Have you ever wanted a warm, delicious, and nutritious drink on a cold winter morning? If so, why not try amazake, a gently sweet traditional Japanese drink? It warms your body and is perfect for a morning pick-me-up or a relaxing evening. Plus, it’s packed with nutrients! With amazake concentrate, you can prepare it in no time.
While amazake concentrate can be used in various recipes, nothing beats drinking it as is for that simple, comforting feeling.
What is Amazake?
Amazake is a traditional Japanese fermented drink made from rice and rice malt (koji). It is rich in nutrients such as glucose, B vitamins, amino acids, and dietary fiber, and is sometimes called “drinkable IV” for its nourishing qualities. It is believed to be good for beauty and fatigue recovery. Its natural sweetness comes from the starch in rice being broken down by the koji.
The history of amazake goes back centuries, even to the Kofun period, and it is recorded in the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan). During the Heian period, it was enjoyed by the aristocracy and gradually spread to the general public. Today, it is gaining attention as a health drink.
For some people, amazake is a daily beverage, but for me, it feels a bit special—like the warm drink we share with family at a shrine during New Year’s visits. The hot amazake served at shrines on cold winter days warms both body and spirit. Drinking amazake at the start of the year is considered a lucky custom to wish for good health and ward off evil. There is also a belief that rice is a gift from the gods, so offerings of amazake are made as a token of gratitude for last year’s harvest and to pray for a good harvest in the coming year.
Ingredients (1 cup)
- Amazake concentrate … 3–4 tablespoons
- Hot water … 120–140 ml (around 70°C / 158°F)
- Optional … grated ginger or cinnamon
Instructions
- Pour the amazake concentrate into a cup.
- Add the hot water.
- Stir with a spoon.
- Optionally, mix in grated ginger or sprinkle a little cinnamon.
Tips
- Avoid using boiling water; it can diminish the flavor of the amazake.
- Adjust the amount of water to your preference: less water makes a richer drink, while more water makes it lighter and easier to sip.
Summary
How was that? This simple amazake drink is quick to make, and the pre-sweetened concentrate we used provided a pleasantly sweet, comforting flavor. It’s a wonderful way to start a cold winter morning feeling warm and energized.
As an alternative, you can substitute hot water with milk or soy milk for a creamier version. In the summer, serving it chilled is also recommended.
Amazake can also be used as a sweetener in cooking or desserts. I’ve tried a few different ways, but drinking it hot and plain is still the most comforting and delicious way in my opinion.
Recommended Product
Amazake concentrate
The one used in this post is from Yukifuki Koji-ten, a koji shop in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture. Its ingredients are simple: rice malt, domestic rice, and sugar. The gentle sweetness makes it very easy to drink.
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