my friend has brought me a bottle of sake?

Depends on the type of Sake. Some are better cold, others hot. However all can be done either way if you wish.

Personally, I don't like it cold. Sake is very bitter when chilled and not all that pleasant tasting.

Warm however is totally blissful!

Warm it up to about 100-115 degrees farenheit or so (obviously you dont want to boil alcohol). Some people would say 115 or 120 is too warm, but I don't think so... so long as it's not boiling, you're fine.

Use your finger if you dont have a thermometer, it should be hot like tea would normally be. Not scalding, but also not merely lukewarm.

You can use a regular pot, but a double boiler is better if you have one.

And even better is to have a small pot with a small amount of water boiling in it.. then turn down the heat to med-low and place a filled sake flask in the water. It'll warm up in no time.

A Sake set would be nice (small pitcher/flask with cups). But not strictly necessary. Small tea cups would suffice too in a pinch.

It should be served in small portions and either sipped or shot, depending on how used to it you are (and how toasty ya wanna get).

Tastes pretty much like tea when it's warm (which is sooo awesome). But as other posters have warned, it can really sneak up on you. It's pretty easy to be hanging out, laughing and all that.. go through 2 or 3 "flasks" and be superman drunk before you know it.

But that is one good thing... it's a good drunk. Happy buzz, pretty lucid. Minimal to no hangover. You may see why I call it superman drunk.

Have fun and enjoy Japan's gift to the world :)

(Oh.. and FYI: To be polite, you should always fill your guest's flask before your own.)

It depends which variety of sake it is. Some are best served cold and some are better warm. (100 ~ 104F) I only remember 2 things about sake: always fill your friends' glass first and drink responsibly; it can kick your *ss.

You should always drink Sake hot. I drink it with Japanese or Chinese food.

Just put it in a small tequila size shot glass and drink it. I like it best when it's chilled and very cold, what flavor did you get? They kind of taste like wine, so you don't need to add anything to it, just drink it straight up, very yummy!

I always find it is best after a selection of sushi(cold).

cold and in a pint glass and drink it with a straw............

drink it neat (but write a will first)

sake bombs !!!!!!!!