The event, "Gorogoro, Gorohachi - Kotatsu Sakaba," is a must-see for sake lovers and was organized by Kikusui Brewery, a brewery that boasts a fine sake from Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture. Guests can enjoy the autumn/winter limited edition nigori sake "Gorohachi" in a cozy kotatsu, in a stylish cocktail style.
At Sake World, we managed to sneak into a media experience session held ahead of the event, where we got a sneak peek at the fascinating combination of "Nigori sake x cocktails x kotatsu."

Cocktails as an "entrance"

Gorohachi has been loved for over 50 years since its release in 1972. Made with 100% Niigata rice, its rich flavor and the way the grains of rice dance in your mouth have earned it many fans as a symbol of the coming of winter.

According to Hayato Sekine, marketing group manager at Kikusui Brewery, "This year, shipments began on October 15th. Now is the time for the real sake." With the weather getting colder, it is during this time that Gorohachi's true value is revealed.

However, there's more to a kotatsu bar than just enjoying seasonal cuisine.
The drink is not drunk straight, but rather as a cocktail. It is served in the perfect setting of "drinking while lounging around in a kotatsu." This is based on the idea that "because it is a long-selling product, we want people who have never tried it before to enjoy it casually."

Why Gorohachi is called "Boss"

Before the cocktail tasting, a talk session about Gorohachi itself was held. After learning about the main character's background, the drink is sure to be an exceptional one.

Next up was Keisuke Watanabe, a brewer at Kikusui Brewery. He began by saying that Gorohachi is "a powerful presence, like a boss," among Kikusui Brewery's seasonal products. When the brewing schedule begins, the brewers feel a sense of determination, thinking, "Ah, this time of year has come again."

What is particularly noteworthy about Gorohachi is the thorough attention to detail in the manufacturing process.
Normally, sake is filtered to make it clear, but Gorohachi is a cloudy sake that is not filtered in order to make the most of the mash. Therefore, it is entirely up to the human eye to check for any foreign matter or quality issues.

"The mash is poured into a large container in a thin, wide, and slow stream. Several brewers are constantly checking the process. Everything is checked visually before bottling."

Gorohachi has an alcohol content of 21%, which is high even for sake.
The reason it is not just a "strong sake" is that it has an exquisite balance of the rich sweetness and body of the rice, and a subtle acidity. This is maintained through the brewers' obsessive manual labor and love.

When Watanabe says, "I'm glad everyone was able to line up safely this year as well," one cannot help but feel an extraordinary sense of parental love.

Kotatsu, Cat and Gorohachi

In the second half of the event, Yukke Sakamura, a "writer YouTuber" with over 100 million subscribers, appeared as a special guest.

On her channel, she is often seen drinking alcohol in a lively and happy manner. On this day, she appeared wearing a retro "hanten" (traditional Japanese kimono) to match the atmosphere of the kotatsu.

"I have a kotatsu at home, too. I have four cats, so I'd love to be able to lie down and enjoy a drink with them."

Yukke's "ideal winter" is exactly the concept itself. I think many people can relate to the feeling that "time flows so slowly and you can't get out" when you sit in a kotatsu.

Yukke, who normally enjoys a variety of alcoholic drinks, had a preconceived notion that nigori sake was "something special that you drink with food at a restaurant." However, after tasting Gorohachi, which was served as a cocktail at the event, his image of nigori sake completely changed.

"I was surprised to find that I could enjoy it like a dessert by mixing it with soy milk or milk. It's easy to make at home, and it makes me feel closer to it."

As a traveler, she also noticed Gorohachi's 180ml aluminum can.

"Aluminum cans are hard to break and lightweight, so they're great to take on trips. I'm planning on going to Sapporo soon, so I'd like to enjoy the snowy scenery with Gorohachi."

He also gave it his stamp of approval for its potential as a travel companion. Just imagining drinking a rich, cloudy sake in the crisp, cold air of a snowy northern country makes my throat rumble.

