The term "kikuzake" refers to sake in which chrysanthemum blooms are steeped, which is provided on the Chrysanthemum Festival (September 9 according to the old calendar), which is called 'Choyo no sekku' or 'Kiku no sekku' in Japanese.
菊酒とは重陽の節句（旧暦の九月九日）いわゆる「菊の節句」に飲む菊の花を浸した日本酒のこと。