Tart, sweet, and bitter chuhai

Kirin Honshibori four types of lemon and hyuganatsu

Brand: Kirin

Price: 160 yen

Place of purchase: Belx Supermarket

Rating:

One of two varieties of Kirin Honshibori premium chuhais, this one is made from lemons (sourced from Italy, Israel, limes, and hyuganatsu. The latter is a citrus fruit originating in Miyazaki Prefecture. It's a large and oblong citrus, yellow in color, and noted for its sharp sour flavor. The sparkling drink has a tangy flavor that has the slightly bitter quality of the oil in the peels of hyuganatsu and limes. Like the other Kirin Honshibori premium chuhai made with three varieties of citrus and shikuwaasaa, this one has a good body.

According to Kirin's PR, consumers are showing a preference for ready-to-drink shochu highball drinks with meals. This one, Kirin Honshibori four types of lemon and hyganatsu, works well with pungent dishes such as mackerel and squid. I followed Kirin's brand site recommendation to chill it and then gently turn the can upside down to mix the fruit juice and pulp. Here's hoping this stays on the shelves for a while. It's a little more expensive than comparable canned chuhais but so much more flavorful.