Coca-Cola has confirmed that it will be launching an alcopop-cooler style drink in Japan.
The soft drink maker is keeping the exact details a secret but there is a growing appetite for Chu-Hi in Japan, and Coca-Cola wants to cash in on it.
Chu-Hi is a sparkling flavoured drink that like Coke is canned and its alcoholic kick comes from a Japanese spirit called shochu.
A shochu is comparable to a Smirnoff Spin or Archers here in SA, except it's in a can and not a bottle.
The BBC reports that Jorge Garduno, Coca-Cola's Japan president said: “We haven't experimented in the low alcohol category before, but it's an example of how we continue to explore opportunities outside our core areas."
There are no future plans right now for the drink to be sold outside Japan, but Coca-Cola continues to diversify its business by acquiring shares in tea and water brands as consumers become more concerned about their daily sugar intake.
In the 90’s alcoholic coolers and ciders fast became trends at bars, pubs and nighclubs, Coca-Cola will be hoping it’s ahead of the competition if there’s a second wave of it once again becomes a global trend.