Suntory, the creator of Roku Gin, was founded in 1899, and still operates out of Osaka. There, Roku is distilled with a unique blend of local botanicals—sakura flower, sansho pepper, and yuzu peel among them—that celebrate the natural wonders of Japan’s changing seasons. (Coppola’s favorite memory of Japan, however, is a little more playful: “Having Christmas there when I was 8 and discovering Hello Kitty!”)
Despite being raised between California and New York, Japan has been a constant presence in Coppola’s life since she was a child. “My parents loved to bring us there, so I grew up with a love and appreciation for Japan and its culture,” she says. “My dad loved Kurosawa’s films, so I grew up seeing them, visiting film sets Kyoto temples, and Tokyo as a kid, which made a big impression. I was happy to rediscover it in my 20s, which inspired Lost in Translation, and I continue to always be excited and love going there.”
With a favorable exchange rate, traveling to Japan currently seems to be at the top of everyone’s list—something Coppola happily encourages. “I love the mix of very modern and pop, and very traditional and elegant at the same time,” she says of the country. But if a Japanese sojourn is not on the horizon, here is the next best thing: Coppola’s Roku Gin Grapefruit Spritz.
Roku Gin Grapefruit Spritz
Photo: Courtesy of Roku Gin
Ingredients
- 1 part Roku Gin
- ½ part elderflower liqueur
- ¾ part grapefruit cordial
- ½ part lemon juice
- 2 part sparkling wine
- Garnish of grapefruit wheel or flower
Method
- Shake ingredients with ice to infuse all the flavors.
- Pour the sparkling wine over ice in a wine glass and strain shaker into the glass.
- Garnish with grapefruit wheel.