Despite its popularity in Japan – and Swedes’ love for Japanese food – Sake has not yet gained widespread popularity in Sweden. Most people still place it in the same category of alcoholic drinks as things like ouzo, Metaxa and slivovica – weird stuff you only drink as a curiosity when vacationing in their country of origin. The dry, elegant Japanese rice wine, however, deserves a better fate.

A new Swedish brand, Small Sake is now trying to give sake a push by selling it in small 163 ml cans.

“Sake’s popularity is increasing, but misconceptions and diffuse brands often make the drink difficult to approach for consumers,” says Pontus Karlsson, one of the founders.

“Our aim is to increase peoples’ knowledge about sake and create a brand that’s easily recognizable.”

Small Sake is a junmai, meaning a quality sake manufactured from pure rice. 30 per cent of the rice grain is polished away and only the remaining 70 is used in the production – a process that sets premium sake apart from simpler table sake. No alcohol or additives are added.

Sake is often enjoyed on its own, and contrary to popular belief, it can be served both cold and warm – not just lukewarm. It can also be used in cocktails, and Karlsson suggests trying it together with ginger ale and a slice of lemon, to compensate for the drink’s low acidity.

Sake in Stockholm

Hattori Sushi Devil on Drottninggatan 85.

The menu features nine types of sake and umeshu, the Japanese plum liquor, along with excellent, affordable sushi.

Tesalongen at Svenskt Tenn on Strandvägen 5.

The cosy tea salon that used to focus on afternoon tea, scones and pastries, has recently added sushi and sake to its menu.

Blue Light Yokohama at Åsögatan 170.

Serves six different sakes, as well as other Japanese drinks, such as shochu (a distilled spirit) and umeshu. Also known for their superb Japanese food.