You've Seen the Izakaya Menu — Now Let's Decode It

You sit down at an izakaya, open the drink menu, and find yourself staring at a wall of unfamiliar terms. Lemon sour. Oolong hai. Strong Zero. Imo shochu on the rocks. What does any of it mean, and what should you actually order?

Consider this your friendly walkthrough of every major drink category on the Japanese izakaya drink menu: shochu (Japan's most popular spirit), canned chu-hi and sours (the fizzy, fruity crowd-pleasers), and non-alcoholic options that are just as authentic as anything with alcohol.

The best part? You don't need a plane ticket. All of these drinks can be ordered online right here in the US, so you can recreate the full izakaya experience at home.

Shochu 101: Japan's Most Popular Spirit You've Never Heard Of

Here's a fact that surprises most people: shochu outsells sake in Japan. It has for years. Yet most Americans have never ordered it, or even heard of it. That's starting to change, and fast. The global shochu market was valued at $1.2 billion in 2024 and is projected to hit $2.5 billion by 2033, growing at a 9.5% annual rate.

So what is shochu, exactly? It's a Japanese distilled spirit, typically bottled between 20% and 30% ABV — lower-proof than whisky or vodka, which tend to sit around 40% or higher. Like sake, shochu is fermented using koji mold, but the key difference is that shochu is distilled rather than brewed. The result is a clean, versatile spirit with a wide range of flavor profiles depending on the base ingredient.

The Five Main Types of Shochu

• Imo (sweet potato) — Earthy, bold, and aromatic. This is the most produced type, accounting for roughly 53% of all shochu made in Japan. Pair it with karaage (Japanese fried chicken) for a classic izakaya combo.
• Mugi (barley) — Smooth, mild, and the most beginner-friendly option. It makes up about 38% of production. Try it alongside grilled fish like shishamo or sanma.
• Kome (rice) — Light, floral, with a gentle umami quality. At around 4% of production, it's less common but worth seeking out. It pairs beautifully with sashimi.
• Soba (buckwheat) — Mild with a slight bitterness. A nice option if you enjoy clean, understated flavors.
• Kokuto (black sugar) — Sweet, fruity, and very approachable. Made from sugarcane grown in the Amami Islands, it's a great entry point for anyone with a sweet tooth.

You might also encounter Awamori, shochu's Okinawan cousin. Made with black koji mold and long-grain Thai-style rice, Awamori tends to be slightly stronger at 25% to 30% ABV, with a rich, distinctive character all its own.

How to Serve Shochu

At an izakaya, you'll typically see three serving styles. Rokku is on the rocks: straightforward and clean. Mizu-wari is diluted with cold water, which softens the spirit and makes it easy to sip through a meal. Oyuwari is diluted with hot water, and it's especially popular with imo shochu because the warmth opens up its earthy aroma.

The US shochu scene is growing, too. Producers like Horyzon Spirits in Atlanta, American Shochu Company in Frederick, Maryland, and Hawaiian Shochu Company on Oahu are making shochu domestically, giving American drinkers more ways to explore this spirit without importing a bottle from Kyushu.

Chu-Hi and Sours: The Izakaya RTD Drinks Explained

If shochu is the foundation, chu-hi is the party built on top of it. The name "chu-hi" (チューハイ) is a portmanteau of "shochu" and "highball." The drink itself is simple: shochu mixed with soda water and a flavoring element like fruit juice, tea, or syrup.

Chu-hi was born in post-war Tokyo as an affordable drink at tachinomi (standing bars), where working-class patrons wanted something refreshing and cheap. It stuck around because it's genuinely delicious.

Chu-Hi vs. Sour: What's the Difference?

At most izakayas, these terms are used interchangeably. If there's a distinction, "sour" typically implies a citrus-forward, tangier profile, while "chu-hi" can include non-citrus flavors like tea or grape. In practice, don't overthink it.

Popular Izakaya Chu-Hi and Sour Flavors

• Lemon Sour — The undisputed crowd favorite. Tart, refreshing, perfect with fried food.
• Grapefruit Sour — Slightly bitter, slightly sweet. A close second in popularity.
• Ume (Plum) Sour — Fruity with a floral tang.
• Calpis Sour — Creamy, milky-sweet, and surprisingly addictive.
• Yuzu Sour — Bright and aromatic, with that unmistakable yuzu citrus punch.
• Oolong Hai — Shochu with oolong tea. Mellow and food-friendly.
• Green Tea Hai (Ryokucha Hai) — Earthy and clean.
• Kyoho Grape Hai — Rich and fruity, made with Japan's prized Kyoho grapes.
• Shio Lemon Hai — Salted lemon, perfect for hot summer nights.

