The original akumochizake was kuroki (a black sake) which was a type of sake brewed since the Heian Period for offering to the gods, and this was brewed by adding rice and water to malted rice and fermenting before adding charcoal made from grasses or trees.
灰持酒の原型は、平安時代から醸造されていた御神酒の一種である黒酒（くろき）であり、これは米麹に飯と水を入れて発酵させた後、草や木の灰を混入している。