How to Make Natural Sake Cups

Sake, the Japanese wine made from fermented rice, is traditionally served warm in small ceramic cups. For a different twist, serve it chilled in cool cucumber cups.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cucumbers or Japanese cucumbers
• Sake
• Kitchen knife
• Apple corer or paring knife

1. Japanese cucumbers have less pulp and seeds. They make cleaner cups. Slice both ends off a cucumber, then slice it crosswise into 2-inch sections.

2. Stand each section on its base. Slice sides from top to bottom, squaring the section; reserve skin.

3. With an apple corer or paring knife, hollow out the center, leaving 1/2 inch at the bottom so the sake will not leak out.

4. Repeat with as many sections and cucumbers as desired. Cut reserved cucumber into matchsticks; dip into sake, and sprinkle with some salt to bring out the sake's sweetness.

Tips & Warnings

• Substitute sake with vodka or tequila.
• Sake is not meant to be sipped, but downed in one shot.