Canned chu-hi takes these same flavors and puts them in a convenient ready-to-drink format. In Japan, a can costs about $1.00 to $1.40, making it an everyday staple. The spectrum ranges from light, low-ABV fruit flavors to high-ABV "Strong Zero"-style cans that pack a serious punch. When buying online, check the ABV so you know what you're getting into.

The US market is catching on. MARU-HI launched in June 2025, positioning canned chu-hi as a more flavorful, culturally rooted alternative to hard seltzers like White Claw and Truly. Japan's RTD market backs up the momentum: valued at $510 million in 2025, it's projected to surpass $1 billion by 2034.

Non-Alcoholic Izakaya Drinks: The Full Menu for Non-Drinkers

Most izakaya drink guides skip non-alcoholic options entirely, or tack them on as an afterthought. That's a mistake. Non-alcoholic drinks have always been part of the izakaya experience, and they deserve the same attention.

Japan's non-alcoholic beverage market has grown six-fold over the past 15 years, and research suggests non-alcoholic drinks can reduce alcohol intake by 30% among regular drinkers. This is a genuine cultural shift, not a niche trend.

Classic Non-Alcoholic Izakaya Staples

• Oolong Tea — The default non-alcoholic izakaya drink. Think of it as oolong hai without the shochu. Cold, clean, and pairs with everything.
• Green Tea & Barley Tea (Mugicha) — Light, earthy, and naturally caffeine-free in the case of mugicha.
• Melon Soda — Bright green, unapologetically sweet, and a nostalgic favorite.
• Zero-Alcohol Beer — Japanese breweries like Suntory and Asahi produce excellent non-alcoholic beers that hold their own.

Calpico and Ramune: Iconic Japanese Soft Drinks

Calpico (known as Calpis in Japan) is a lactic acid-based soft drink with a slightly sweet, milky-tangy flavor. It's been around since 1919, and it remains a beloved izakaya option for non-drinkers and cocktail lovers alike. It's widely available online in the US.

Ramune is the iconic marble-sealed Japanese soda, dating back to the late 1800s. It comes in a huge range of flavors and is easily ordered online through specialty Japanese grocery retailers. Popping that marble is half the fun.

The New Wave: Zero-Proof Japanese Drinks

In 2025 and 2026, Japan's convenience stores began stocking zero-proof canned cocktails, non-alcoholic chu-hi-style drinks, and sparkling sake alternatives. Non-alcoholic umeshu, like Choya's alcohol-free version, gives you that rich plum flavor without any alcohol at all. These are genuinely authentic izakaya choices, not consolation prizes. They belong on the menu just as much as shochu does.

Where to Order These Izakaya Drinks Online in the US

Knowing what to drink is one thing. Actually getting your hands on it is another, and that's the gap most guides leave wide open.

Canned chu-hi, Calpico, ramune, and non-alcoholic umeshu are all available through specialty Japanese grocery retailers that ship nationwide. Shochu availability varies by state due to liquor licensing, but canned and non-alcoholic options ship freely.

Here at Tomato Japanese Grocery, we've spent over 20 years curating authentic, hard-to-find Japanese beverages from our family-owned shop in Marietta, Georgia. We carry a carefully selected range of Japanese drinks, including many featured in this guide, and we ship nationwide via UPS. If you're local to the Marietta area, you can also pick up your order in store.

Browse our online selection and bring the izakaya to your kitchen table. Have questions about any of these drinks? Reach out. We love talking about this stuff.

Bring the Izakaya Home, One Drink at a Time

The izakaya drink menu isn't intimidating once you know what each category means. Shochu is a versatile, lower-proof spirit with a type for every palate. Chu-hi and sours are fizzy, flavorful, and endlessly customizable. Non-alcoholic options are just as authentic and satisfying.

Start with whatever feels approachable: a smooth mugi shochu, a cold lemon sour in a can, or a bottle of Calpico over ice. Then explore from there.

The real spirit of the izakaya isn't about any single drink. It's about gathering with people you enjoy, sharing good food, and trying something new together. That translates perfectly to a home gathering. We'd love to help you stock yours. Visit Tomato Japanese Grocery online or stop by our Marietta shop, and let's get your izakaya night started.