The story behind Hana
Hana comes out of Berkeley, California, where Takara Shuzo has brewed sake since 1983, one of the first Japanese houses to make it on American soil. The parent company dates to Kyoto in 1842. The base is Calrose rice from the Sacramento Valley and snowmelt off the Sierra Nevada, put through traditional multiple parallel fermentation with koji and yeast working at once.
Then it gets filtered, brought down to 8 percent alcohol, and infused with real fruit. No sulfites, no preservatives, gluten free, Kosher certified. We have poured these bottles for years to people who wanted something lighter than nihonshu and sweeter than a cocktail.
Explore the Hana range
Five expressions, all 8 percent alcohol, all screwcap, all built for a chill. The lychee is the one that moves fastest off our shelf.
| Expression | Type | Proof / ABV | Tasting notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hana Lychee 375mL | Fruit infused sake | 16 proof | Exotic floral nose, lychee, yellow peach, soft lemon lime |
| Hana Lychee 750mL | Fruit infused sake | 16 proof | Same bright lychee palate, larger pour for a table |
| Hana Fuji Apple 750mL | Fruit infused sake | 16 proof | Crisp tartness, apple skin, marzipan, white chocolate |
| Hana White Peach 750mL | Fruit infused sake | 16 proof | Ripe white peach and cream, full, delicately sweet |
| Hana Plum 750mL | Fruit infused sake | 16 proof | Soft plum, gentle sweetness, clean finish |
| Hana Sparkling Peach 250mL 4 pack | Sparkling sake | 11 proof | Lively bubbles, light peach, low alcohol |
Which Hana is right for you?
Hana sits in the value tier, which is part of why it sells. The 375mL lychee is $7.99, an easy bottle to try without committing. The 750mL line runs $10.99 for Lychee, Fuji Apple and White Peach, and $12.99 for Plum. Compare that to a bottle of imported nihonshu and you see the point. Buy Hana sake online or walk in and grab it cold from the case at 1171 Jericho Turnpike.
Peaches and cream weight that stands up to fruit tarts and a late morning table.
Floral sweetness cools Thai and Sichuan heat better than a high proof pour.
8 percent, chilled over ice, gentle enough for a long afternoon.
Hana cocktails and pairings
Chill it to about 40 to 50 degrees, pour it in a white wine glass or over ice. It works as a low alcohol stand in for vermouth or triple sec.