From Sparrow’s gin list, Roku is a Japanese craft gin built around the seasons, $12 by the pour, or $18 for a larger pour.
About Roku Gin
Roku is the Japanese craft gin from the House of Suntory, and its name means “six” in Japanese, a nod to the six Japanese botanicals at its heart. The whole gin is a celebration of the Japanese idea of Shun, the appreciation of seasonal flavors and nature at its apex. As the menu describes it, the combination of Sakura flower and Sakura leaf from spring, Sencha tea (green tea) and Gyokuro tea (refined green tea) from summer, Sansho pepper which ripens in autumn, and Yuzu peel from winter captures the essence of Shun in a bottle. These six are layered over the traditional gin botanicals, with each ingredient distilled to bring out its best character.
Tasting Notes
Roku is delicate and aromatic. Yuzu brings a fragrant citrus lift, the sakura and teas add a soft floral and green-tea note, and the sansho pepper leaves a gentle, tingling spice on the finish. It is a refined, layered gin that stays balanced and smooth, expressive without ever being heavy.
What to Pair It With
Roku’s bright, floral profile makes it a beautiful gin for a martini or a clean gin and tonic with a twist of citrus. From the Sparrow dinner menu it shines with Fresh Oysters, the Tuna Tartare, or the Scallops and Prosciutto. Our daily happy hour runs 3 to 5 PM, and the four-season patio is a lovely place to sip it on the Eastside.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Roku Gin made from?
Roku is a Japanese craft gin from Suntory built on six Japanese botanicals, sakura flower and leaf, sencha and gyokuro tea, sansho pepper, and yuzu peel, layered over traditional gin botanicals.
How much is a pour of Roku Gin at Sparrow?
At Sparrow in Kirkland it is $12 by the pour, or $18 for a larger pour.
Find it on the Sparrow beverages menu near the No. 3 London Dry and the New Deal Old Tom. We are in Kirkland’s Juanita neighborhood on the Eastside, so reserve a table and come taste it.