Halloween Candy and Sake Pairing Guide

Have some extra Halloween candy? Try out these sake pairings below!

Hersey’s and Koshu

Koshu, or aged sake, is a great compliment to chocolate. The aging process typically brings out a roasted cocoa note that layers with the actual chocolate. They typically have enough body and intensity as well.

Example: Hanahato Kijoshu Koshu 8 Year

Twizzlers and Nigori

Nigori, or sake with some rice particles, surprisingly works well with Twizzlers. The cherry notes combine with the starchy, ricey astringency from the nigori to resemble a cherry pastry.

Example: Senkin Snowman

Candy Corn and Kijoshu

Candy corn’s main flavoring is honey, and kijoshu mirrors that perfectly. Kijoshu, or sweet sake, is made by replacing part of the water used to brew sake with already-made sake. This typically results in a sweet brew with notes of honey and stone fruit. The sweetness lets it hold up to the intense sweetness of the candy corn.

Example: Hakkaisan Kijoshu

Reese’s Pieces and Umeshu

Peanut butter and jelly! The peanut butter in the Reese’s, combined with the plum flavor from the umeshu, is the perfect pairing. Look for an umeshu with sake as its base and made with real plum - it makes a big difference.

Example: Nanbu Bijin Umeshu

Starbust and Daiginjo

Tropical fruit layered on tropical fruit. Look for a modern-style daiginjo (or juunmai daiginjo) here with some tropical fruit notes. The herbal notes also compliment the starburst perfectly as well.

Example: Hououbiden Asahi Mai