Japan has one of the strongest mixology schools: devotion to balance and precision of movement has been perfected there for centuries. For proof, head to Sretenka — the older siblings of this authentic Butler Bar operate in Tokyo and Hong Kong. Sensei Yuta Inagaki flawlessly mixes a well-rounded lemon sgroppino, full-bodied whiskey highball with yuzu, and deconstructs the martini: first gin stirred with ice from a mix of vermouths and bitters, then a shot with them, followed — like a three-line haiku — by a cornichon, olive, and pearl onion. He's also perfected ramen in the kitchen. The space is minimalist, seating is limited — nothing distracts from cocktail bushido: shaker, sip, taste, zen.

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• cocktails
• japanese
• byreservation