Japan (ancient origin, Nara period written records; revived as health drink in contemporary Japan)
Amazake (甘酒, 'sweet sake') is a thick, sweet, low- or zero-alcohol drink made from rice that has been fermented with koji mould (Aspergillus oryzae). It exists in two distinct forms. The traditional shio koji-style amazake is made by mixing cooked rice with rice koji and maintaining at approximately 55–60°C for 8–10 hours — the koji enzymes (amylases) break down the rice starch into glucose and maltose, producing natural sweetness without any added sugar. This version contains effectively zero alcohol. A second style is made from sake lees (sakekasu) dissolved in water with added sugar — this has a small residual alcohol content (1–3%). The rice-koji version is experiencing a major revival in Japan driven by health consciousness: it contains natural glucose, amino acids, B vitamins, and probiotics, and is sometimes called 'drinkable IV drip' (nōmukōya). Amazake is served warm in winter at shrine festivals and temple stalls (hinamatsuri, new year), cold in summer as a refreshing drink, and increasingly used as a natural sweetener in cooking to replace sugar. The flavour is mild, naturally sweet with a rice-grain sweetness, and slightly milky from the residual starch.
Mildly sweet, slightly milky, clean rice grain sweetness; warm version comforting; cold version refreshing; no strong alcohol or acidity
{"Koji-rice version: zero alcohol, natural glucose from enzyme activity at 55–60°C","Sakekasu version: dissolved sake lees with sugar; small residual alcohol content","Temperature critical for koji-rice method: 55–60°C activates amylases; above 70°C kills enzymes","8–10 hour fermentation window: taste for sweetness; stop when balanced","Festival and shrine tradition: warm amazake at winter celebrations, cold in summer"}
{"Amazake as natural sweetener: substitute for sugar in baking, marinades, and glazes at approximately 2:1 ratio","Blend finished amazake smooth then strain for elegant clear sweet drink","Add grated ginger for winter warming version — ginger's heat complements the mild sweetness","Amazake shio koji marinade: fish or chicken marinated in amazake tenderises through enzyme action"}
{"Temperature too high — enzymes denature and starch does not convert to sugars","Temperature too low — conversion is slow and risk of unwanted bacterial activity increases","Confusing the two types when cooking: sakekasu amazake has alcohol and will affect alcohol-sensitive recipes","Over-fermenting: if held too long, sour off-notes develop from lactic bacteria"}
Richie Donald, A Taste of Japan