Cherry Blossoms have always intrigued me; they are beautiful, delicate, cultural and symbolic. One of my favorite scenes in the movie Memoirs of a Geisha is at the end when Sayuri and the Chairman meet near a pond surrounded by myriad cherry blossoms. The amazing cinematography in the movie enhanced the beauty of the cinematic surroundings, but there's no denying that the soft pink and white blossoms made the their moment even more magical and meaningful.
Captivated by it's colors and brushwork, I purchased a print from ebay awhile back by artist Yokoyama Taikan called Cherry Blossoms at Night that shows Sakura (cherry blossom trees) illuminated in the dark sky by surrounding camp fires. After some research online, I discovered the artist's name was actually a pseudonym for a major figure in pre-World War II Japanese painting, Sakai Hidemaro. Yokoyama's artistic career was legendary in his day and he left a legacy of work that honors it (with special attention to cherry blossoms).
I wanted a drink that captured the spirit of Sakura, so I created my last cocktail: The Cherry Blossom. I used fresh Farmers Market cherries and Nigori Sake, along with a few other ingredients to make this drink and I hope you love it. Kanpai!
Muddle cherries with grenadine in your Premium Cocktail Shaker Set - 24 oz Stainless Steel
