# Fried Chicken Cocktails Japanese Cooking Techniques Inspired Shinji’s Savory Karaage Cocktail By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2025-04-29 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/karaage-cocktail References: [thespiritsbusiness](https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/04/shinjis-creates-fried-chicken-cocktail/) & [shinjisbar](https://shinjisbar.com/)  [Shinji’s](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shinji-japanese-steakhouse) debuted a menu organized by flavor profile and style, and in the Savoury and Spirited category, there's the [Karaage](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/karaage-chicken-ramen) cocktail. Inspired by the Japanese cooking method, this cocktail is made with fat-washed tequila and served with a chicken skin cracker. Drinkers are gravitating toward [savory cocktails](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/papa-johns-tomatini) as they seek more complex, umami-driven flavors that stand out from the traditionally sweet profiles of classic mixed drinks. This culinary-inspired beverage offers a more nuanced, food-friendly drinking experience. “If we’re doing a drink inspired by food, it doesn’t just taste like that food–it incorporates the actual ingredients into the prep,” said beverage director Jonathan Adler, "The Old Fashioned-style drink is savory and tastes like fried chicken, but not in a way that is too overwhelming." On the menu, there are also Experimental Shots, Citrusy and Clean, and Spiced and Complex cocktails. Image Credit: Joanna Lin ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.1/10 - Popularity: 38% | Activity: 45% | Freshness: 40% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Drinking](https://www.trendhunter.com/drinking) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Umami-driven Cocktails:** Consumers are increasingly drawn to umami-driven cocktails for their depth and complexity, which contrasts with traditional sweet and fruit-forward drinks. - **Culinary-inspired Drink Experiences:** The trend of integrating culinary elements into cocktails offers a unique, food-friendly drinking experience that blurs the lines between dining and drinking. - **Flavor Profile Innovation:** Innovative flavor profiles, such as savory and spiced cocktails, are transforming the cocktail scene by offering novel, memorable experiences. ### Where This Applies - **Alcoholic Beverages:** The alcoholic beverages industry is experiencing a shift as it incorporates culinary techniques to meet consumer demand for innovative and complex drink options. - **Culinary Arts:** Culinary arts professionals are increasingly exploring the fusion of food and drink, creating opportunities for the development of skills and products that redefine dining experiences. - **Hospitality and Bar Industry:** The hospitality and bar industry is evolving with the integration of unique, food-inspired cocktails that enhance menu offerings and attract adventurous customers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Savory Beef Cocktails](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-savory-project.md) - [Savory Culinary Cocktails](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/two-schmucks.md) - [Libation-Friendly Fried Chicken](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kfc-japan-ninniku-crispy.md) - [Savory MSG-Forward Cocktails](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/get-the-msg-cocktail.md) - [Savory Pizza Cocktails](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cold-pizza-cocktail.md) - [Butter Chicken Cocktails](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/butter-chicken-cocktail.md) - [Sake Cocktail Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sake-cocktail-menu.md) - [Sandwich-Inspired Savory Cocktails](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ny-bodega-sour.md) - [Italian-Style Savory Cocktails](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cacio-e-pepe-martini.md)