Americans drink twice as much saké today as in 1990 with sales reaching $180 million. Five saké breweries in California and two in Oregon, along with 250 brands imported from Japan, have been filling this expanding market. Imports are somewhat at a disadvantage because saké, unlike wine, is best when consumed fresh.
These high-end sakés are quite different from the sakés most Americans may have encountered. The ultra premium sakés are chilled and paired with Asian cuisine. Another trend is saké cocktails--cosmopolitans and margaritas made with saké instead of vodka or tequila. Still, for most people, saké remains a novelty.