In case you missed it, OBON Sushi + Bar + Ramen recently updated their cocktail menu.
“We’ve gone full circle to where we want to be concise and scientific,” said OBON owner Brandon Katz. “We went real summer-heavy, refreshing, and local ingredients. We’re using local flora.”
They’ve reduced the size of their drink menu while keeping their tongue-in-cheek humor in the process.
“We created this menu, taking what we’ve learned and known about Japanese and Korean influence and traditions, and added a healthy dose of our own personalities,” said bar manager Matthew Martinez. “Our goal is always to make our cocktails feel like complete and composed dishes.”
You’ll see the fun garnishes in Martinez’s photos below:
Caribou Lou Fizz
What started as an homage to Disneyland’s Dole Whip ended up taking inspiration from Tech N9ne’s Caribou Lou.
The pineapple syrup is created with the assistance of chamber vacuum and sous vide technology which creates an intense pineapple flavor while minimizing waste. You’ll also find Clement coconut liqueur, egg white, lemon, cream, and Hamilton demerara sugar in this cocktail.
Don Ron
In this spin on a daiquri, you’ll find makrut coconut orgeat, lemon, blanco tequila, and Jamaican rum.
I Want My Umami
You’d be hard pressed to find a michelada with ingredients so Japanese. Their house michelada mix includes Zuke serrano marinade, hondashi, bonito, vinegar, and OB pilsner. It comes with a togarashi-crusted California roll on top and a shot of soju on the side. You can add a spice bomb for $0.50.
Kappa Pond
The Kappa cocktails are references to the creature from Japanese folklore with the same name. In this cocktail that requires a minimum of two people to order, you’ll find cucumber, lemon, wasabi, gin, and blue curacao.
“Much garnish,” said Martinez.
Kappa Trap
If your friend’s soul was consumed by a Kappa, you can take sweet, thirst-quenching vengeance with the Kappa Trap suited for one person.
Photos haven’t been posted for the drinks below yet, but will be available soon through OBON Sushi + Bar + Ramen on Facebook.
Other OBON drink additions:
Day Tripper
The Szechuan pepper on the rim will cause “flavor-tripping,” causing you to perceive sweet and sour flavors differently. Within the cocktail itself, you’ll find bonito pear shrub, lemon, Rutte Oude Simon Jenever, Azuñia blanco tequila, and Workhorse Rye salted cacao bitters.
Azuma Old Fashioned
Japanese whisky production has become world class, rivaling even the finest Scotch. Here, you’ll get a glimpse through Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky, barley syrup, and Workhorse Rye aromatic coffee bitters.
Tokyo City Icewater
This cocktail is kegged and carbonated on site and poured off draft to order. You’ll be refreshed by the combination of aloe, Calpico, and shochu.
Tobias Special
This beer cocktail was named after Cartel barista Tobias Varon, who introduced Martinez to the combination of IPA and cold brew concentrate. In OBON’s variation, French Amer is added to complement the Dragoon IPA and create a chocolate and orange aroma with Exo Roast Co. cold brew concentrate.
For more information, keep up with OBON Sushi + Bar + Ramen on Facebook.
Article written by:
Jackie Tran
More about JackieJackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.
