Review: Ty Ku Asian Citrus Liqueur
Surely you've seen Ty Ku on the shelf. The pale green liqueur in the obelisk of a bottle (some versions even light up when poured) stands out on any back bar. But... what is it?
Reportedly the end result of a student project at Columbia Business School, Ty Ku isn't a Japanese spirit with an ancient pedigree. Rather, it dates back to, well, 2003 New York.
Ty Ku is at least produced in Japan, where it is made from sake and soju and infused with 20-some additives to create the finished product. The infusion menu is extreme, ranging from fruit (pomegranate, fuji apple, yuzu, honeydew, plum, Asian pear, and white cranberry, mangosteen, goji berry) to herbal flavors (various teas, ginseng, damiana, dragon's eye). I've yet to see a complete list of what's in it. Some even claim that Ty Ku is "healthy" -- a curious claim for any spirit but, at just 40 proof, Ty Ku isn't really that much more alcoholic than a glass of wine.
The flavor is indeed intriguing. Lightly sweet (elderflower syrup is the sweetener), it's got strong citrus overtones, but nothing particularly identifiable as any of the above listed fruits. Apple, tart cranberry, perhaps the mangosteen are strongest here. And the tea comes across a bit more in the nose more than the body. All in all: Very good, and well balanced despite the flood of stuff in it.
Ty Ku goes down quite easy on the rocks -- and it throws an interesting spin kick into cocktails that you might otherwise sweeten with sugar syrup or even St. Germain. I could actually go for a slightly bigger flavor than it packs, but overall Ty Ku is a winner.
A- / $28 / trytyku.com
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July 28th, 2009 - 16:17
Never tried it!
July 28th, 2009 - 16:30
Ty Ku is actually really really good mixed with other liquors. My neighbor introduced me to Ty Ku and Patron and I’ve never had it with anything else ever since.
August 17th, 2009 - 07:06
I purchased a bottle over the weekend. My wife likes it quite a bit– it’s easy to make nice fruity drinks with it. I’m not much of a fan, though–Ty Ku has citrusy tart flavor, and the aftertaste is similar to eating a few SweetTart or Smartie candies.
February 4th, 2010 - 14:56
I’m going to have to disagree with Edoc. SweetTarts or Smarties aren’t a good interpretation of it. Its more like eating a lime-flavored candy but not as sweet. I personally can’t stand sweet alcohol..it gives me a headache. But the few times I had Ty-Ku it was almost refreshing. I mixed it with ginger ale.
February 21st, 2010 - 13:08
What I like is that it’s so light. You can just drink it on the rocks or with a splash of club soda.
February 22nd, 2010 - 16:49
I love the fact that it’s so low in calories and mixes well with almost anything!! It has such a refreshing taste and in terms of other alcohol, is quite good for you.
March 22nd, 2010 - 22:29
Ty.Ku has a very exotic taste which is quite good, I have always been a Hendrick,s Gin Girl. But this is a very nice refreshing change.