This white drink is made from sake lees. (sake-kasu/fermented rice lees)
Amazake has alcohol flavor but children are able to drink if it isn't too much.
photo by wikipedia
This is sake lees blocks.
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$5～7 at Japanese super market, Mitsuwa.
My Amazake is sake lees style.
There is the other type of Amazake "Rice Kouji Amazake"(Made from Rice malt)
No alcohol flavor, totally different taste.
It takes a long time to cook.↓
Originally, rice Kouji Amazake was cold drink for hot summer.
It relieves summer heat fatigue because it has much nutrition.
Rice Kouji Amazake is very sweet without sugar.
You can buy it at small Japanese super market like Sunrise Mart.
Maybe it is healthier than Sake lees Amazake.
But Sake lees Amazake is popular in Japan because it is easy to make.
I used to drink Sake lees Amazake after New Year worship at Shinto shrine.
Served Amazake was very hot and warmed freezing me.
Some Shinto shrines prepare food stalls in their property for people who visit shrine.
At beginning of the year, the first shrine visiting is called Hatsumoude.
How to make(for 2-3 person)
You can keep Sake lees block in a freezer.
I used a half of block this time（150g).
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Put Sake lees and 2-3 cup of water into a pan.
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Boil Sake lees high heat.
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Crash Sake lees until smooth.
And add 1/3 cup of honey and some pinches of salt.
I don't like sweetened drink but Sake lees Amazake needs enough sweetness for its taste.
(Most Japanese add white sugar but it is not healthy)
Some people add grated ginger or beaten egg too.
You can buy bottled Amazake or freeze-dried Amazake at Japanese market.
Morinaga is a famous brand in Japan.
Add 100mL of water or hot water per 1 block.
You don't have to add sugar.
I think rice milk, almond milk or soy milk is also OK.
There are various Sake lees dish in Japan.
Sake lees miso soup, called Kasu-jiru is very popular in winter season.
Just add small amount of sake lees in miso soup pan.
For Kasu-jiru, white miso is better than red miso.
Sometimes Japanese people use Sake lees as cheese.
For example, baked thin sliced Sake-kasu is a great snack for wine.
Also, I love Sake lees cake and muffin.
Sake-kasu sorbet is delicious too.
Sake-kasu + milk or soy milk + honey, condensed milk, or sugar and salt.
Please put them all in a food professor.
If you are in Japan, you can buy any kinds of Amazake on Amazon.
Glass bottled Amazake is good for gift.
By the way, some Japanese women use Sake lees as facial whitening mask.
Sake lees + a little bit of warm water + honey or yogurt
It is said that the facial care is good for skin whitening.
Please try patch test before use on face.