Money What is sake? The ins and outs of the Japanese alcoholic beverage and how it’s made. October 4, 2022October 26, 2022Clare Mulroy, USA TODAYComments Off on What is sake? The ins and outs of the Japanese alcoholic beverage and how it’s made. Sake is a Japanese alcoholic beverage made from rice. The drink can be dry or sweet, and is a bit more acidic than beer. It has an umami flavor.