzu Japanese Citrus | White On Ri (4)

Yuzu co*cktail Recipe

Diane had requested yuzu recipe ideas from readers and there were several fantastic ideas, however I already knew how I wanted to use our first born yuzu. A co*cktail, of course. We kept the ingredients simple so the yuzu could be highlighted and not overwhelmed by the alcohol and since there isn’t muchjuice per yuzu, but the rind is so aromatic, we muddled a whole yuzu in order to get the most out of it.The result: pure deliciousness. There will be upcoming recipes featuring the yuzu, but for now we raise our glasses and toast to one of our favorite lumpy garden orbs: Yuzu! Hope you enjoy this yuzu co*cktail recipe.

Using Bottled Yuzu Juice

We’re very lucky to have a flouring yuzu tree, but we know this is very rare. So getting your hands on fresh yuzu is difficult but there’s always the option of using bottle yuzu juice. There’s plenty of options on the market and this is a great alternative so that you can cook and drink with yuzu all year long.

Learn More about Japanese Lemons: Yuzu & Kabosu:

  • What is Yuzu? Why isYuzu so prized?What is Kabosu?differences between Kabosu and YuzuRefreshingYuzu Sherbert RecipeOur Sauteed Peas with Yuzu Kosho Recipe
Yuzu co*cktail Recipe | What is Yuzu Japanese Citrus | White On Ri (8)

Yuzu co*cktail Recipe | What is Yuzu Japanese Citrus | White On Ri (9)

Yuzu co*cktail

Yield: 1 co*cktail

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 5 minutes mins

The yuzu is extraordinary in its fragrance and beautiful floral, bright citrus flavors. It is hard to substitute anything and have it come out the same. It will just be a different co*cktail. Potentially delicious, but still different. A fresh yuzu will usually be significantly more bright than the bottled juice.

For the gin, we prefer a gin like Hendricks or Tanqueray Rangpur for this co*cktail. There are quite a few Japanese gins which work quite well in this co*cktail too.

4.50 from 14 votes

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Ingredients

  • 1 whole Yuzu (or @ 1 1/2 Tablespoons (3/4 oz.) yuzu juice)
  • 2 ounces (60ml) Gin (preferably Hendricks or similar)
  • couple dashes Vanilla Extract , optional
  • 1/2 ounce (15ml) Simple Syrup , or to taste
  • dash of orange bitters , optional
  • 2 ounces (60ml) club soda

Instructions

  • Squeeze the yuzu directly into the co*cktail shaker (helps capture the most oils from the zest). Add a 1/4 of the squeezed rind into the shaker. Add the gin, vanilla extract (optional), simple syrup, and optional bitters to the co*cktail shaker. Add ice & shake for 15-20 seconds.

  • Place ice into an old-fashion glass, strain the co*cktail over the ice, top with club soda, and gently stir. Garnish if desired.

Nutrition Information per Serving

Calories: 151kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 1g, Sodium: 13mg, Potassium: 2mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 50IU, Vitamin C: 19mg, Calcium: 23mg, Iron: 1mg

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American, Japanese

Calories: 151

Check out our co*cktail Recipes Here

  • our Complete Whiskey Guide.
  • Holiday drinks and appetizers
  • White Lady Classic co*cktail
  • Kiwi Margarita
  • Here’s more yuzu recipes to try.
    Yuzu co*cktail Recipe | What is Yuzu Japanese Citrus | White On Ri (10)

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Citrus co*cktails | Mocktails | Drinks Food Recipes

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Yuzu co*cktail Recipe | What is Yuzu Japanese Citrus | White On Ri (11)

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30 comments on “What is Japanese Yuzu? A Yuzu co*cktail Recipe”

  1. Katherine Rashell Gelat December 7, 2023 @ 6:03 am Reply

    It was a great drink. I used Hendricks Lunar in my drink.Yuzu co*cktail Recipe | What is Yuzu Japanese Citrus | White On Ri (14)

    • Todd + Diane December 7, 2023 @ 8:01 am Reply

      Thanks! So glad you liked it.
      Excited it is yuzu season again for us here. We love all the Hendricks line, but haven’t had a chance to try the Lunar yet. It may have to be our next gin grab!

  2. Hennie December 1, 2022 @ 3:31 pm Reply

    Wow, what a great co*cktail. Absolutely refreshing.Yuzu co*cktail Recipe | What is Yuzu Japanese Citrus | White On Ri (15)

  3. Jan Makarewicz December 26, 2020 @ 9:28 pm Reply

    Hi guys,
    Casual fan here. Made some of your chicken wing recipes way back when. Found this looking for good yuzu recipes. It was good. Three comments:
    I used an ounce of Monin yuzu puree instead of your suggestions. It’s weird, but the easiest way to get yuzu is in puree form these days.
    I skipped the vanilla extract. Never missed it.
    The orange bitters didn’t add anything either. Subbed them out for grapefruit bitters to good results. But really the drink worked best with no bitters at all.
    I forwarded a link to this recipe to a drink web site too. Don’t know if they’ll use it but it can’t hurt.
    Good recipe overall. Nice flavor combo with gin. Keep up the good work.Yuzu co*cktail Recipe | What is Yuzu Japanese Citrus | White On Ri (16)

    • December 27, 2020 @ 9:44 am Reply

      Hi Jan, Thanks for reaching out and we appreciate your readership over the years. Also, thanks for all the great insight and for sharing!

