Salted Drinks Surge as Japan Battles the Heat
As Japan swelters through another punishing summer, one ingredient is emerging as the star of the season: salt. Food and beverage makers are rolling out an array of salt-infused products, from drinks to chocolates and gummies. It's all part of a fierce retail battle to help consumers beat the heat, and sales are soaring as a result.
With heavy sweating causing the loss of both water and sodium, salt plays a vital role in maintaining the body's fluid balance. Now, companies are embracing it not only for its health benefits but also for its flavor-enhancing appeal. Shoppers, in turn, are gravitating toward products that let them replenish salt deliciously. People walking through Tokyo's Ginza under the intense sun. Central Tokyo experienced its first midsummer day of the year on July 20, in Chuo Ward. (©Sankei by Hayato Narita)
Beverage makers are spearheading the salty trend with creative, thirst-quenching offerings. Kirin Beverage has introduced a limited-edition "Lime Salt" drink under its Sekai no Kitchen Kara brand, blending zesty Mexican lime with a balanced salty tang. Asahi Beverages has followed suit with "Salt Cider," a seasonal twist on its classic Mitsuya Cider that features Okinawan salt for a hint of savory depth.
Both drinks meet the Japanese Ministry of Health's heatstroke prevention guideline of at least 0.1 grams of salt per 100 milliliters.
Kirin's flagship salty beverage, "Salty Lychee," has already posted a 10% year-on-year increase in shipments from April to June 2025. Its newly launched "Lime Salt" is proving even more popular, so much so that it's expected to sell out ahead of schedule.
Asahi has also seen a 5% boost across its lineup of heatstroke-prevention drinks, including popular brands like Calpis and Dodekamin. Vending machine sales have been especially robust, with the exclusive "Asahi Delicious Natural Water: Pink Grapefruit Salty" performing at a staggering 363% above projections. To keep up, Asahi has quadrupled production for July.
Other companies are riding the salty wave as well. Kikkoman Foods has introduced Del Monte Salt Tomato juice, while FANCL has launched a limited-edition powdered drink called "Summer Salt Lemon," designed to dissolve in water and sold both online and at its retail locations.
Lotte has spiced up its crispy Crunky chocolate line with a touch of pink rock salt, debuting Crunky Salt Vanilla for the summer season. Meiji, meanwhile, rolled out limited-time salted versions of its beloved almond and macadamia chocolates. The company blended Okinawan salt into both milk and white chocolate, creating a rich yet refreshing twist, especially recommended when chilled. Starting on July 8, FamilyMart launched a 'Salty Sweets' fair, featuring ten types of salt-infused desserts. (Photo courtesy of FamilyMart)
Meiji's summer salt lineup doesn't stop there. It also includes salted watermelon gummies, as well as "Salt Lemon" flavors of its Bulgaria Frozen Yogurt Dessert and Drinkable Bulgaria Yogurt. Altogether, the company has launched five seasonal salt-based products.
Convenience store giant FamilyMart kicked off a "Salty Sweets" fair on July 8, featuring ten varieties of salt-infused desserts. Standout items include a Salt Chocolate Tart, filled with ganache made from Lorraine rock salt and topped with whipped cream. Another highlight is the Fruit Cube Chocolat Salt Lemon, which combines lemon-flavored fruit cubes with a coating of salted white chocolate.
Other additions to the lineup include Salty Grapefruit Gummies and Salted Caramel Ice Bars inspired by Morinaga's classic candy. With Japan experiencing record early-summer heat, including the earliest end to the rainy season in western regions, FamilyMart emphasized that salt intake is just as important as hydration. "Demand for salt-based products is rising as people prepare for another dangerously hot summer," a company representative stated.
(Read the article in Japanese .)
Author: Suguru Kojima, The Sankei Shimbun
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