SodaStream and Japanese brands unveil new summer drinks

SodaStream introduced a diluted fruit‑vinegar beverage called “くだものVinegar” on 22 July 2026. The 350 mL cans are sold in three flavors—lemon, pomegranate and apple—and are marketed as low‑calorie (under 15 kcal per 100 mL), sweetened with the plant‑derived sweetener tau‑machin and fortified with prebiotic fructooligosaccharides. The company promotes the drink for summer hydration, health, and as a mixer for alcoholic cocktails.

In Japan, several major beverage makers launched a range of canned alcoholic drinks for the summer week of 28 July 2026. Suntory expanded its “‑196” line with a year‑round ruby‑grapefruit chūhai. Asahi Beer released a limited‑edition lemon‑cola sour with real lemon slices. Kirin introduced a sugar‑free, unsweetened “Hiyaku Miyazaki Hiyu‑natsu” citrus‑flavored beer. Whisk(e)E offered a lemon‑flavored Irish‑whisky highball, while Lawson’s “Zero Sour” line added a salt‑and‑lychee variant. These products target hot‑weather drinking occasions and emphasize refreshing, low‑sweetness profiles.