Japan, summer, and sunbeams filtering through the treetops. It was precisely this image that inspired the signature Komorebi cocktail, created by bartender Desi Atanasova from Prague’s Cocktail Bar Illusion. Using Nikka Days whisky as a base, she has created a drink that combines Japanese inspiration with the lightness of a European summer.
The name Komorebi comes from Japanese and refers to sunlight filtering through the canopy and leaves of trees. This is exactly the image Desi associates with the atmosphere of Japanese anime – a peaceful walk through the forest, a raised hand, and rays of light streaming through the branches. A poetic moment which, according to Desi, perfectly captures the character of the entire cocktail.
“I really enjoy using Nikka bottles; they’re easy to work with, and in the past we’ve created lots of seasonal cocktails using them. You could have tasted these, for example, at our Illusion bar,” says Desi.
Her connection to Japan is reflected not only in her work behind the bar, but also in her personal interests. She is fascinated by the local culture, cuisine, and anime, from which she often draws inspiration when creating new cocktails. Some are born out of curiosity, while others take shape immediately after tasting a single ingredient.
This is exactly how the summer signature cocktail, Komorebi, came about. It is based on the smooth Nikka Days whisky, complemented by homemade pandan syrup, which gives the drink a distinctive Asian flavour with subtle nutty and rice-like notes. The second key ingredient is non-alcoholic Martini Floreale with chamomile, which brings a floral lightness and helps create a refreshing drink perfect for hot summer days.
“It struck me as a good idea to soften the flavour of the whisky and its sweetness with something slightly tart and floral – a bit like a European summer. And a few drops of Angostura Bitters just balanced everything out beautifully. The result is a sort of Japanese Old Fashioned,” explains the creator.
Interestingly, Komorebi wasn’t originally created as a cocktail for guests at all. Desi mixed it for herself as a drink tailored exactly to her own tastes. But when she started getting positive reactions from those around her, she decided to include it among the cocktails she shares with others.
Name: Komorebi by Desi
Recipe
- 40 ml Nikka Days
- 20 ml Martini Floreale
- 15 ml homemade pandan syrup
- 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters
Method: Mix all the ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Strain into a tumbler over a single large ice cube and garnish with a pandan leaf.
How the drink tastes
Komorebi is a light, elegant cocktail in which the delicacy of Nikka Days whisky blends with the floral notes of Martini Floreale and the distinctive flavour of homemade pandan syrup. The syrup brings subtle nutty, rice-like nuances, while Angostura Bitters rounds off the whole profile and adds depth to the final flavour. The result is a refreshing summer cocktail with a Japanese character and an atmosphere perfectly captured by its very name – Komorebi.
