My first sake bomb experience was when I was 18 years old. I was a freshman in college and sake bombing was all the rage amongst my peers. Not yet being of legal drinking age, there were few places in the city where my friends and I could count on a good drink without a good ID. A little sushi restaurant with a hidden back room was one such establishment where the question “May I see your ID?” usually went unasked.
One Friday night, a large group of us under-agers decided to try the famed sake bombs at this restaurant. The origins of the sake bomb are unknown, but they are far from an ancient Japanese tradition. In fact, most Japanese sake-lovers would probably turn their nose up at the idea of a sake bomb, the way a wine-connoisseur would never entertain the idea of chugging a shot of chardonnay mixed with cheap beer. Nevertheless, the sake bomb has become a fun American tradition, and has spawned other great drinks, like the popular Jägerbomb (Jägermeister and Red Bull).
We took a city bus to get to a quiet part of town filled with Asian restaurants and markets. Shuffling nervously into the restaurant, a brave member of our group said to the tiny female restaurant-owner “We’re here for some sake bombing.” She nodded quickly and ushered us upstairs and into a curtained off room.
We sat on our knees on the floor around a large low table. Some of us ordered sushi and miso soup, and we all ordered sake bombs. Moments later, a waiter brought giant bottles of beer to the table along with warm bottles of sake. As a first-timer, I followed the lead of one of my experienced table-mates. It wasn’t hard to do. We assembled the sake bombs, chanted, pounded and chugged! Beer and sake got everywhere; on my face and shirt, in my hair, and all over the table. This all added to the fun, believe it or not. We stumbled home happily buzzed, full of delicious food and drink.
Now that I am of legal age, sake bombing is still a fun experience. They are great fun to order in sushi restaurants, but not all places will serve them. Did I mention they’re a mess? They’re also pretty loud. So call ahead to some sushi places in your area to see if they serve sake bombs. If you can’t find a local establishment serving up the fun, have some friends over to sake bomb at home. They are simple to assemble, just follow these simple directions.
How to make your own sake bomb:
Setting Up
First fill a tall glass about half full of beer. The type of beer is unimportant. You could go for an Asian import, but due to the rapidness at which your concoction will be chugged, it doesn’t really matter. The main important thing about the beer is that it be a lighter brew so it blends well with the sake. And don’t overfill the glass!
Next, fill a shot glass with warm sake. Again, it doesn’t need to be any particular brand as it will be chugged quickly.
Assembling the “Bomb”
Place two chopsticks over the glass of beer about an inch apart. Carefully balance the shot glass of sake on top of the chopsticks.
Ichi… ni… san… SAKE BOMB!
Countdown time! It is important for everyone to sake bomb at the same time. Countdown, “three, two, one,” in Japanese is “ichi, ni, san.” After the word “san,” everyone shouts “SAKE BOMB!” and pounds the table with their fists, causing a chain reaction of the warm shots falling into the cold beer. Don’t hesitate; immediately grab your fizzing glass and chug it as quickly as possible. The shot glass falls to the bottom of the cup and will not be an obstacle. The beer and sake blend together and form a delightful flavor.
Repeat if desired until everyone has their fill.
