Should Sake Be Chilled? (Serving & Refrigeration Temperature)

by Philip Thompson
Updated on 07 July, 2024

Sake is a drink that has been made in Japan for centuries, but some of us may be coming across this delicious drink made by fermenting rice for the first time.

So to make sure that you are doing Sake justice, how should Sake be served? What is Sake’s ideal serving temperature?

What Is The Best Temperature To Serve Sake?

Credit: Sawanotsuru Sake available at Waitrose

Whilst Sake can actually be served hot as well as cold, the consensus amongst experts is that most premium Sake is best served chilled, just below room temperature at around 15°C (59°F).

This temperature is ideal for getting the most out of the very subtle and delicate aromas and flavours of Sake, so as not to dull its taste too much.

So once your Sake has reached your preferred temperature and you’re ready to drink it, try and maintain that temperature with the help of a wine cooler.

1. Sake

Serving Temperature: 15°C (59°F)
Storage Temperature: 11°C to 15°C (51–59°F)
Chilling Time: 1 hour or so

2. Daiginjo Sake

Serving Temperature: 15°C (59°F)
Storage Temperature: 11°C to 15°C (51–59°F)
Chilling Time: 1 hour or so

3. Plum Infused Sake

Serving Temperature: 15°C (59°F)
Storage Temperature: 11°C to 15°C (51–59°F)
Chilling Time: 1 hour or so

4. Sparkling Sake

Serving Temperature: Below room temp
Storage Temperature: 52–59°F or 11-15°C
Chilling Time: 1 hour or so

So what are some styles of Sake that you may come across and what temperature should they be served?

Popular Styles of Sake and Their Ideal Serving Temperature

Sake Varieties

1. Daiginjo Sake

This is the top classification of Sake and is best served chilled, at around 15°C (59°F)

2. Amontillado

Plum Infused Sake: Sake infused with plum fruits is great served on its own and also fantastic when added to sparkling wine for a fun take on a Kir Royale, serve this style cold (15°C or 59°F)

3. Pedro Ximenez

Sparkling Sake: Another light and delicate style of Sake that also benefits from being served chilled, aim for below room temperature. (52–59°F or 11-15°C)

So that’s serving temperatures sorted, what about storage temperatures for Sake?

What is the Best Storage Temperature for Sake?

Treat your Sake like your wine and store your bottles between 11°C and 15℃ (51–59°F).

Try and keep your storage location of choice as consistent as possible.

This involves maintaining a good level of humidity, avoiding direct sunlight and keeping your Sake free from any unnecessary disturbances.

If you don’t have a wine cellar, your garage or kitchen pantry is often a good place to store your Sake.

Think cool and calm when it comes to Sake storage.

But if Sake can be served warm or cold, can Sake go in the fridge?

Related: How Long Does Sake Last?

Should You Put Sake In The Fridge?

Kitchen Fridge

Absolutely, if you’ve got yourself some Premium Sake that you want to chill down, you can place it in the fridge to reach the required temperature.

Serving temperatures for Sake really depends on personal preference, so if you like your Sake slightly warmer then make sure you don’t leave your bottles in the fridge for too long.

Aim to chill your Sake to around 15°C (59°F).

If you leave your Sake in the fridge for too long or it becomes too cold for your liking, don’t worry.

Simply remove the bottle from the fridge and give it time to warm up a little.

So how long can Sake go in the fridge for?

How Long Should You Chill Sake For?

So this really depends on your Sake.

Some styles of Sake have traditionally been served warm, although modern trends and expert opinions are now erring towards the colder side of things when it comes to Sake serving temperatures.

So if you want to follow suit and chill your Sake a little before drinking, place it in the fridge 30 - 60 minutes or so before you plan on drinking it and it should be chilled down in no time.

Here are some of our top tips on serving Sake.

5 Tips on Serving Sake

Traditionally sake was served warm, but experts now recommended serving your Premium sake slightly chilled.

Aim to serve your Sake at around 15°C (59°F)

Wine coolers can be used to help maintain a Sake’s temperature in between serving.

You don’t have to keep your Sake in the fridge, long term. Save yourself the fridge space and put your Sake somewhere like a wine cellar, kitchen pantry or garage.