Is There an Alcoholic Drink with Soy Sauce? The Umami Cocktail Guide

January 3, 2026 •

5 min read

While typically associated with savory dishes, the rich, complex flavor of soy sauce has found its way into modern mixology. The answer to whether there is an alcoholic drink with soy sauce is a resounding yes, as bartenders and home enthusiasts are using it to create unique, umami-forward cocktails.

Quick Summary

Soy sauce is used in various alcoholic drinks to introduce an umami dimension, balancing sweetness and adding complexity. From twists on classics like the Bloody Mary to innovative creations, bartenders incorporate this savory ingredient to craft distinctive and balanced cocktails.

Key Points

Umami in Mixology: Soy sauce adds a complex, savory, and umami depth to cocktails, moving beyond its traditional use as a cooking condiment.
Balance is Key: Just a dash of soy sauce is typically enough to enhance a drink; it should be used sparingly to avoid overpowering other flavors.
Classic Cocktail Twists: Recipes like the Ginza Mary and Soy Martinez demonstrate how soy sauce can be integrated into classic cocktails for an adventurous spin.
Pairing Flavors: Soy sauce pairs exceptionally well with citrus elements, spices like ginger and wasabi, and a touch of sweetness to create balanced flavor profiles.
Varieties Matter: Different types of soy sauce, such as tamari for richer flavor or shiro for a lighter color, can be chosen to achieve specific taste goals.
Exploring Savory Cocktails: The use of soy sauce is part of a larger trend in mixology towards incorporating savory ingredients like fish sauce, miso, and sesame oil to create more complex drink experiences.

The Rise of Umami: Why Soy Sauce in Your Drink?

Soy sauce, with its deep and complex flavor profile, extends beyond the kitchen to become a powerful tool in a mixologist's arsenal. The fermentation process of soybeans and wheat creates a rich, savory umami taste that, when used in small, controlled quantities, can dramatically enhance a cocktail. Instead of just adding salt, soy sauce provides a multifaceted flavor with sweet, salty, and savory notes, along with an aromatic depth that can transform a standard drink into an intriguing new experience. This trend is part of a broader movement toward savory cocktails, using ingredients like tomato juice, herbs, and even meat broths to create more layered and less sugar-centric flavor profiles.

Umami Cocktails: Recipes to Try

Numerous recipes showcase the versatility of soy sauce in alcoholic beverages. These drinks often balance the sauce's savory notes with citrus, spice, and sweetness.

The Ginza Mary: A Japanese-inspired take on the classic Bloody Mary, this cocktail uses vodka, sake, and tomato juice, but incorporates soy sauce and wasabi paste for a distinctive umami kick. It is often garnished with pickled ginger or a cucumber slice.
Soy Martinez: A surprising twist on a classic, the Soy Martinez combines gin, sweet vermouth (Martini Rosso), maraschino liqueur, and a teaspoon of soy sauce. The soy sauce adds a rich, savory undertone that complements the herbal and sweet notes of the other ingredients, resulting in a complex and sophisticated drink.
Soy Sauce Old Fashioned: This bold cocktail blends the richness of bourbon (or another whiskey) with a hint of soy sauce, orange juice, and simple syrup. The soy sauce enhances the oak and caramel notes of the bourbon while introducing a savory finish that makes it both adventurous and satisfying.
Umami Bliss: This gin-based cocktail balances the botanical notes of gin with dry vermouth, lemon juice, and honey, but adds both Worcestershire and soy sauce to bring a profound, savory depth. The result is a savory, yet balanced, and refreshing beverage.

The Art of Umami Pairing

When crafting cocktails with soy sauce, it's crucial to understand which flavors work best to complement and enhance its unique profile. Umami, the fifth taste, can be paired effectively with certain ingredients to create a harmonious blend rather than an overpowering mix.

Citrus: Lemon, lime, and yuzu juice are excellent companions for soy sauce. The bright acidity cuts through the saltiness and complexity, creating balance. This is evident in the Ginza Mary and the Soy Sauce Old Fashioned, where orange and lemon juice play a key role.
Sweetness: A touch of sweetness from ingredients like honey, maple syrup, or maraschino liqueur can round out the savory edge of soy sauce. The Soy Martinez, for instance, uses the liqueur to soften the overall profile.
Spice: Spices, such as ginger, wasabi, or even a dash of hot sauce, can add another layer of flavor that works well with soy sauce. They add a kick that enhances the overall experience.

