Global beverage company Coca-Cola is set to break a more than 130 year tradition to venture into the manufacture of alcoholic drinks.
The company is currently experimenting with the manufacture of a popular type of Japanese alcopop known as Chu-Hi, containing distilled shochu alcohol mixed with flavoured carbonate water.
The low alcohol canned drink will be launched in Japan, after which it might be spread to other countries across the world.
The development was confirmed by Coca-Cola’s Japan president Jorge Garduño in an interview on the company’s website.
“This is a canned drink that includes alcohol; traditionally, it is made with a distilled beverage called shochu and sparkling water, plus some flavouring. We haven’t experimented in the low alcohol category before, but it’s an example of how we continue to explore opportunities outside our core areas,” he said.
“Coca-Cola has always focused entirely on non-alcoholic beverages, and this is a modest experiment for a specific slice of our market.
Garduño, who did not however specify a timeline for the new product.
The Coca-Cola Company, which is headquartered in Georgia, has operated a franchised distribution system since 1889, wherein The Coca-Cola Company only produces syrup concentrate, which is then sold to various bottlers throughout the world who hold exclusive territories.
