Chuhai (酎ハイ) is a Japanese cocktail which includes Shouchu liquor and carbonated water flavored with fruit syrup, juice or other sweeteners. Chuhai has been a popular drink in Japan at bars and restaurants, as well as canned versions you can easily find at stores there.
Shouchu is a clear distilled liquor favored by many alcohol lovers in Japan. Shouchu can be made from various things, such as by distilling rice, potato, wheat, etc. There are generally two kinds of Shouchu; one has a stronger flavor from such ingredients (Otsu kind) and the other with much less flavor (Kou kind), similar to vodka. For making Chuhai, since the drink is mixed with something else for flavor, the latter more mild Kou Shouchu is often preferred.
Chuhai became popular in the 1980s as Izakaya food bars boomed. Since Shouchu is mixed with soda and sweet artificial flavorings, it appealed to a lot of young people just like wine coolers in the US (Zima anyone?). The flavorings have varied widely, like fruit syrup, Calpico yogurt drink concentrate, as we used here, or even soft drinks like ginger ale or cola. Chuhai continues to evolve, and mixing with unsweetened green and black tea (no soda) or fresh fruit juice such as lemon and grapefruit are becoming staple items.
Making Chuhai drinks at home is very easy, and adjusting the amount of flavoring and alchohol is nice, but finding the right Shouchu liquor can be a little tricky. A lot of Shouchu bottles you see at Japanese grocery stores are not suitable for mixed drinks since it has the more distinctive Shouchu flavor. So try to find the flavorless Kou kind of Shouchu, heavily distilled pure alcohol.
Chuhai is a great drink in the summer time. It’s cold and refreshing, and goes well with Japanese or any kind of dishes. Enjoy adjusting flavors and sweetness and try it tonight!
Chuhai Recipe
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Ingredients
Grapefruit Chuhai
- 3 Tbsp fresh grapefruit juice
- 3 Tbsp Shouchu
- about 1/2 cup 120 ml club soda
Calpico Chuhai
- 3 Tbsp Calpico syrup concentrated
- 3 Tbsp Shouchu
- about 1/2 cup 120 ml club soda
Instructions
- Fill ice half-way in a 12 oz glass. Add grapefruit juice and Shouchu. Then fill with club soda to the top.
- Do the same for Calpico Chuhai.
Video
