There has been a huge spike in consumer interest in non-alcoholic or low-alcohol beverages in recent years, and mocktails have become more popular than ever. If you're looking for something with a flavorful punch but no booze, then look no further than Amazake.

While not as popular as its alcoholic cousin sake, Amazake has a long and storied history that goes back centuries. It was mentioned in the Nihon shoki, or "Chronicles of Japan," as Reishu, and was supposedly given to a Japanese emperor in 289 A.D.

Amazake is very similar to sake, as it contains steamed rice, water, and rice koji, but since it lacks yeast it does not convert sugars into alcohol. The rice in Amazake still ferments, meaning it has the complex flavors associated with an alcoholic drink without the buzz.

Amazake has a pleasantly light sweetness to it thanks to the natural sugars released by the rice and koji, but it can also have a "funky" depth of flavor to it thanks to its fermented nature, per Timeout. The versatile drink can be enjoyed throughout the year, and it's easy to make at home with minimal equipment.