Coca Cola’s newest soda “Hot Ginger Ale” hit Japanese vending machines on October 21 and we have an official RocketNews24 tasting review for anyone not daring enough to take on the hot, fizzy drink. So before you shell out 120 yen (US$1.20), take a look at what our expert vending machine beverage team has to say.
“Hot Ginger Ale” from Coca Cola
Canada Dry Hot Ginger Ale is the new and quite literally hot thing in vending machines this autumn in Japan. But this product did not come about easily. As many of you will no doubt know, heat can kill carbonation. So the company set out on a four-year journey to create a soda that could be enjoyed warm.
Warm, but fizzy
So of course, we had to buy a can of the much talked about drink. It was indeed warm to the touch, just like many other canned drinks from Japanese vending machines. And opening it up made the same “pop” you are used to from soda. We poured our hot ginger ale into a glass and it fizzed up just the same as a cold drink. So far, so good.
Candy-like taste
Before even actually tasting the ginger ale, the most surprising thing was just how fizzy this drink was. It seemed like the carbonation was even stronger than cold ginger ale.
After the first swig, the sweetness and ginger taste came like a punch to the throat. This was an entirely new sensation. The drink tasted like a fizzy hard candy.
A perfect drink to warm you up
After finishing our hot ginger ale, we felt the warmth move all around our body. This was certainly not something you would get some regular old cold ginger ale. This would probably be great for someone feeling a little under the weather during the cold winter months as it’s so sweet, warm and soothing.
The only downside to this drink is that the bubbles do not last very long. So unless you want to drink warmed-up sweet ginger water, we recommend drinking your hot ginger pretty soon after you open it!
Photos: RocketNews24
[ Read in Japanese ]
Ginger ale flavored soy milk coming to Japanese stores, buckets sold separately
Starbucks Japan adds new Ginger Ale Cloud non-alcoholic coffee cocktail to Tokyo Reserve menus
Japan’s Coca-Cola Plus Coffee is here to keep you both bubbly and caffeine-charged
Would you drink hot ginger ale from a can? Coca Cola thinks you will
What’s on the all-you-can-drink menu at Denny’s Japan? 【Family Restaurant Drink Bar Showdown】
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Starbucks Japan releases new fireworks collection that captures the beauty of a summer festival
Starbucks Japan releases new Discovery Series collection celebrating local regions and traditions
Family Mart’s new Tokyo flagship convenience store doesn’t feel convenient, but is that a problem?
Tokyo’s viral 90-yen cafe pop-up returns to Harajuku with yogurt coffee
Japanese convenience store releases Japanese convenience store-flavor fried chicken
Japan’s favorite quasi-local curry launches convenience store version – Does it match the real deal?
Japan’s ultracompact kei car taxis are now ready for travelers to ride, if you know where to find them
Cup Noodle unveils first-ever cold-water instant ramen in Japan
Japanese government ID card and app to be required for certain Pokémon card purchases next month
Teen girl in Japan refuses to be victim, personally escorts train pervert to police for arrest
Is Japan’s tourism boom slowing down? Foreign visitor numbers fall for first time in five years
Evangelion beautifully reimagined as iconic classical Japanese folding screen art series [Photos]
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Kirin announces its entry into the peculiar new hot fizzy drinks market
Coca Cola Japan releases new flavour to combat the winter cold
Coca-Cola’s hot canned shrimp bisque: The newest reason Japanese vending machines are awesome
Japanese netizens explore the root of cola’s enticing taste
Cup Noodle Sodas: Culinary innovation or beverage abomination?
Alcoholic Coca-Cola set to go on sale in Japan as company enters the canned cocktail market
Coca-Cola Japan brings out a new design bottle exclusive to Okinawa
Japanese vending machines now have the strangest thing we never knew we needed: hot bottled water
In Japan, you can now get Coca-Cola pre-mixed with coffee【Taste test】
Can French fry and instant yakisoba-flavored sodas surpass kimchi as Japan’s best strange ramune?
Peach Coca-Cola coming to Japan in a world-first for the company
Coca-Cola’s new vending machines don’t need electricity during the day to keep drinks cold
We got our hands on a can of coffee-flavored Coca-Cola from Vietnam and it busted our senses
The cold getting to you? Have a warm drink — from a vending machine!
10 obscure Japanese vending machine drinks that fly under the beverage radar
U.K. coffee brand Costa Coffee releases first ever matcha flavor with new Matcha Espresso Latte