Kokuto De Lequio Brand Story

Kokuto De Lequio is a celebration of the rich, untold history of Okinawa’s local ingredients, brought to life through the collaboration between two visionaries: Shingo Gokan, one of the world’s top bartenders and Mizuho Shuzo, one of Okinawa’s most revered distilleries. The name “Kokuto De Lequio” is a tribute to both the past and the future. The word Lequio harks back to the Age of Discovery when Spanish and Portuguese explorers first named the Okinawa Islands “Lequio,” a name synonymous with the island’s abundant natural beauty. Kokuto, meaning Okinawan black sugar, is one of the island’s proudest exports, with a 400-year history. The creation of Kokuto De Lequio is not merely about bringing traditional ingredients into the spotlight. It also tackles a broader, ongoing challenge, the revitalization of Okinawa’s agriculture. When tourism came to a halt during the pandemic, Okinawan black sugar and other local harvests lost one of their primary outlets, resulting in unsold goods that threatened local farmers’ livelihoods.  Kokuto De Lequio was born from this challenge, offering a platform for these overlooked yet extraordinary ingredients to flourish. But the collaboration goes beyond just fine spirits – it reflects the vision to bring Okinawa back into the global conversation, starting with its unique crops. This series is designed not just for connoisseurs, but for anyone who appreciates the craft of the land, the care of the people, and the soul of the place. Every bottle tells a story of preservation, innovation, and support for Okinawa’s agricultural traditions.