Non‑Alcoholic Mixologist
Scent is the sense that becomes memory.
KOU IN KA (香飲家) is a Tokyo unit devoted to scented beverage: non-alcoholic drinks built to be enjoyed for their aroma and to carry a dish, rather than to imitate a cocktail.
Ingredients are chosen by season and the liquid, temperature and concentration tuned so the lingering aroma connects back to the plate.
It is led by Yasuhiro Katakura, a bartender by training who now works as a consulting barista for hotels, restaurants, cafes and pâtisseries, with Minako Tanaka, formerly a cafe manager at DEAN & DELUCA. Katakura has taught drinks for over sixteen years at culinary and confectionery schools in Japan, Taiwan, mainland China and Spain, and has published fourteen drink titles, several of them released in Chinese and Korean editions.
The unit works across pairing events, catering for fashion shows, exhibitions, international conferences and VIP parties, beverage programmes and staff training for hotels and restaurants, store production, and product development, including twelve non-alcoholic products for AEON Topvalu.
OOODD represents KOU IN KA 香飲家 for enquiries in Taiwan only.
Selected clients
AEON Topvalu, Fuji TV, SB Foods, Perrier × TODAY'S SPECIAL, HANDS, Gurunavi, RADWIMPS ANTI ANTI GENERATION Tour, Les vergers Boiron, luxury and resort hotels across Japan
Selected publications
NHK Asaichi, fourteen published drink titles including Tea Drink Manual and The Idea and Composition of Tea Drinks
Selected work
Services: pairing events, catering, training, product development, store production, consultancy
Related solution — Event