Glass Sake Set with Carafe, Warming Container and Four Cups, Hammered Look, 6-Piece

The good sake that is drunk from a water glass and loses half its character – when shot glasses from the cupboard are too thick-walled and there is no way to bring the bottle to drinking temperature

The bottle is in the fridge, dinner is ready, and then the sake is poured into wine glasses because there's nothing else. But especially with sake, temperature is crucial for taste: Drunk cold, it appears clear and dry; gently warmed, sweetness and cereal notes emerge – the same bottle tastes completely different in both cases. Without a suitable vessel, this cannot be controlled, and thick-walled shot glasses from the cupboard additionally change the mouthfeel. If you want to drink sake, soju, or baijiu at home as intended, you need a carafe for portioning, a vessel for tempering, and small cups. This set made of clear glass with a hammered look brings all three parts together in coordinated dimensions.

What makes this Sake Set different

• Tempering vessel for warm and cold – the carafe is placed in the wide vessel, which is filled with warm water or ice water depending on the occasion; this allows the same bottle to be served chilled and warmed, without the carafe ever being exposed to direct heat.
• Carafe with 295 ml (10.0 fl oz) capacity – this amount corresponds to approximately two rounds for four people, so that the rest of the bottle remains sealed and is not exposed to air all evening.
• Flared spout on the carafe – the outwardly extended rim cleanly breaks the stream, so nothing spills when pouring into a 50 ml vessel; especially with such small cups, this is the decisive difference from a straight bottle.
• Cups with 50 ml (1.7 fl oz) on a narrow base – the small portion is common for sake because it is drunk quickly and thus retains the set temperature; a large glass warms up in the hand before it is empty.
• Dimpled surface with hammered look – the irregular texture provides grip for the small cups, which otherwise slip between the fingers, and at the same time breaks the light, making the contents appear livelier than behind smooth glass.
• Clear glass without coloring – the color and clarity of the drink remain visible, which is part of the experience with cloudy and unfiltered varieties; ceramic vessels conceal precisely this.

Who it's for

For everyone who drinks sake at home and has previously served it from a water glass. For people who cook Asian food and are looking for the perfect finish to their meal. For soju, baijiu, shochu, and other clear spirits that are drunk in small quantities. For the home bar that previously only had whisky glasses. For dinner parties with guests where serving is part of the evening. For sushi nights, ramen rounds, and homemade gyoza. For everyone who deliberately tempers drinks and wants to experience the difference between cold and warmed. For collectors of drinking vessels and people interested in Japanese food culture. For the display cabinet or open shelf where the set can be seen. For vacation rentals and guest rooms with their own small bar. As a gift for weddings, housewarmings, Christmas, or birthdays, especially together with a bottle of sake. Important selection note: The set includes six pieces – one carafe, one tempering vessel, and four cups. A drink is not included. The vessel holds 580 ml (19.6 fl oz) at 9 cm (3.5 inches) high and is designed for the carafe, not as an ice bucket for a whole bottle. The manufacturer does not specify the type of glass. Since it is not confirmed whether it is heat-resistant borosilicate glass, moderate water temperatures should be used when warming – instructions are below.

Serving, tempering, proper cleaning

Wash and dry all parts by hand before first use. For warm serving, fill the carafe and place it in the vessel, then pour in warm, not boiling water from the outside up to about half the height of the carafe. Sake is usually warmed to about 40 to 50 °C (104 to 122 °F) – well below boiling point, because higher temperatures emphasize the alcohol and lose subtle aromas. Boiling water should also be avoided for a second reason: Without confirmed information on the glass type, a strong temperature difference can cause the glass to crack. Therefore, never place the carafe cold from the refrigerator into hot water, but first allow it to reach room temperature. For cold serving, fill the vessel with cold water and some ice cubes and place the carafe in it; the ice does not go into the sake itself, so it is not diluted. When pouring, hold the carafe by the body, not the neck, and pour slowly. Only fill the cups about three-quarters full. Rinse all parts promptly after use, as alcohol residue leaves dull edges when dried. Clean by hand with warm water and mild dish soap; a narrow bottle brush is suitable for the carafe, as the narrow neck would otherwise be unreachable. The manufacturer does not specify whether the parts are dishwasher safe – when in doubt, wash by hand, as thin-walled glass can easily hit other dishes in the machine. Do not use abrasive cleaners or steel wool. To dry, place the cups on a cloth instead of stacking them inside each other, as they may otherwise jam and break when separated. Remove limescale rings with a little diluted vinegar water and then rinse thoroughly. Do not use the parts in the microwave, oven, or freezer. When storing, place the cups individually and do not lay the carafe on its spout, as the thin edge is the most delicate part of the entire set.

For all who want to serve a drink, not just pour it.