History & Shopping Guide to Japan’s Beloved Summer Drinks.

The weather is heating up, so it’s time to review Japan’s favorite summer drinks to cool down: Calpis, Pocari Sweat, and Ramune.

All About Calpis, Pocari Sweat, Ramune – Histories & Shopping Links

Calpis

Calpis was first created in 1919 by a Japanese who was inspired by his trip to Mongolia where he tasted airag, also known as kumis, which is a local cultured milk drink mixed with lactic acid. He found it tasty and healthy, and he wanted to recreate that drink in his home country. At first, he combined skimmed milk and lactic acid, but the product was not very popular. In the meantime, he mixed in lactic acid bacterium and sugar and left it for a few days in a test tube. The result was today’s recipe for Calpis, a milky, tangy yogurt drink that’s light and refreshing.

The name combines the words calcium and salpis. Salpis is a Buddhist word for best taste. In the US, Calpis was rebranded as Calpico to avoid associations with the word “piss”. It comes in a powdered form as well as already mixed with water or soda water. Plus, it makes for a great drink with cocktails like chu-hi.

Calpico Original Soft Drink, 50.7-Ounce (Pack of 2)

Pocari Sweat

Pocari Sweat first came into the Japanese market in 1980 as a mild-tasting, non-carbonated sports drink to replenish the nutrients and electrolytes lost while sweating, hence the name. Pocari doesn’t have an actual meaning, but the inventor said it sounded nice, light, and bright.

The creator was a pharmaceutical employee who was inspired by his trip to Mexico where he had diarrhea and wanted a drink that was both water and nutrients – essentially an IV solution drink to rehydrate. Rather than competing with Gatorade, Pocari Sweat found its market in Asia and the Middle East, and soon became Japan’s most successful non-alcoholic drink overseas.

Pocari Sweat PET Bottles – The Water and Electrolytes that Your Body Needs, Japans Favorite Hydration Drink

Ramune

Ramune is the oldest of the 3 popular summer drinks as it was first created in the 1800s. As it’s an older drink, the exact origins are unknown. It could have been first served in 1853 by American Naval Commodore Matthew Perry to shogunate officials. Or, in 1865 in Nagasaki Hannbee Fujise served lemon water called remon sui. The most known story is from 1884 when a British pharmacist in Kobe created a carbonated soft drink based on lemonade, hence the Japanese name ramune.

Ramune is really carbonated – so get ready for that first sip if it’s your first Ramune experience. The drink traditionally comes in a Codd-neck bottle which is a heavy glass bottle that is sealed by a round marble instead of a cap. And because of its refreshing carbonation, it is often enjoyed extra cold during hot summer months.

Ramune gift set 8 variety pack (Original Version)