The scene
Suzu's wish has finally come true and it's time to pick ume from the old ume tree in the garden. As the first-timer (and the smallest and nimblest) she gets the honor of climbing up the tree.
The sisters' grandfather planted the tree 55 years ago when their mother was born, so it is getting somewhat old and there's less fruit every year. However, there's still enough for the sisters themselves, their grand-aunt and the neighbours too.
The sisters clean up the fruit and poke holes in them in the shape of the first syllable of their names: さ (sa) for Sachi, す (su) for Suzu, ち (chi) for Chika and よ (yo) for Yoshino.
The phone then rings. It's grand-aunt Fumiyo who informs the sisters that their mother is coming to Kamakura.
Umeshu soda-wari and cooler
No umeshu gets actually drunk in this scene but I thought to feature two basic drinks using it here. I already emptied the Choya bottle so I'll be using the slightly more affordable Ninki umeshu from now on.
Umeshu soda-wari
Soda-wari means a drink cut with soda water (mizuwari means cut with plain water). Fill a glass with ice and then just mix equal parts of umeshu and soda water or adjust the amounts to your liking. Aside from the amounts of the two ingredients, you could also adjust the amount of carbonation by using different soda waters with different levels of carbonation.
Simple enough! This is a great way to enjoy umeshu since on its own it can be quite sweet depending on your tastes, but the soda cuts the sweetness somewhat and the carbonation makes it even more refreshing than umeshu on the rocks already is.
Umeshu cooler
Here's another quick and easy umeshu drink found on the Cocktail Party app/website. Just mix equal parts of your choice of umeshu and lemon soda. I went with a fancy organic lemon soda.
I forgot the lemon wheel.
Another great, easy way to enjoy your umeshu. Since the lemon soda is by itself sweet, it doesn't cut the sweetness of the umeshu quite as much as the soda water, but it does add a pleasantly sour lemon note to it along with the carbonation.
Give both of them a try!
Recipes
Umeshu cooler: Cocktail Party
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