Beverage giant seeks to make Japanese-style karaage fried chicken and chu-his an even better combination.

Japanese supermarkets and convenience stores devote a lot of space to canned alcoholic beverages, but not all of it is beer. Just as much real estate in the cooler cases belongs to the extensive array of canned cocktails called chu-his.

The base for chu-his is shochu, a distilled liquor usually made from rice or barley, and just about any fruit flavor is fair game to mix in. As such, most companies have a rotating lineup of seasonal flavors, but Suntory is about to release an especially unique chu-hi for its Strong Zero line, called the -196°C Strong Zero Salty Lemon Exclusively for Karaage.

So what’s karaage? Japanese-style fried chicken!


Seasoned with garlic and ginger, karaage is popular with people of all ages, but it’s an especially beloved accompaniment to a few stiff drinks. Wisely reasoning that people picking up a canned chu-hi to enjoy at home also often pick up some take-out karaage to go with it, Suntory has crafted its new Strong Zero to be the perfect pairing for karaage, with an especially strong lemon flavor to mimic the squeeze of fresh lemon juice that’s customarily added to karaage before eating it, plus a salty finish to accentuate the chicken’s meaty deliciousness.

-196°C Strong Zero Salty Lemon Exclusively for Karaage goes on sale November 26 in both 350 and 500 milliliter (11.8 and 16.9-ounce) cans. Just remember that, like all Strong Zero flavors, they’re nine percent alcohol, so remember to pace yourself (on both the booze and bird).

Source: PR Times via Livedoor News/Gadget Tsushin via Otakomu
Top image: PR Times
Insert image: Pakutaso
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