Takara Shuzo Co., Ltd. will launch "Takara Shochu Highball Kire 5% Ume" nationwide in limited quantities on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
The "Kire 5%" series delivers the signature satisfying taste of Takara Shochu Highball along with a refreshingly sharp dry flavor thanks to strong carbonation, even at 5% alcohol content. Since its launch in September last year, the series has been well-received not only by existing Takara Shochu Highball fans but also by new customers who carefully consider alcohol content when choosing beverages.
In the RTD (Ready to Drink) market in recent years, "low alcohol" products have gained momentum amid diversifying lifestyles and values, along with growing health consciousness. Additionally, demand for flavors that "pair well with meals" and offer "dry (not sweet)" taste profiles has been increasing.
The newly launched "Kire 5% Ume" features a refreshing plum aroma combined with "Takara Shochu" as the base alcohol, creating a shochu highball-style dry chuhai with strong carbonation and a crisp finish. Despite its 5% alcohol content, the beverage delivers a satisfying drinking experience. Ume (plum) is a flavor whose sales index rises toward March, making it a popular choice during this season. Enjoy this limited-time "dry plum flavor that pairs well with meals."
Takara Shuzo continues to create new flavors and value in Japanese sake through reliable technology, contributing to customers' enriched and joyful lifestyles.
Product Overview
Product Name: Takara Shochu Highball Kire 5% Ume
Category: Spirits (carbonated)
Alcohol Content: 5%
Pure Alcohol Content: 14g per 350ml, 20g per 500ml
Contents/Container: 350ml and 500ml / Aluminum can
Packaging: 24 bottles per cardboard box
Suggested Retail Price (excluding tax): 350ml/¥159, 500ml/¥217
Release Region: Nationwide
Release Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Takara Shochu Highball Brand Site
This dry chuhai pursues the original "Shochu Highball" flavor that originated in Tokyo's downtown taverns in the late 1940s, which is said to be the etymological source of "Chuhai." The beverage has been well-received by customers for its signature satisfying taste unique to Takara Shochu, its refreshingly sharp and dry flavor, and functional aspects including zero sugar, zero purines, and zero sweeteners.
※1 Abbreviation for Ready to Drink, referring to alcoholic beverages such as canned chuhai that can be consumed as-is
※2 Source: Intage SRI+ FY2024 sales volume, indexed with annual average performance as 1
※3 Products with less than 0.5g sugar per 100ml are labeled as zero sugar according to food labeling standards. Ramune-wari, Budou-wari, Ginger, Taishu Sakaba no Ume-wari, Taishu Sakaba no Aka Shiso-wari, and Tateishi Uchida no Ume-wari-fu are not zero sugar.
※4 Products with less than 0.5mg purine per 100ml are labeled as zero purine.
※5 No sweeteners are used as food additives.
