< back to Blog home
By
Devn Ratz

8 Types of Sake: Sparkling Sake from Sweet to Classic, Dry and Crisp

Table of Contents
Thank you! Check your inbox for details.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

As the national beverage, Japanese sake has represented tradition, sophistication, and cultural heritage for 1,500 years. For expensive and happy-hour wine list, sparkling sake types are graded as “premium” or “basic.” 

Basic varieties hold a two-third’s majority for sake sales, a fast-growing global wine trend. Nevertheless, premium sake carries higher esteem, recognition, and pricepoint per bottle. Like sake vs. soju, the approaches appeal to different customers.

Despite their grade, sake wine enthusiasts encounter two flavor profiles (sweet or dry) and two styles (unique or traditional. Find the right buy for your bar or restaurant with our guide to 8 tell-tale types of sparkling sake.

Key Takeaway: Sparkling sake types show the wide appeal of Japanese rice wine on the world stage, offering unique, sweet, dry, and classic experiences for any occasion. 
From sparkling sake, go deeper into the world of wine with our guide to countless special varieties and unique flavors.

Fruity & Sweet

Sweet sparkling sake appeals to the modern consumer who desires an easy, casual drinking experience—a fun, freeing dessert wine. For them, the ideal sake is only serious about delicious flavor. They even soften themselves for the body with 5% ABV, lower than most alcohol content for sake.

Likewise, you’ll see sweet sake packaged to communicate its light-hearted personality toward social engagements. They sport bold, bright, and purposeful cheerful colors to attract buyers eager for refreshing moments and tasty alcoholic beverages. They’re perfect for the spring or summer wine promotion.

Mirroring the traditions of champagne, the fruit-forward sparkling sake pairs beautifully with miniature cakes, soft cookies, and rice pudding. Starting our list, these personable little potions taste right to those open-minded customers feeling “ready to try something new—why not?” 

1. Mio Sparkling Sake (5% ABV)

  • Smells like pears, apples, and leaves
  • Notes of vanilla, mango, and blackberry
  • Feels light, airy, and smooth on the tongue

2. Hana Fuga Sake (7% ABV)

  • Smells like fresh peach juice
  • Notes of sweet fruitiness
  • Feels light and refreshing

Crisp & Dry 

Brut in style, but not big on sugar—the crisp wit of the dry sparkling sake gently whispers “premium” to booming effect. The more traditional, high-quality brews in this category may not need to raise their voice to energize customers with a grateful mood. 

Instead, the dry sparkling sake is dutiful about delivering an exceptional experience alongside the subtleties of artisan bread, tender crab, and half-shell oysters. With their umami, brands bottle these types of sake by donning the tones, materials, and silhouettes of Japanese tradition. 

Precise packaging, elegant glass, natural hues, and delicate type speak the language of timeless quality. Intentional about high sophistication and elevated pricepoints, dry, crisp sparkling sake shows its strong grasp of diversity in the global alcohol market.

3. Junmai Sparkling Sake (15% ABV)

  • Smells fresh and citrusy
  • Notes of lemon, peach, and banana
  • Feels clear like sharp citrus

4. Awa Yuki Sake (5% ABV)

  • Smells like sliced cucumber
  • Notes of pineapple and marshmallow
  • Feels fizzy and fresh

Unique & Innovative

Taking a sharp turn—the more boisterous sake is known for its creative fusions of flavor, design, and cultural influence. These bold sparkling sake types are not marketed to only compete in the wine aisle. They use frosted bottles, metallic foil, and geometric prints to attract the eyes of tequila, champagne, and craft gin drinkers.

New twists in sake flavors, the wine’s production, and bottle presentation prove the alcohol’s ability to adapt its deep cultural heritage in Japan to the preferences of global consumers. In braver products, producers add a jelly-like texture to sparkling sake, pushing an almost youthful departure from traditional types of sake.

