Asian Drinks Guide: Explore Exotic Flavours and Refreshing Traditions

Interest in Asian culture and cuisine is steadily growing. Alongside dishes like ramen, sushi, and kimchi, beverages are also gaining more attention. However, anyone looking for variety at their local supermarket will quickly find the options limited. The sheer diversity of flavours, from fruity-sweet to creamy-tart, can be overwhelming.

This article serves as your guide. It introduces a selection of compelling Asian drinks and provides practical tips to help you choose. Our goal is to give you a clear overview of some of the options available, so you can discover new and authentic taste experiences.

What to Look for When Buying Drinks from Asia

The selection of exotic drinks is vast. To find products that match your preferences, the following points can be helpful.

1. Understand Flavours and Drink Types

Asian beverages can be broadly divided into several categories. These include:

• Fruit Juice Drinks and Nectars: Often based on tropical fruits like lychee, mango, or guava. A lychee drink is a classic example.
• Tea-Based Drinks: Chilled teas, often infused with fruit flavours like peach or lemon. A melon iced tea offers an unconventional yet refreshing alternative.
• Milk and Yoghurt Drinks: Creamy, often lightly sweetened beverages, some of which are carbonated.
• Sodas and Soft Drinks: This category often features unique combinations, like the Korean soda that blends milk and carbonation.

Knowing these types helps you better set expectations for taste and texture.

2. Check the Ingredients List and Nutritional Information

Checking the label is always recommended. Pay attention to the sugar content, the type of sweeteners used (e.g., sugar, fructose syrup), and the presence of artificial additives. Those with allergies should carefully check the ingredients list for allergens like milk, soy, or nuts, which may be present in some drinks. The nutrition facts table provides information on calorie content and other values per 100 ml.

Our Selection of Asian Drinks

Here is a curated selection of drinks that offer a glimpse into the diverse world of Asian flavours.

Guozixiashan Hawthorn Refreshing Drink

What Makes It Special This drink is based on hawthorn, a fruit rarely used in European beverages. Its flavour is a distinctive blend of sweet and sour, making it an interesting alternative to conventional fruit juices.

Key Features

• Flavour Profile: A balanced sweet-and-sour taste that can stimulate the appetite.
• Serving Suggestion: Served chilled, it's an ideal thirst-quencher.
• Packaging: The 410 ml can is convenient for on-the-go and easy to store.
• Ingredients: Made with water, hawthorn, sugar, and food additives like citric acid.

Who Is It For? For those who appreciate tart and fruity flavours and are looking for an alternative to overly sweet Asian soft drinks. It pairs well as an accompaniment to meals.

Sagiko Lychee Drink

What Makes It Special The Sagiko Lychee Drink captures the characteristic, floral-sweet taste of the lychee fruit. It is a classic example of a tropical fruit beverage from Southeast Asia and offers an authentic flavour experience.

Key Features

• Texture: Light and smooth, not thick or syrupy.
• Authenticity: Made with lychee puree for a natural fruit taste.
• Versatility: Perfect as a thirst-quencher on warm days or as a companion to spicy Asian dishes.
• Net Content: 320 ml per can.

Who Is It For? For lovers of tropical fruits and newcomers who want to try a well-known and popular lychee drink.

POKKA Melon Iced Tea

What Makes It Special This iced tea combines the robust flavour of brewed black tea with the sweetness of melon juice. This fusion creates a unique aroma where the tea and fruit notes complement each other.

Key Features

• Flavour Combination: Blends black tea with fruity melon juice concentrate.
• Sweetness: Refreshingly sweet without being overpowering.
• Additives: Contains ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) as an antioxidant, according to the manufacturer.
• Calorie Content: Approximately 42 kcal per 100 ml, according to the nutritional information.

Who Is It For? For iced tea lovers looking for a fruity twist, as well as for consumers who appreciate a balance between tea and fruit aromas.

LOTTE Milkis Melon

What Makes It Special Milkis is a famous Korean soda distinguished by its unique texture: it's carbonated like a soda but simultaneously creamy due to the addition of skimmed milk powder. The melon variety offers a sweet, fruity taste.

Key Features

• Texture: An unusual combination of creamy and fizzy.
• Ingredients: Contains filtered water, sugar, carbon dioxide, and skimmed milk powder.
• Vitamins: A source of Vitamin A and Vitamin D3, according to the manufacturer.
• Allergen Information: Contains milk and soy.

Who Is It For? For adventurous consumers, fans of Korean pop culture, and anyone who wants to try an unconventional soda with a creamy, fruity profile.

Ready to Discover More Exotic Drinks?

This selection represents just a small sample of the available products. The world of Asian beverages offers a wealth of other flavours, from spicy ginger beer to sweet bean drinks.

For a wider selection of flavours and brands, take a look at our complete collection of canned drinks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can you buy authentic Asian drinks?

Authentic drinks from Asia are most easily purchased from specialised online shops that offer a broad and well-curated selection. Alternatively, larger Asian supermarkets in urban areas often have a diverse beverage section.

Are Asian soft drinks sweeter than European ones?

The sugar content varies widely by product and brand. Some drinks, like unsweetened teas or certain herbal beverages, contain little to no sugar. Others, particularly fruit nectars and sodas, can have a sugar content similar to or higher than their European counterparts. A look at the nutrition facts table on the label will provide precise details.

What is special about a lychee drink?

A lychee drink is characterised by its distinctive aroma, often described as floral, sweet, and slightly fragrant. The lychee is a popular fruit in many parts of Asia. Drinks made with real lychee puree or juice offer a particularly authentic taste that is distinctly different from artificial flavourings.

Your Joybuy Product Recommendation Officer