Even Hana Horikoshi, Miss Sake Japan 2025 herself, graced the festivities. Honkaku shochu differs from less expensive ko-rui shochu like extra virgin olive oil from olive oil. Owner and bartender Billy Lo is experimenting with a Mojito made with a floral honkaku shochu. “It is difficult for bars and restaurants to price honkaku shochu at a premium when it is lumped together with ko-rui shochu,” noted Lo. “It doesn’t help that Hong Kong has few venues with diverse or interesting selections of shochu.”Lo has taken it upon himself to address this.