Kenji Nakamura

Contributing Editor, Drinks

As the Contributing Editor for Drinks at Tastes Good Magazine, Kenji Nakamura explores the diverse worlds of spirits, cocktails, sake, and shochu. His work focuses on demystifying complex fermentation and distillation processes, making the nuances of bar culture accessible to all readers. By diving into cocktail history and modern drink trends, he highlights the unique stories and traditions behind every glass.

Expertise

Japanese WhiskySakeCocktail HistoryFermentationBar Culture

Coverage Areas

Spirits
Cocktails
Sake & Shochu
Bar Reviews
Drink Culture

Latest Articles

Diners enjoying elevated seafood dishes in a warm, inviting atmosphere at Conchy Joe's Jensen Beach, highlighting its culinary transformation.
Restaurants

Conchy Joe's Jensen Beach Elevates Local Seafood Scene

After 35 years as a local staple, Conchy Joe's Jensen Beach, once known for its reliable but unremarkable fare, has quietly undergone a culinary revolution.

Jul 20, 2026 · 3 min read

A close-up of a vibrant margarita cocktail on a bar, with a blurred background of a lively chain restaurant.
Restaurants

Chain Restaurant Margaritas: Price, Quality, and Value

A 'Best Fridays Margarita' at TGI Fridays costs $16.

Jul 19, 2026 · 4 min read

Young adults at a trendy bar savoring artfully crafted non-alcoholic and low-ABV cocktails, showcasing a shift in modern drinking culture.
Drinks

Why Gen Z Is Choosing Non-Alcoholic & Low-ABV Drinks At Bars

At Twelvemonth, patrons opt for a zero-proof beverage pairing that commands a $40 price point, a figure typically associated with fine wine pairings.

Jul 8, 2026 · 3 min read

A strong ship representing the US economy sailing through stormy seas, symbolizing resilience against global economic challenges and trade disruptions.
Drinks

US Economy Shows Resilience Amidst Global Headwinds

US corporations are investing so heavily at home that capital expenditure now accounts for 13.

Jul 7, 2026 · 3 min read

Elegant Atlanta cocktail bar interior with patrons savoring unique, artfully garnished craft cocktails in a sophisticated atmosphere.
Restaurants

Top 8 Atlanta Cocktail Bars With Unique Offerings and Experiences

At Hartsfield Jackson's Concourse E, One Flew South, an airport bar, has garnered two James Beard Award nominations.

Jul 5, 2026 · 4 min read

Interior of the dimly lit, vintage-themed 1898 Speakeasy beer bar in Highland Park, with a bartender preparing a drink.
Drinks

Amy Morton Unveils 1898 Speakeasy Beer Bar

In Highland Park, renowned restaurateur Amy Morton has unveiled 1898, a new 'hidden' speakeasy.

Jun 26, 2026 · 2 min read

A kitchen counter filled with discounted appliances and cookware during Amazon Prime Day 2026, with a clock indicating the deals are ending soon.
How-To

Amazon Prime Day 2026 Kitchen Deals Vanish Friday, June 26

Hundreds of dollars off a Breville espresso machine are among the kitchen deals vanishing tonight as Amazon Prime Day 2026 concludes, marking the final hours for shoppers to save up to 77% on top bran

Jun 26, 2026 · 2 min read

A beautifully organized and well-lit modern kitchen showcasing a wide array of kitchen appliances and cookware, ready for culinary adventures.
How-To

Amazon Prime Day 2026 Features Kitchen Deals

Amazon Prime Day 2026 kicked off on June 23, weeks ahead of its traditional mid-July slot, offering kitchen deals and up to 65% off select devices.

Jun 25, 2026 · 2 min read

A luxurious caviar sandwich on Japanese milk bread toast, served at the new Capitaine seafood tavern in the West Village.
Restaurants

New West Village Seafood Tavern Serves Up Luxurious Caviar Sandwich

A new West Village seafood tavern, Capitaine, introduces a caviar sandwich on Japanese milk bread toast, blending high luxury with an unexpected twist, according to Ny Eater .

