Yuzu is a naturally occurring hybrid of a mandarin and a Chinese citrus known as Ichang papeda (宜昌橙). It grew wild in parts of Tibet and central China before being introduced to Japan during the Nara Period (710–794), where it quickly became a mainstay of the country’s cuisine.

Known for its fragrant, oleaginous peel and the sharp astringency of its juice, yuzu is rich, complex, and often compared to a blend of lemon, mandarin, and grapefruit. Both the juice and peel are highly sought after in Asian cooking. The intensely aromatic rind is used to perfume winter dishes such as hotpots, soups, and curries, while the juice is famously combined with soy sauce to make ponzu.

Today, yuzu is grown commercially in Japan, Korea, and China, and even as far afield as Italy, Spain, Australia, and California. The finest yuzu comes from the southern coast of Shikoku Island, in Kochi Prefecture, Japan, where the Strawberry Yuzushu story begins.

Yuzushu is a bright, refreshing, and tangy aperitif made by infusing fresh yuzu juice with sake. We’ve taken it a step further with our Strawberry Yuzushu, crafted from premium yuzu juice sourced from Kochi, freshly brewed raw sake (namazake, 生酒), and whole Beni Hoppe strawberries from Fukuoka. The result is a decadent, fruit-forward aperitif with a delicate citrus lift.

Serve chilled for an irresistibly moreish aperitif, mix into your favourite strawberry cocktail, or top with prosecco for a vibrant spritz.

Real strawberries only are used in Strawberry Yuzushu which create the natural pink colouring! It is also why you will find some sediment & fruit pulp sitting at the bottom or floating at the top of your bottle.

There are 4.5 standard drinks in a 720ml bottle of Strawberry Yuzushu.

Fresh sake. Kitajima’s own namazake made using the Kimoto starter method from Shiga-grown grown Nihonbare, Kinuhikari, and Aki no Uta rice varieties with a polishing ratio of 70%.

We recommend to store in a cool, dark, dry place like a pantry or cupboard. It does not like direct sunshine, so avoid a windowsill. You don't need to refrigerate until opened.

Unopened and stored correctly it will last 12-18 months but we've stored bottles much longer. It's been pasteurised, and yuzu contains a higher amount of citric acid than lemons, which helps with shelf life. That said, it’s still a natural product with no additives or preservatives so it won’t last forever.

We recommend to drink within 1 month once opened. Refrigerate after opening.

Yes, shake vigorously to recombine the fine pulp particles that have settled on top or bottom.

Yes and yes!

No. It's additive and preservative free. It's been pasteurised, plus yuzu naturally contains around four-times the citric acid of lemons.

No.

Yes, a small amount of sugar is used in our recipe to balance the natural tartness of the fresh strawberries. It is the only other ingredient.

We recommend serving chilled. Drink it neat, over ice, or with soda. Make a Summer Spritz with your favourite Aussie Sparkling (we recommend a Brut / Extra Brut for balance), add a splash to a gin and soda for a Strawberry Yuzu Collins, or use it in your favourite strawberry themed cocktails.

It's made by Kitajima Sake Brewery from Shiga prefecture, Japan. Founded in 1805, on the famous Tokaido Street, which connects Edo (modern Tokyo) and Kyoto, Kitajima has a rich history and tradition dating back 14 generations. In the early days of the brewery they would be frequented by travelling Samurai, Daimyo (provincial kings) and merchants who came to try the best sake in Shiga.

Their current president, Teruhito Kitajima, was employed as a brewer at Australia's very first sake brewery, Sun Masamune in Penrith, New South Wales, which operated from 1996 – 2021 brewing sake under the acclaimed Go-Shu brand with Australian-grown Japonica rice and pure water sourced from the Blue Mountains. 

Kitajima Brewery welcomes visitors from Australia.

No. We are wholesale distributors and only sell to direct to bars, restaurants and bottle shops. Please use our bottle shop finder above to see where your closest stockist is, and if your local bottle shop doesn't have it on the shelf, tell them to contact us or send them a link to this page!

Please find your nearest independent bottle shop on our website and order from them, or if your local doesn't have it available have them get in touch with us!

Simply fill out the form in the section above and we'll send you a price list (wholesale enquiries only please) and be in touch!