Shochu

Literally meaning fiery spirits, shochu is a distilled spirit made from rice and a mixture of various other grains or even, at times, sweet potatoes. It was initially considered a low-class beverage in Japan but recently shochu has become more fashionable, particularly among the young. The alcohol content is quite high, 20-25 per cent, and some varieties are as high as 45 per cent, so it is normally drunk diluted with a little hot or cold water, depending on the season.