Jun 20, 2026 · 2 min read

A lively outdoor gathering at an Oklahoma Black rodeo, with people enjoying food and fellowship amidst cowboy traditions.
Culture

Oklahoma Black Rodeos show food as love language

For 24 years, the Demery family in Beggs, Oklahoma, has hosted an annual Fourth of July rodeo, establishing it as a vibrant culinary and cultural cornerstone for the Black cowboy community.

Jun 19, 2026 · 2 min read

An artfully presented bottle of artisanal mezcal on a bar, with a bartender preparing a cocktail in the background.
Drinks

Top Mezcal Selections Beyond Tequila and Rum

While many associate mezcal with a single smoky flavor, brands like Yola Mezcal achieve their unique profile through an extended six-day natural fermentation—double the typical three days—according to

Jun 18, 2026 · 3 min read

A stylish home bar featuring an assortment of colorful and refreshing beer cocktails garnished with fruits and herbs, ready for a party.
Drinks

Whip Up Easy Beer Cocktails at Home With These Recipes

Last month, online searches for 'beer cocktail recipes' surged 300% in major metropolitan areas, Google Trends reports, signaling a dramatic shift in home entertaining preferences.

Jun 12, 2026 · 3 min read

A professional chef meticulously cooks with a high-quality carbon steel pan in a busy restaurant kitchen, showcasing its performance under pressure.
Restaurants

Tests Reveal Top Carbon Steel Pans for Professional Chefs

A recent blind test by a leading culinary publication revealed a lesser-known carbon steel pan outperformed a legacy brand, favored by Michelin-starred chefs, in heat retention and natural non-stick p

Jun 12, 2026 · 3 min read

A gourmet salmon dish paired with glasses of red wine, showcasing the surprising compatibility between red wine and fish.
Drinks

What Are the Best Red Wines to Pair With Salmon?

Despite popular belief, salmon's rich, oily texture pairs beautifully with both crisp white and robust red wines, offering a broader spectrum of culinary enjoyment than often acknowledged.

Jun 9, 2026 · 3 min read

Young adults enjoying a social gathering with a variety of sophisticated non-alcoholic beverages, symbolizing the sober curious trend.
Culture

Gen Z's sober curious trend disrupts alcohol market by 2026

In 2024, almost a quarter (24%) of adults in England reported not drinking alcohol, a significant increase from just under a fifth (19%) two years prior.

Jun 8, 2026 · 4 min read

A collection of five colorful and refreshing summer cocktails garnished with fresh fruit, set on a patio table on a sunny day.
Drinks

5 Easy Refreshing Summer Cocktails Recipes for 2026

While 13 top bartenders predict intricate drinks like the wormwood-infused Blueberry Bijou for Summer 2026, rising food prices and a desire for nostalgia are quietly pushing consumers towards simpler

Jun 6, 2026 · 4 min read

Patrons savoring expertly crafted cocktails in a chic, modern aperitivo bar in Houston, highlighting the city's burgeoning sophisticated nightlife.
Drinks

Houston's Bar Scene Earns National Acclaim for Innovation

At Lee's, an aperitivo bar in Houston, patrons now enjoy sophisticated drinks in the same building as the acclaimed Italian-American restaurant Milton's.

Jun 6, 2026 · 2 min read

A meticulously crafted non-alcoholic cocktail from Diageo's Ritual Zero Proof line, presented elegantly in a bar setting.
Drinks

Diageo's Ritual Zero Proof Expands US Market Presence

On the day Diageo launched its new line of ready-to-drink non-alcoholic cocktails, its stock (DEO) declined by 1.

Jun 4, 2026 · 2 min read

A mother breastfeeding her baby, with a soft, warm focus on their connection and subtle nutritional elements in the background.
Restaurants

Maternal Protein Intake Impacts Milk Composition, Infant Health

New research reveals that while a mother's low protein diet will not reduce her breast milk volume, it will change its fundamental composition, specifically altering crucial nitrogen fractions.

Jun 1, 2026 · 2 min read

A luxury grocery store patron receives VIP treatment from a personal concierge, highlighting Erewhon's new high-tier membership benefits.
Restaurants

Erewhon's Premier & Reserve Tiers Cost Thousands Annually

To access a personal in-store concierge, daily free coffee, and assistance with cafe seating at Erewhon, members must now spend upwards of $15,000 annually.

May 28, 2026 · 2 min read