Dole Japan has teamed up with Ethical Spirits, a distillery focused on sustainable production, to release Re:GIN Mottainai Yuzu Gin Soda — a canned gin soda crafted from yuzu peel extracts sourced from Tosayama, Kochi Prefecture. The product is available in limited quantities at approximately 350 Aeon and Aeon Retail stores across Honshu and Shikoku from May 27, 2026.
What Is "Mottainai Yuzu"?
The yuzu used in Re:GIN Mottainai Yuzu Gin Soda comes from Tosayama, a yuzu-growing region in Kochi Prefecture. After the yuzu is pressed for its juice, the remaining peel — which would typically be discarded — is used to extract the yuzu essence. The extraction process uses no solvents or water, relying instead on low-temperature methods that preserve the fruit's natural fragrance.
This approach gives rise to what Dole calls "Mottainai Yuzu" (roughly, "too good to waste yuzu"), an ingredient that captures the fresh citrus scent of yuzu without sending any part of the fruit to waste.
Kochi Yuzu Producers Join the Mottainai Fruits Action
This release marks the first time a domestic Japanese fruit has featured in Dole's "Mottainai Fruits Action," a co-creation initiative that extends the company's broader "Mottainai Fruits Project" — an effort to reduce fruit waste across the supply chain.
In January 2025, Ethical Spirits joined the action and released CACAO BANANA ÉTHIQUE, a limited-edition gin made with "Mottainai Banana." This new collaboration brings in yuzu farmers from Tosayama, Kochi, expanding the project beyond imported tropical fruits to Japan-grown citrus.
About Re:GIN Mottainai Yuzu Gin Soda
The product comes in a convenient can. When the tab is pulled, the scent of yuzu citrus immediately fills the air. It works well in many situations — brought along on outdoor excursions or enjoyed quietly at home.
Product Details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Re:GIN Mottainai Yuzu Gin Soda |
| Category | Spirits (Gin) |
| Ingredients | Gin (domestic) / Carbonated water |
| Volume | 350ml |
| Alcohol Content | 5% |
| Release Date | May 27, 2026 |
Botanicals used: Juniper berry, Mottainai Yuzu, Hop guririko, Ume (Japanese plum), Cherry blossom, Ginger leaf, Myoga stem, Green tea, Coffee grounds, Rosemary, Coriander seed, Orange peel, Shekwasha peel, Nigari (bittern), Angelica root, Orris root
The Mottainai Fruits Project
The "Mottainai Fruits Project" focuses on addressing food loss by repurposing fruit that — though perfectly edible — cannot reach market through normal distribution channels due to cosmetic or size reasons. The co-creation movement "Mottainai Fruits Action" encourages companies and organizations to find new uses for otherwise discarded fruit, with the goal of building a sustainable system where all fruit is valued as an important resource.
The story behind this collaboration, including interviews with three people involved in bringing "Mottainai Yuzu" to life, has been published on Dole's official website.