Surprised by the unexpected pairings: A review of four unique cocktails

After the talk session, it was finally time for the much-anticipated tasting session. The following four types of cocktails were served at the venue.

• Snow Rabbit (mixed with milk): Gorohachi x Milk (Ice)
• Sunset glow (mixed with orange juice): Gorohachi x Orange Juice (Iced)
• Amber Latte (Caramel Latte): Gorohachi x Caramel Latte (Hot)
• Hisui Latte (Matcha and Milk): Gorohachi x Matcha Latte (Hot)

I received the cocktail, sat down in the kotatsu, and immediately tried it.
First up are the hot Amber Latte and Hisui Latte. The warmed Gorohachi has a soft alcoholic taste that blends with the aromas of caramel and matcha. The increased sweetness and warming sensation from the inside out make this an "adult latte" perfect for winter.

The writer was particularly impressed by the "Sunset Sparkle (with orange)." One sip and your doubts about "citrus in nigori sake?" are transformed into delight. The freshness of the orange makes Gorohachi even easier to drink, and the distinctive graininess of Gorohachi adds a pulpy accent.
As the brewer says, "It's 21% alcohol, so it won't be overpowered by the mixer," and even after mixing it, the rice flavor remains clear. It's easy to drink for sake beginners, and offers a "new face" for sake enthusiasts. It's so easy to drink that it's almost dangerous, but it's a drink that we hope our readers will try.

A Gorohachi arrangement for the "expert"

In addition to cocktails, the two speakers also introduced their own "expert ways of enjoying drinks." All of these can be purchased at convenience stores, making them highly reproducible.

1. Gorohachi x Beer

This is a recommended arrangement by brewer Watanabe. Pairing it with beer makes the rich carbonation of Gorohachi lighter and more fizzy, and gives it a crisper finish. "Beer has an alcohol content of around 5%, so by diluting the 21% Gorohachi, the overall alcohol content goes down, making it easier to drink. However, the unique taste and texture of Gorohachi still remains."
When I actually tried it, the richness of Gorohachi mellowed out the bitterness of the beer, giving it a rich, low-malt beer-like taste. It would also work well as a drink with a meal.

2. Gorohachi x Vanilla Ice Cream

This is a recommendation from Yukke Sakamura. It's an "affogato-style" arrangement of vanilla ice cream topped with Gorohachi.
"The gentle sweetness of the ice cream matches perfectly with the richness of Gorohachi, making it incredibly delicious. The ice cream is cold, so I think it's a great combination to have with a kotatsu." The graininess of the rice in Gorohachi and the sweetness of the koji create a sauce that transforms the vanilla ice cream into a special Japanese dessert. The sensation of the heat of the alcohol and the coldness of the ice cream melting in your mouth is truly blissful.

Enjoy more freedom

What I felt through this event was the "depth" of Gorohachi sake. Looking only at the specs of "Nigori sake" and "21% alcohol," some people might be put off by thinking it is a "strong and heavy drink." However, in reality, due to its richness and high alcohol content, it can be used on equal terms with mixers such as juice, milk, and beer, and new flavors can be created.

The "Kotatsu Bar" event was only available for three days, but anyone can recreate the experience at home. If you see Gorohachi at a supermarket or convenience store, be sure to add it to your basket along with some orange juice and ice cream. Then, why not enjoy your own "Gorogoro, Gorohachi" in the warmth of your own room?

Kikusui Brewery is currently running the "#GorogoroGorohachi" campaign. If you post with the hashtag, you'll have a chance to win a special "Gorohachi Body Pillow" (until January 11, 2026).

https://kikusui-sake.com/home/jp/lp/gorogorogorohachi/cp/

Drinking Gorohachi, getting a body pillow, and lounging around some more... Isn't this the best way to spend winter, to say the least?

Writer: Nana Naka
A freelance writer living in the Kanto region. When I'm on a business trip, my rule is to stop by a local izakaya and listen to the locals' stories while drinking local sake. X:@nanapan0728