Leave a Reply

Yuzu co*cktail Recipe | What is Yuzu Japanese Citrus | White On Ri (2024)

FAQs

What is Japanese citrus yuzu alcohol? ›

USING ONLY SPIRITS DISTILLED FROM THE SAME LOCALLY GROWN RICE AND PRISTINE GROUNDWATER ON THE ISLAND OF KYUSHU IN SOUTHERN JAPAN, YUZURI YUZU LIQUEUR IS AN EQUALLY DISTINCT POTABLE THAT'S MATCHLESS IN BOTH ESSENCE AND TASTE. IF RICE AND WATER ARE AT THE HEART OF YUZURI, THE EXOTIC AND RARE YUZU CITRUS IS ITS SOUL.

What is Japanese citrus yuzu? ›

Yuzu is a Japanese citrus lemon that is valued for it's highly aromatic rind and Yuzu is one of the few citrus in the world that is able to maintain it's tart/sourness at high cooking temperatures. Because the yuzu is considered a citron, the juice is very minimal, thus often expensive.

What flavor is Japanese yuzu? ›

Yuzu is very sour and tastes like a mix between a tangy lemon, bitter grapefruit and sweet orange. Its tart flavor profile is underscored with hints of floral and herbal notes. Compared to other more common citrus varieties, yuzu has a powerful aroma, giving off a zesty, honeysuckle-like fragrance when ripe.

Can you get yuzu fruit in the US? ›

When selecting Melissa's Yuzu choose fairly firm fragrant fruit. Store Yuzu at room temperature for a week or two and for longer storage in the fridge or freezer. Yuzu cannot be imported into the United States, but is currently grown in California. Note: Early season Yuzu will be green.

What Japanese citrus is similar to yuzu? ›

Kabosu (臭橙)

Kabosu are closely related to yuzu and are famed for their production in Oita Prefecture. They are slightly tarter thanyuzu, with a sourness closer to that of a lemon, and are often used as an alternative to vinegar in various dishes.

What is a substitute for yuzu liqueur? ›

Kreuther has a similar approach to substituting yuzu, adding: "If you can't find yuzu, I suggest using Meyer lemon juice with a dash of grapefruit (say, 15 percent of the total volume). Buddha's Hand [another Asian citrus fruit] can also be a great one to try in yuzu's place!"

Why is yuzu so expensive? ›

Yuzu tends to be expensive due to two main factors: supply and demand, and agricultural controls. Japan grows most of the global crop, and much of this is used domestically and/or processed for juice. Much of the Korean crop is likewise processed to make preserves, which are popular for making yuja tea.

What does yuzu citrus taste like? ›

What does yuzu taste like? Like other citrus fruits, yuzu tastes bright and refreshing. “Its flavor is tart and fragrant, closely resembling that of the grapefruit, with overtones of mandarin orange,” Hung says. Ng describes it as a mix between lemon and mandarin orange, with underlying notes of lime and grapefruit.

Is yuzu more like lemon or orange? ›

Yuzu is a small, bumpy, yellow citrus fruit that looks a bit like a smaller, rounder lemon or a yellow lime. It has a tart, sour flavor and a strong scent, and it tastes like a combination of a lemon and a grapefruit.

What is the English name for yuzu fruit? ›

Yuzu (Citrus × junos, from Japanese 柚子 or ユズ; /ˈjuːzuː/) is a citrus fruit and plant in the family Rutaceae of East Asian origin. Yuzu has been cultivated mainly in East Asia, though it has also recently been grown in New Zealand, Australia, Spain, Italy, and France.

What pairs well with yuzu? ›

If used in a sauce or dressing, it can also work well with green beans, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts. For fruit combos or sweet dishes, try apricots, caramel, ginger, mangoes, and other sour citrus fruits like lemons, lime, grapefruits, and oranges (especially mandarin orange) For beverages, look to green tea.

Is yuzu safe to drink? ›

Although human studies are limited, its extracts and compounds have been linked to numerous benefits — including brain health, blood flow, and anticancer effects. Its flesh, juice, and zest can be enjoyed in many dishes, such as dressings, seasonings, teas, and drinks.

How much alcohol is in yuzu sake? ›

Category:Speciality: Fruit Sake [Yuzu Citrus]
After Opened:1 month
Polishing Ratio:-
Alcohol:8%
Food Recommendation:It is great chilled, on the rocks, or mixed into co*cktail for some refreshing zing.
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Can you drink yuzu straight? ›

Drinks. There are many ways to add yuzu flavor to your daily beverages. For example, try squeezing a few drops of yuzu juice into fresh or carbonated water the same way you would with lemon. You can also try drinking fresh yuzu juice straight as is in a shot glass (about 30ml) in the morning.

What does yuzu drink taste like? ›

What Does Yuzu Taste Like? Yuzu tastes like a cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange. It also has a light, floral sweetness. Lee describes yuzu's flavor profile as sweet, sour, bright and citrusy.

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