The generally accepted origin story of the sake bomb starts at the end of World War II. American soldiers only had access to poor-quality sake, which was likely stored improperly, and couldn't manage to drink it straight. So, along with heating the liquid to taste-killing degrees, the sake bomb was one method of quickly quaffing the otherwise poor-tasting liquor.

Decades after the war, American college students can still be found in cheap sushi joints all over the U.S. carrying on this grand tradition.

A sake bomb is essentially a shot or cup of sake carefully balanced on two chopsticks over a half-full glass of beer. Traditionally, the sake was warmed before serving, but since it's far easier these days to get a wide variety of (much better!) sake as well as beer, you can enjoy your sake shot hot or cold as you prefer. Each bar or restaurant may well have its own signature sake bomb.

To enjoy a sake bomb, the first step is to procure the beer and sake and arrange them as pictured above. The chopsticks need to be spread apart just wide enough to allow the sake to drop directly into the glass. Once the stage is set, all participants begin chanting—for example: "Ichi, ni, san… (One, two, three) sake!"—and bang the table or counter top at the same time, causing the cups of sake to splash unceremoniously into the beers. With the sake cup still in the glass, the imbiber drinks the entire mixture in one chug.

This Los Angeles nightspot has the right idea for getting the party started. Whether you drink with the whole bar or just a couple of friends, sake bombs are sure to make your popularity "blow up!"

Now before you go out, be sure to brush up on sake at our Sake School!