So the rumours from last year are officially true, then.

Coca-Cola will be rolling out their first-ever alcoholic soft drink in October this year.

Before you get too amped about it, though, you should know that it will only be available in Japan.

The drink, which is called ‘Lemon-do’ (‘lemon chuhai’ in Japan) was market-tested last year and is apparently quite popular with the ladies.

According to the NY Daily News, a chuhai is often made by mixing carbonated flavoured water with a distilled grain-based alcohol called shochu.

So, it’s basically the Japanese version of vodka and Sprite – got it.

“This is unique in our history. Coca-Cola has always focused entirely on non-alcoholic beverages, and this is a modest experiment for a specific slice of our market,” said [Japan business unit president] Jorge Garduño in a post on the company’s website.

Coca-Cola has never directly sold an alcoholic drink, although the company did own a winery from 1977 to 1983, according to The Wall Street Journal. The Lemon-Do is their first attempt.

In May 2018, Coca-Cola introduced the Lemon-Do on Japan’s island of Kyushu, as part of that market test, with the available 3%, 5% and 7% versions.

In February they added a 9% version which was dubbed the “oni-lemon,” or “ogre-lemon,” in attempts to follow the trend of mixed drinks with higher alcohol content.

The company will officially launch the Lemon-Do alcoholic soft drink in Japan in October, Coca-Cola spokesperson Scott Leith told CNN.

The drinks, which all retail around $1,50 for a 350 milliliter can, don’t include any Coke.

They reckon people in the rest of the world won’t be too keen on the drink, so it won’t be going global any time soon.

If you’re feeling left out, you could always remind yourself that drinking alcohol created by Coca-Cola is probably not the best idea.

Then pour yourself a classy G&T, sit back, and congratulate yourself on your good taste.

[source:dailynews]