1 Month Rice Wine

1 Month Rice Wine is a medium Japanese recipe that serves 4. 150 calories per serving. Recipe by Johnny Kyunghwo on YouTube.

Prep: 13 hrs 25 min | Cook: 30 min | Total: 14 hrs 25 min

Cost: $28.81 total, $7.20 per serving

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Short‑Grain White Rice (Rinsed until water runs clear, then soaked)
  • 2 cups Water (Filtered or spring water)
  • 1/4 cup Rice Koji (Inoculated rice, available at Asian markets or online)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Wine Yeast (Sake Yeast) (Dry sake yeast or active dry yeast)
  • 1 piece Cheesecloth (For second filtration)
  • 1 piece Fine Mesh Sieve (Stainless‑steel, 0.5 mm mesh)

Instructions

  1. Rinse and Soak Rice

    Rinse the short‑grain rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Transfer to a bowl, cover with fresh water and let soak for 30 minutes.

    Time: PT30M

  2. Steam the Rice

    Drain the soaked rice and steam it in a steamer pot or rice cooker until fully cooked—soft, slightly sticky, and no hard center.

    Time: PT30M

    Temperature: 100°C

  3. Cool the Rice

    Spread the cooked rice on a clean tray and allow it to cool to room temperature (about 25 °C).

    Time: PT15M

    Temperature: 25 °C

  4. Combine Koji and Yeast

    In a large mixing bowl, gently fold the cooled rice with the rice koji and sprinkle the wine yeast over the top. Mix just enough to distribute evenly.

    Time: PT5M

  5. Add Water and Transfer to Fermentation Vessel

    Pour the measured 2 cups of water over the rice‑koji mixture, stir to ensure the rice is fully submerged, then transfer everything into a clean glass jar.

    Time: PT5M

  6. Ferment

    Cover the jar loosely with a cloth or a fermentation lid and let it sit at room temperature (20‑25 °C) for 30 days. The mixture will separate into clear liquid and a silty rice sediment.

    Time: PT720H

    Temperature: 20‑25 °C

  7. First Filtration

    After fermentation, pour the contents through a fine mesh sieve, stirring constantly to keep the sieve from clogging.

    Time: PT10M

  8. Second Filtration

    Line another container with cheesecloth and slowly pour the liquid through it for a second, finer filtration. Gather the cheesecloth and squeeze gently to extract remaining wine.

    Time: PT10M

  9. Optional Dilution and Bottle

    Taste the rice wine; if the alcohol strength is too high, dilute with a little water to taste. Transfer the final product into clean bottles and seal.

    Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
150
Protein
0 g
Carbohydrates
4 g
Fat
0 g
Fiber
0 g

Dietary info: Vegan, Gluten‑Free, Alcoholic

Allergens: Yeast

Last updated: April 18, 2026

Amazon Associates

Amazon Associates PartnerTrusted

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page. This helps support our site at no extra cost to you. Clicking on ingredient or equipment links will take you to amazon.com where you can purchase these items.

1 Month Rice Wine

Recipe by Johnny Kyunghwo

A traditional Asian rice wine made from steamed short‑grain rice, rice koji, and wine yeast. Fermented for a month, filtered twice for clarity, and optionally diluted before drinking. Sweet, fruity, and lightly alcoholic – perfect for sipping or cooking.

MediumJapaneseServes 4

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
721h 5m
Prep
45m
Cook
86h 37m
Cleanup
808h 27m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$28.81
Total cost
$7.20
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Steaming the rice to proper softness
  • Fermenting for a full 30 days at stable temperature
  • Ensuring clear separation of liquid and sediment before filtering
  • Second filtration through cheesecloth for clarity

Safety Warnings

  • Alcoholic beverage – keep out of reach of children and pets.
  • Ensure fermentation container is food‑grade to avoid leaching chemicals.
  • If any off‑smell (sour, rotten) appears, discard the batch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of homemade rice wine in Japanese cuisine?

A

Rice wine, known as sake, has been brewed in Japan for over a thousand years and is traditionally used in ceremonies, festivals, and as a toast at celebrations. It embodies the Japanese values of craftsmanship and seasonal appreciation.

cultural
Q

What are the traditional regional variations of rice wine in Japan?

A

Regional variations include Junmai (pure rice sake), Ginjo (premium brewed with highly polished rice), and Nigori (unfiltered, milky sake). Each region adjusts polishing ratio, yeast strain, and water source to create distinct flavors.

cultural
Q

How is rice wine traditionally served in Japan?

A

Sake is typically served slightly chilled (10‑15 °C) in small ceramic cups called ochoko, or warm (40‑45 °C) in a tokkuri for winter occasions. It is often paired with sushi, sashimi, and seasonal dishes.

cultural
Q

What occasions or celebrations is rice wine traditionally associated with in Japanese culture?

A

Sake is central to Shinto shrine rituals, wedding ceremonies, New Year celebrations (Oshogatsu), and the annual rice‑planting festivals, symbolizing gratitude and purification.

cultural
Q

What makes homemade rice wine special compared to commercially produced sake?

