英語They’re everywhere—lined up in liquor stores, supermarkets, and even konbini (Japan’s super convenient convenience stores). The variety is amazing, and the flavors are surprisingly delicious. If you’re visiting Japan, you might be shocked by just how many options there are! The Japanese alcohol market is full of fun and flavor, and today, we’re diving into the world of canned chu-hi.
What is Chu-hi?
Chu-hi is short for “shochu highball,” and it’s also known as “sour” in Japanese. It’s a popular alcoholic drink made by mixing shochu—a traditional Japanese distilled spirit—with soda water and fruit flavors like lemon, lime, or peach.
Originally, chu-hi was made with barley or potato shochu, but many modern versions use vodka instead for its clean, neutral taste. You’ll find a wide variety of chu-hi at izakaya (Japanese-style bars), and thanks to beverage companies, canned chu-hi is now available almost everywhere—from supermarkets to konbini.
Alcohol content usually ranges from 3% to 9%, depending on the brand and style. It’s especially loved by those who enjoy light, fruity drinks that are easy to sip and super refreshing!
Suntory ー196
Let me introduce one of Japan’s most delicious canned chu-hi: ー196 from Suntory. This series comes in several fruity flavors like lemon, muscat, and peach—but what makes it special is the unique ー196°C method used to create it.
Whole, carefully selected fruits are instantly frozen at -196°C to lock in their freshness. Then, the frozen fruit is crushed into a fine powder, capturing its sourness, sweetness, bitterness, and aroma. This powder is soaked into liquor, creating a drink that’s bursting with real fruit flavor and fragrance.
Today, let’s take a closer look at the ー196 Peach—a juicy, refreshing chu-hi that tastes just like biting into a ripe Japanese peach!
Suntory ー196 Peach
This canned chu-hi has a 5% alcohol content, and from the very first sip, you’ll be surprised—it tastes just like a real peach! 🍑 The aroma hits your nose instantly, full of juicy white peach fragrance. The flavor is light, clean, and refreshingly crisp. It’s not overly sweet or syrupy like juice—it’s a proper alcoholic drink with a clear peach character.
Because it uses white peach, the fruit flavor is gentle and doesn’t overpower the liquor. You can still taste the alcohol, making it a great choice for those who enjoy a fruity drink with a grown-up edge. If you love alcohol but want something easy to sip, this one might become your new favorite!
Suntory is also offering ー196 Grape as a limited-edition flavor! 🍇 It’s super fruity—more like grape juice at first—but don’t worry, it definitely has that alcoholic kick. If you’re curious about how it tastes, be sure to check out my article below!
Summary
It’s getting colder little by little here in Japan, and after a cold beer, a lighter drink like chu-hi feels just right. Choosing today’s chu-hi from the fridge has become one of those small, enjoyable moments in daily life. With so many affordable and tasty options waiting for you, why not explore the world of Japanese canned chu-hi and find your favorite?
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