How to Make Sakura Burst – A Floral, Fizzy Cocktail with Cherry Blossom and Shochu

If you’re a fan of delicate, floral flavours with a citrusy kick, Sakura Burst is a drink you’ll want to sip on slow. This cocktail takes its name from the iconic Sakura flower, also known as Cherry Blossom which can be seen as a symbol of renewal, beauty, and the fleeting nature of life in Japanese culture.

Every spring, cherry blossoms bloom across Japan, covering streets and parks in soft pink petals. But the Sakura isn’t just something to look at — it’s also been used in teas, desserts, and spirits for centuries. In this cocktail, it’s captured in a house-made syrup that brings subtle floral sweetness to every sip.

The base of this drink is Shochu, a Japanese spirit that’s smooth, low in alcohol, and often compared to vodka. Don’t have Shochu? No problem — vodka makes a great substitute. The cocktail is then topped with Yuzu soda, a citrusy fizz that lifts the whole drink and makes it refreshingly light.

Sakura Burst is soft, sparkling, and quietly powerful — just like the flower (and the anime queen) that inspired it. And while this version leans into floral beauty, stay tuned for its bold remix: Sakura Smash. Whether you’re into anime aesthetics or just want something elegant and different, Sakura Burst delivers.

Ingredients

• 35ml Shochu (or Vodka)

• 20ml Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Syrup

• 15ml Lemon Juice

• Top with Yuzu Soda

• Garnish: Sakura Petal (optional)

How to Make Sakura Burst – Step by Step

1. Make your Sakura syrup

• Combine Sakura powder and sugar in a 1:1 ratio.

• Add hot water and stir until everything is dissolved.

• Cool the syrup and store it in a squeezy bottle — it lasts up to 1 month refrigerated.

2. Prep your glass

• Rim your highball glass with Sakura syrup and a little Sakura powder for an extra floral touch.

3. Build your cocktail

• Add Shochu (or vodka), Sakura syrup, and lemon juice to a shaker with ice.

• Shake well for 10–15 seconds until chilled.

4. Strain and top

• Strain the mix into your rimmed highball glass filled with ice.

• Top with Yuzu soda.

5. Garnish

• Add a Sakura petal on top if you’ve got one — totally optional but it ties everything together visually.

Moe’s Tip

Yuzu soda isn’t always easy to track down. Your best bet? Head to your local East Asian supermarket, they usually have a few varieties in stock. And if not, a splash of lemon soda with a dash of yuzu juice can do the job in a pinch.

🎥 Want to watch it being made?

Catch the full cocktail video on Instagram @moestavern_12

Explore more original cocktails at moestavernbar.com.