An interesting note about these unique, niche types of sparkling sake seems to be their clever sleight of hand. These bottles and flavors seem to use the right balance of conspicuously Eastern elements to attract a Western audience. Advocates of “true” and time-tested sake are unlikely to be equally charmed.

5. Hou Hou Shu Sparkling Sake (10% ABV)

  • Smells like cream soda
  • Notes of peach and sweet yogurt
  • Feels smooth and soft

6. Ozeki Ikizu Jelly Sake (5% ABV)

  • Smells like sweet fruit slices
  • Notes of sweet, peach-like florals
  • Feels refreshing, cool jello

Classic & Traditional

Sparkling sake that ties itself to classic flavors and traditional forms are not created by adding bubbles. Some sake producers do this, adding artificial carbonation to sake fermented in the same way century’s old traditions would demand. But, unlike these tricky traditional brands, truly classic sparkling sake is fermented to give its brew a naturally bubbly effect.

Like some methods of creating champagne, traditional sparkling sake uses official “Amasake” labeling to distinguish itself from imitators one and for all. While some are crisp, dry, and refined like other brands on our list, they usually offer a much higher alcohol content (between 15 to 20% ABV). 

Because of this bite, they pair well with a variety of cheeses, meats, and other savory cuisine. Despite avoiding any shortcuts in the production of sparkling sake, traditional types of sake bring surprising versatility. Unlike many staunch wines or bitter spirits, their classic appeal doesn’t seem to pain its accessibility.

7. Gekkeikan Zipang Sake

  • Smells clear and crisp
  • Notes of lemon and banana
  • Feels bright like fresh citrus

8. Daisai 45 Sparkling Sake

  • Smells like melon and green apples
  • Notes of citrus and milk
  • Feels smooth and creamy
Sparkling sake delights customers, and a BinWise demo delights bar and restaurant owners who want streamlined operations.

Frequently Asked Questions for Sparkling Sake Types

Sparkling sake—out of all types of sake—is one of the more diverse categories of rice wine. This means bar managers and restaurant owners have many questions about its place in their inventory or menu. 

Find out how the types of sparkling sake, its taste, experience, and similarities connect to appeal to all kinds of business owners and consumers. 

What are four types of sparkling sake?

In flavor profile, sake is mostly sweet and fruity or dry and crisp. Either one might be an innovative, unique sake brand or fit a more traditional, classic style.

Like sparkling wine, sake can also be sweet in flavor and traditional in production. But, other brands may taste dry and crisp while still introducing something new to the global market for Japanese sake. 

What does sparkling sake taste like?

Mostly, sparkling sake is fruity and floral with frequent notes of peach, plum, apple, and pear giving them a gentle, organic aroma. 

Others can be more suited to heavy fare, pairing buttery foods with touches of umami (especially if you incorporate cooking sake or substitutes). Beside a natural or rich depth, sparkling sake’s carbonation adds a sensational element and celebratory texture to the 2 oz. sake glass.

However, it is much faster for bubbly sake to go bad before others even for the best sake brands.

How should you serve sparkling sake?

Sparkling sake, like any bubbly sake cocktail recipe, should be served chilled at a brisk 35 to 45 degrees on average. (Refrigerate each type when opened before the sake goes bad.)

Bars and restaurants can elevate the drink’s lovely bounce and sweetness with slices of fresh fruit, chilled glassware, or zested citrus. 

Is sparkling sake like champagne or prosecco?

Sparkling sake shares its bubbly nature with prosecco and in-bottle fermentation with champagnes. Neither is produced solely from rice or restricted to water naturally sourced only within Japan.

Whether you need fresh drinks like sparkling sake or new strategies for bar operations, expert resources from BinWise can help.
Book a Demo
Reduce inventory counting time by as much as 85%. Schedule a demo now:
By submitting, you agree to allow BlueCart and partners to contact you via phone, text, email, and automated methods,
including numbers on Do Not Call lists. See Privacy Policy.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.