A

Homemade rice wine allows you to control fermentation time, sweetness, and alcohol level, resulting in a fresher, fruitier profile and the satisfaction of crafting a traditional beverage yourself.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making homemade rice wine?

A

Common mistakes include under‑steaming the rice, fermenting at temperatures below 20 °C (which slows yeast activity), and not filtering enough, which leaves a cloudy, gritty final product.

technical
Q

Why does this rice wine recipe use a two‑step filtration (sieve then cheesecloth) instead of a single filter?

A

The fine mesh sieve removes the bulk of rice particles while the cheesecloth catches finer sediment, ensuring a clear, smooth wine without cloudiness that can affect flavor and mouthfeel.

technical
Q

Can I make this rice wine ahead of time and how should I store it?

A

Yes, after bottling, store the wine in the refrigerator for up to six months. For longer storage, keep it in a cool, dark pantry and consume within a year for best flavor.

technical
Q

What texture and appearance should I look for when the rice wine is finished?

A

The finished wine should be clear to slightly amber, with no visible rice particles. It will have a smooth, slightly viscous mouthfeel and a sweet, melon‑like aroma.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel Johnny Kyunghwo specialize in?

A

The YouTube channel Johnny Kyunghwo focuses on traditional Asian fermentation projects, home brewing, and detailed step‑by‑step tutorials for making drinks like rice wine, makgeolli, and kombucha.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel Johnny Kyunghwo's approach to Japanese fermentation differ from other cooking channels?

A

Johnny Kyunghwo emphasizes scientific explanations of microbial activity, uses minimal equipment, and documents long‑term fermentation results, offering a more experimental and educational perspective than typical recipe‑only channels.

channel

You Might Also Like

Similar recipes converted from YouTube cooking videos

Making Rice Wine Sake The Traditional Way
6

Making Rice Wine Sake The Traditional Way

A step‑by‑step guide to making traditional Japanese‑style rice wine at home using glutinous sweet rice and Chinese yeast balls (jiuqu). The process includes cooking the rice, inoculating it with yeast, a two‑week fermentation in a sealed jar, and final clarification before bottling.

1 hr 45 minServes 8$34
Japanese
How We Made Rice Wine - Is it Sake? Beer?
3

How We Made Rice Wine - Is it Sake? Beer?

A step‑by‑step guide to making authentic Japanese‑style rice wine (sake) at home using sweet glutinous rice and specialized rice‑wine yeast. No distillation required – just steaming, cooling, and fermenting.

2 hrs 55 minServes 4$14
Japanese
【rice wine】how to make rice wine at home. Super easy!
8

【rice wine】how to make rice wine at home. Super easy!

A simple homemade Chinese sweet rice wine (Jiuniang) made from glutinous rice, water, and Chinese rice leaven. The natural fermentation turns rice starch into sugar and then a mild alcohol, creating a sweet, probiotic beverage ready in just a few days.

1 hr 35 minServes 4$8
Chinese
Pink and Sweet Sakura Wine 🌸🍶 (4 ingredients only, ready in 3 days)
5

Pink and Sweet Sakura Wine 🌸🍶 (4 ingredients only, ready in 3 days)

A light pink, sweet sakura‑flavored wine with only about 2% alcohol. Made at home by fermenting glutinous rice with fresh cherry blossom petals, this drink is gentle enough for kids and perfect for spring celebrations.

97 hrs 5 minServes 4$17
Japanese
A New Way to Make Traditional Japanese Sake!
6

A New Way to Make Traditional Japanese Sake!

A step‑by‑step guide to brew clear, cloudy, or milky Japanese rice wine (sake) at home using polished short‑grain rice, distilled water, tartaric acid, and Angel yeast that already contains the necessary enzymes. The recipe includes sanitation, temperature control, fermentation, and optional clarification techniques.

241 hrs 30 minServes 30$80
Japanese
Brewing RUSTIC SAKE with KOJI / homebrewing rice wine recipe, Japanese farmhouse style
7

Brewing RUSTIC SAKE with KOJI / homebrewing rice wine recipe, Japanese farmhouse style

A step‑by‑step homebrew of traditional Japanese farmhouse sake using sweet rice, homemade kome koji, and a touch of citric acid for easy acidity. Fermented at cool room temperature for two weeks, then filtered for a clear, lightly sweet‑tart rice wine.

340 hrs 15 minServes 12$26
Japanese
How To Make Rice Wine
14

How To Make Rice Wine

A quick‑prep, homemade sweet rice wine made from glutinous rice and distiller's yeast. The active preparation takes about five minutes; the rest is hands‑off fermentation. The resulting syrupy, mildly alcoholic drink can be enjoyed straight, used like mirin in sauces, or added to comforting soups and pouched‑egg dishes.

76 hrs 10 minServes 4$14
Chinese
Why Sake Brewing Is My New Obsession…
5

Why Sake Brewing Is My New Obsession…

A step‑by‑step beginner’s guide to brewing traditional Japanese sake at home using rice, koji, yeast and water. Includes detailed instructions for making koji, fermenting the mash, bottling, and aging, plus cultural background, troubleshooting, and FAQs.

566 hrs 45 minServes 10$38
Japanese