Unapologetic chick drink of the week: Tsuru-ume Yuzu
Bottles of fruity liquers at Tsubaki are a favorite of female patrons. Ichigo strawberry (right) will have to wait till another installment of this series. Tsuru-ume liqueurs (www.tsuru-ume.com) have been made for hundreds of years the LOHAS ('lifestyles Of health And sustainability') way. Farmers in the Tsuru-ume region of the Wakayama Prefecture manufacture their liqueurs through a method that guarantees the sustainability of future production.
Of the several ume-shus (plum liqueurs) and other liqueurs Tsuru-ume produces, their yuzu-shu (yuzu citrus liqueur) is a fine example of their craft. Tsuru-ume's yuzu-shu is made from Wakayama Yuzu and sake. The citrus taste is not intrusive, as lemon liqueurs can be, and not as sweet as some syrupy girly drinks. The zingy taste is a great way to reenergize after a long day at the office.
Tsubaki (1-14-10 Nishihara, Shibuya-ku, tel. 03 3466 5491, 8pm-2am, cash only) in Yoyogi-Uehara serves an excellent collection of Tsuru-ume products, including Yuzu liqueur.