Using Different Types of Soy Sauce for Cocktails

The world of soy sauce is not monolithic; different varieties offer distinct flavors that can alter the final cocktail. Choosing the right type can be the difference between a good drink and a great one.

Soy Sauce Variety Comparison for Mixology


Type of Soy Sauce	Primary Characteristics	Ideal Cocktail Use	Flavor Profile Impact
Light Soy Sauce (Koikuchi)	Saltier, all-purpose, thinner consistency	Savory cocktails like the Ginza Mary	Adds a straightforward salty-umami flavor without darkening the color too much.
Dark Soy Sauce (Lào Chōu)	Less salty, thicker, slightly sweeter with molasses added	Darker spirit cocktails, like a Soy Sauce Old Fashioned	Deepens color and adds a richer, more complex sweetness and umami.
Tamari	Made with little to no wheat, richer and darker than koikuchi	Gluten-free cocktail options, richer drinks with bourbon or rum	Intense umami flavor with a clean finish, doesn't add the sweetness of wheat.
White Soy Sauce (Shiro)	Lightest in color, made with more wheat and less soy	Cocktails where clarity is important, like a Soy Sauce Sour	Provides umami and sweetness without significantly altering the drink's color.

The Importance of Balance

Using soy sauce in cocktails requires a delicate hand. A few drops are often enough to introduce the desired umami element. Too much can easily overpower the drink, making it unpleasantly salty. It is a seasoning, not a base ingredient. Starting with a very small amount and tasting as you go is the key to success. This delicate balance of savory, sweet, and acidic flavors is what makes umami cocktails so intriguing to the palate.

Other Savory Cocktail Ingredients

For those who enjoy the savory elements introduced by soy sauce, there is a world of other unique ingredients to explore. These can be used alongside or in place of soy sauce to achieve different flavor profiles.

Fish Sauce (Nuoc Mam): Provides a different type of intense umami and can be used in small quantities for a Southeast Asian twist.
Miso Paste: Offers a deep, fermented, salty flavor and adds a creamy texture. Often used in syrups for umami-infused sours.
Sesame Oil: Aromatic and nutty, a few drops can add a potent flavor boost, as seen in the Twilight Umami Martini.
Kombu (Kelp): Can be used to create an umami-rich syrup or infused into a spirit to add a subtle, marine-like savory flavor.
Worcestershire Sauce: A classic savory additive that provides a fermented, umami-rich complexity, often found in Bloody Mary variations.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict on Soy Sauce Cocktails

Yes, not only is there an alcoholic drink with soy sauce, but there are numerous recipes and applications that leverage its potent, savory, and complex flavor. By treating it as a nuanced seasoning rather than a primary component, mixologists can use soy sauce to craft unique, umami-rich cocktails that challenge traditional sweet and sour expectations. The trend reflects a growing culinary curiosity, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in a glass. Whether it's a twist on a classic or a bold new creation, soy sauce offers an exciting new dimension to explore in the world of cocktails.

Frequently Asked Questions

In a cocktail, soy sauce adds a deep, savory, and complex umami flavor. When used sparingly, it does not taste like straight soy sauce but instead enhances the drink by balancing sweetness, adding saltiness, and providing a unique aromatic depth.

An umami cocktail is a drink that incorporates savory ingredients to bring out the fifth taste, umami. This can be achieved using ingredients like soy sauce, miso, fish sauce, or savory broths, creating a richer, more complex flavor profile beyond traditional sweet, sour, salty, and bitter tastes.

While you can experiment, different types of soy sauce will yield different results. Tamari offers a richer, more intense umami, while a light soy sauce is saltier. Some cocktails may benefit from a thicker dark soy sauce. For specific flavor outcomes, matching the right soy sauce variety is best.

Soy sauce pairs surprisingly well with a variety of spirits. It complements the herbal notes of gin, the rich caramel of bourbon and rum, and the clean profile of vodka. It is often used in a savory cocktail context, like a Bloody Mary with a twist.

Start with a very small amount, typically a few drops or a single teaspoon. The key is to enhance, not overpower. As with any seasoning, it's easier to add more than to take it away. Taste as you build the drink to ensure the perfect balance.

Other unconventional ingredients include fish sauce, miso paste, sesame oil, and even infused kombu. These ingredients add savory, aromatic, or salty notes that can create complex and unique drink experiences for those with adventurous palates.

The use of soy sauce in cocktails is a more recent trend within modern mixology, evolving from a broader movement towards savory and umami flavors. While unconventional, it's a creative use of a traditional ingredient to achieve new flavor complexities.