If you go to Japan in summer, may be you will not have a mood to drink a sake or shochu. So why not drink cocktail?
Cocktails in Japan are not only served at pools, beaches or fancy bars but also at affordable restaurants. Therefore, if you eat foreign cuisine as like Thai, Vietnamese, Indian or Mexican foods, better to drink local beverage or cocktails instead of sake or Japanese beer.
Due to qualities of non-Japanese cuisines in Japan are quite high, you should try one of these cuisines during your stay. Then, please forget about ordering sake. Especially sake is not a beverage accompanied with hot spicy foods!