Always looking to court a new demographic of drinkers, Kirin seems to have listened to market research indicating that not everyone likes going overboard with booze.
The answer is Butterfly, a drink boasting just 1 percent alcohol by volume. The beverage (¥135) comes in three flavors, each with a name more embarrassing to say aloud than the last: "Take It Easy! Apple," "Let's Go! Ginger," "Happy-Go-Lucky Tea." As cringe inducing as the names are, the alcopop itself goes down easy and is basically a gentle, carbonated drink — there are far harsher alcohol-free ginger ales out there.
Butterfly may seem like a silly idea at first, but it tastes pleasant and clearly isn't for those looking to get blind drunk. If you want to experience a night of drinking without the morning-after slump, here's your new go-to.
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