Nostalgic taste from this shaved ice dessert drink at First Kitchen

Sunset Crown Vanilla Strawberry

Brand: First Kitchen

Price: 500 yen

Place of purchase: First Kitchen

Rating:

First Kitchen’s Sunset Crown Vanilla Strawberry is a limited-edition drink for summer 2026. I wasn't expecting too much when I purchased it, so I was pleasantly surprised by the flavor. There was something very nostalgic about it. I can't quite put my finger on what the taste reminds me of, only that it reminded me of something that I used to eat as a child in Ireland. Possibly freezer tubs of ice-cream. The shaved ice gives it a cool base, while the strawberry sauce adds a burst of sweetness. There is a real fruit texture too. The soft cream on top is smooth and rich, blending well with the icy strawberry layers. It’s visually striking too. At 500 yen, it feels like one of the more reasonably priced seasonal dessert drinks out at the moment.

Although, one of the more reasonably priced, 500 yen is hardly "cheap" either. However, more than just a drink, it is more like a dessert, so it feels worth the yen for a special treat. I liked the sweetness, but for some it may feel a bit too sweet - especially if you usually prefer lighter summer desserts or tastes. There is a lot in it too, if you are just looking for something that isn't too filling. But thanks to the ice it does stay cool, if you are in an air-conditioned building, so you don't have to rush eating / drinking it. It is a little hard to drink through a straw until it melts a bit. But you get a spoon with it too, so you can eat the fruit pieces rather than drink them.