At The Bar: Ty Ku
Posted by Matt Cipriano | 17 Comments
I received a bottle of Ty Ku in the mail the other day. It sounded pretty interesting as a Sake mixed with liquor and I was looking forward to trying it out, especially after my recent trip to Japan. Then the other day I found out that the Joy of Sake festival is in New York City today, and as you might want to head there for all your fine Sake tasting, I figured this made a good tie-in for a post, so I made a point this weekend to drink some Ty Ku.
The bottle, as you can see, is pretty impressive: frosted glass with a green liquid inside. When you lift the bottle from the table it lights up, glowing green as you pour the beverage (or as the website says: “the patented bottle illuminates with a soft green glow when ever it is poured, creating yet another industry first, and setting a new standard in out-of-the-bottle thinking.”)
The materials I got with the bottle name drop like all other marketing materials do, citing Leonardo DiCaprio, Paris Hilton and other famous names as fans of Ty Ku. After trying Ty Ky for the first time all I could think was that these celebs must be lacking taste (though, in all fairness, I never thought Paris Hilton had any taste to begin with).
So, Ty Ku bills itself as a new genre of alcohol, “set to create a new category in the beverage industry,” though I am not sure what that category might be. The press materials discusses the drink’s mysterious flavors, which are probably called mysterious because it is much easier then listing out the “20 all natural ingredients.”
The various press materials list melon and pomegranate as possible flavors. Personally, I thought it tasted like a really bad apple martini. The other people drinking it with me thought the taste was more reminiscent of pears or melon. A minor list of some of the 20 different ingredients is included, and to name just a few, we’ve got: yuzu, pomegranate, prickly pear, oolong tea, green tea, plum, kiwi, ginseng, damiana and Dragon’s Eye. Oh, speaking to those last 3 ingredients, the press materials note that Ty Ku is also an aphrodisiac. I am sure it is — in the same way most alcoholic beverages are: Drink enough and you will sleep with anyone.
Ty Ku was the brain child of some Columbia students. I hypothesize that they were probably marketing majors. Everything about the Ty Ku campaign is slick and refined. You read about it and see it and it seems really attractive. It seems like the type of beverage you find in upscale bars and lounges. Its image and marketing materials and image just scream sexy. Even the recipes suggested in the Ty Ku literature look great. Even knowing that the taste of Ty Ku is pretty bad, I am still intrigued by the look of the various potential drink combos, such as the Katana (Ty Ku, light rum, lime juice, mint, grapefruit, rock candy syrup and club soda) and the Wet Pearl (Ty Ku, vanilla vodka, pineapple juice and a dash of bitters). Ty Ku is billed as the “Ultimate Mixer.” I just couldn’t imagine ruining another alcohol with it.
Unfortunately, I felt Ty Ku was a miss, though if you are feeling adventurous you should head on out and pick yourself up a bottle. You don’t need to take my word for it. Try it yourself. 
Oh, and one of the other people who tried Ty Ku with me thought their logo looked like an alien head. I’ll let ya’ll decide on that one.
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17 Responses to “At The Bar: Ty Ku”
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February 22nd, 2008 @
How did you get one in the mail? Where can I get my hands on this drink to buy a few?
February 22nd, 2008 @
Writing for a bog does have its advantages…
Currently it is available in NY, NV and the US Virgin Islands. You can look up the locations on their website: http://www.trytyku.com/
March 13th, 2008 @
I recently picked up a bottle of this stuff. Slick bottle, but a hefty pricetag ($30) for something that’s still pretty experimental.
First impressions: it’s not very refined. For the price, it should be nice and smooth, not nearly sickeningly sweet with a strong bite of alcohol.
I had a sip of ginger ale (supposedly a diet one) and thought, “Hey, this may mix well with the ty ku.” Sure enough. one part ty ku to about 2 parts ginger ale and you have a rather refreshing beverage.
I do believe some more experimentation is needed… I won’t give up on it yet.
March 25th, 2008 @
do some research! columbia doesn’t even have a marketing major!
March 25th, 2008 @
Despite the fact that my comment about Columbia was tongue in cheek and referenced the press materials that specified that the creators had gone to Columbia (as if that made them distilling geniuses or something), Columbia does have a ‘Marketing Division’, it is part of the business school: http://www4.gsb.columbia.edu/marketing/
Maybe I am not the one who needs to do my research.
September 22nd, 2008 @
I agree with JohnD – TY KU and gingerale is the way to go
October 22nd, 2008 @
Yeah yeah . Gingerale is good but I’m about to get myself a Mr Miyagi! Straight up rockin the asian flavours… But I think everyone should try the TY.
October 29th, 2008 @
Personally, I think it’s bomb with Tequila, chilled as a shot.
November 9th, 2008 @
I love ty ku. I had it in a mixed drink in vegas and it was fabulous. You should try it mixed. Try Cruzan Guava Run, Ty Ku and pineapple juice. It is the best mixed drink I ever had and I am picky. Don’t give up on it because it tastes bad to you alone. It really is fabulous!
November 10th, 2008 @
As long as it’s chilled you can definitely enjoy TY KU alone. But I would say Red bull + TY KU hits the spot for me. Its the new replacement for Red bull/ vod. After a long training session, its an awesome drink to kick of the night!
November 18th, 2008 @
The possibilities with TY KU are almost endless with the right bar to work with and some imagination. Personally the bar I work at isn’t as equipped as say the bars I frequent in Vegas were I see TY KU all over.
February 28th, 2009 @
I have to say at first I was skeptical because of the price tag. My wife heard about how it ws much lower in sugar that other alchohols so she just had to try it. I have to say that I am totally in love with. I have not mixed it with anything and I still love it. If its not chilled I pour it over some ice and drink away. I love the light flavor or vodka and the citrus kick is superb. Nuff’ Said!
April 9th, 2009 @
I have tried it it’s definetly not for everyone by itself but to me its fine alone and great mixed. Friends of mine didnt like it alone but they dont have the same taste in alcohol as me i go for a smoother beer like Blue moon and they go for a Sam Adams logger. So all I can say is if you like a bit of sweet in your drinks give it a shot.
May 29th, 2009 @
I will try it. I think I am the only person who drinks Cynar straight without ice and love it. Everyone else I know drinks Cynar mixed and cold but I think it is great as is. For those who don’t know the benefits of Cynar I will say that if you ever have indigestion or an upset stomach this really works.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 3rd, 2010 @
I think this have a pretty refreshing taste contrary to the article. My absolutely fav. drink of choice is a margarita, but after learning about the calories I became a huuuuge fan of mixing ty ku with tequila (like someone already mentioned). It is so delicious. It goes with so many beverages!
October 6th, 2010 @
Personally I Love TY KU – I was at the Joy of Sake Event myself and enjoyed a naughty lemonade (TY KU Liqueur, Soju and fresh lemonade) and it was one of the most refreshing cocktails that I’ve had. Its low calorie, guilt free and delicious.
April 5th, 2011 @
I actually tend to differ with your opinion – I found TY KU to be refreshing, smooth and sophisticated. I’ve actually never tasted anything like it before. I’ve been drinking TY KU for about 3 years and refuse to drink any other sake or soju. I recommend this to anyone and everyone.