Rice Wine

Store in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. Once opened, keep the bottle sealed tightly. Will keep for several months at room temperature; refrigeration extends shelf life. Alcohol content acts as a preservative.

Add rice wine late in cooking or let it simmer briefly to cook off excess alcohol while retaining flavor.

For cooking, use a dry or semi-dry variety rather than sweet varieties to avoid over-sweetening dishes.

Mirin (sweet rice wine) and sake (dry rice wine) are distinct products with different uses—check your recipe.

If alcohol content concerns you, simmer the dish longer to allow more alcohol to evaporate.

Confusing rice wine with rice vinegar—they are different products with opposite flavor profiles.

Using sweet cooking rice wine (mirin) in savory dishes without adjusting other sweeteners.

Adding rice wine to dishes and immediately serving without allowing heat to cook off the raw alcohol taste.