1.
amazake, sweet rice drink
A traditional Japanese sweet drink made from fermented rice or sake lees (酒粕). It has a thick, slightly sweet, porridge-like consistency and is served either hot or cold.
甘酒を飲んだ。
I drank some amazake.
冬になると温かい甘酒が恋しくなる。
When winter comes, I start craving warm amazake.
初詣の帰りに神社で甘酒をふるまわれた。
On the way back from the New Year's shrine visit, we were served amazake at the shrine.
CULTURE:
Amazake is closely associated with winter and New Year's celebrations. It is commonly served at shrines during 初詣 (New Year's visit) and at 雛祭り (Doll Festival, March 3). Despite the name containing 酒 (alcohol), the 米麹 (rice malt) version is non-alcoholic and safe for children. The 酒粕 (sake lees) version does contain a small amount of alcohol.
VARIETIES:
- 米麹甘酒: made from rice malt, naturally sweet, non-alcoholic
- 酒粕甘酒: made from sake lees, slightly alcoholic
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 甘酒を飲む: to drink amazake
- 甘酒をふるまう: to serve amazake
- 手作り甘酒: homemade amazake