Calpico: Japan’s Beloved Milky Soft Drink
At Izakaya Juraku, we love introducing guests to the drinks that shaped Japanese food culture. One of the most nostalgic and refreshing is Calpico (known as Calpis in Japan), a sweet, tangy, milky soft drink that has been around for over a century.
A Drink with History
Calpico was first introduced in 1919 by Kaiun Mishima, the founder of Calpis Co., inspired by fermented dairy drinks he encountered in Mongolia. He wanted to create something that was both refreshing and good for digestion. The result was Calpis, Japan’s first commercially produced lactic acid beverage.
Its flavor is slightly tart, creamy, and subtly sweet — almost like a mix between yogurt and lemonade. Because of its unique taste, it quickly became a household staple and remains one of Japan’s most beloved soft drinks to this day.
Why “Calpico” in the U.S.?
In Japan, the drink is still called Calpis, but when it was exported to English-speaking countries, the name was changed to Calpico for marketing reasons. The flavor, however, remains exactly the same.
How It’s Enjoyed in Japan
Diluted with water – Traditionally, Calpis concentrate is mixed with cold water to make a light, refreshing drink.
Mixed with milk – For extra creaminess and sweetness.
With soda water – A sparkling Calpis soda is especially popular in the summer.
As a mixer – Calpico is a common cocktail base in Japan, pairing beautifully with shochu, sake, and even vodka.
Calpico at Izakaya Juraku
At Izakaya Juraku (121 Ludlow St, NYC), we offer Calpico as a refreshing non-alcoholic option and as a mixer in cocktails. Its balance of sweetness and tang pairs perfectly with Japanese izakaya fare, cutting through savory dishes while adding a nostalgic Japanese touch.
Follow us on Instagram and visit our website to see our full drink menu and special pairings.
カルピコ：日本の定番ソフトドリンク
Izakaya Jurakuでは、日本の食文化を彩ってきたドリンクを紹介しています。その中でも懐かしさと爽やかさを兼ね備えたのが、**カルピコ（日本名：カルピス）**です。
歴史と誕生
カルピスが誕生したのは1919年。創業者の三島海雲がモンゴルで出会った発酵乳飲料にヒントを得て、消化に良く爽やかな飲み物を作ろうと考えたのが始まりです。
ヨーグルトのような酸味とレモネードのような爽快さが特徴で、日本初の乳酸菌飲料として大ヒットしました。
なぜ海外では「Calpico」？
日本では今も「カルピス」の名前で販売されていますが、英語圏では発音の都合から**「Calpico」**にブランド名を変更して販売されています。味は同じです。
日本での飲み方
水で割る – 伝統的な楽しみ方で、爽やかですっきり。
牛乳で割る – より濃厚で甘くまろやかに。
炭酸水で割る – 夏に人気のカルピスソーダ。
お酒とミックス – 焼酎、日本酒、ウォッカなどとの相性も抜群。
Jurakuでのカルピコ
**Izakaya Juraku（NYC・121 Ludlow St）**では、カルピコをノンアルコールドリンクとしても、カクテルのミキサーとしても提供しています。爽やかな酸味と優しい甘さは、居酒屋料理の旨味を引き立て、日本の懐かしさを感じさせてくれます。