Hello everyone,
My name is Ishibashi, and I am the store manager of Choya Kyoto, a shop dedicated to the ume-making experience.

Although I personally prefer umeshu with gin, I also love creating new variations of ume syrup and always enjoy developing seasonal recipes for our special ume experience.

For me, one of the most important elements in recipe creation is seasonality.
This time, I’d like to share recipes featuring two types of grapes that are in season right now.

Reset after coming home: Fully-ripened Nanko × Pione Soda

Even though September has arrived and autumn is approaching, the lingering heat of late summer can still be intense.

After coming home from work, it’s not always easy to switch off right away when your body is sweaty and tired.

How about refreshing yourself with a soda made from ume syrup infused with Pione grapes, filling your senses with their sweet aroma?

For this recipe, I pair Pione grapes with ume syrup made from Fully-ripened Nanko × Konpeito, known for its peach-like, fruity aroma.

The sweet fragrance of Pione and the refreshing acidity of Fully-ripened Nanko are a perfect match. When enjoyed as a soda, the rich flavor of the syrup helps reset both body and mind after a long day.

 【Recipe】

• 120cc ume syrup (Fully-ripened Nanko × Konpeito, Choya Ume Kit Medium size)

• 3 Pione grapes
  

Cut the grapes in half and soak them in the ume syrup for 2 days.
Mix the ume syrup with soda at a ratio of 1:4.

After a bath: Oshuku × Shine Muscat Soda

Instead of reaching for a beer after your bath, why not enjoy a healthier and refreshing option—ume syrup soda with Shine Muscat grapes?

For this pairing, I recommend ume syrup made with Oshuku × Organic agave syrup, which has a clean and light flavor with no bitterness.

The mild acidity and elegant sweetness of Shine Muscat match beautifully with the syrup, creating a crisp soda that’s perfect for hydration and a vitamin boost before bedtime.

【Recipe】

• 120cc ume syrup (Oshuku × Organic agave syrup, Choya Ume Kit Medium size)

• 3 Shine Muscat grapes

Cut the grapes in half and soak them in the ume syrup for 2 days.
Mix the ume syrup with soda at a ratio of 1:4.

In Japan, we are blessed with four distinct seasons, and I look forward to sharing ways to enjoy ume throughout the year. I hope to continue introducing recipes and ideas regularly—please stay tuned!