Chūhai

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Varieties of Kirin brand "Chu-hi" in a convenience store in Kyoto, Japan.

A can of lemon flavored "Chu-hi" with complementary peanuts attached to the top.

Kirin brand "Chu-hi" can Tokyo, Japan, 2006.

Chuhai (チューハイ or 酎ハイ, Chuhai^?), sometimes sold as chuhi, is an alcoholic drink originating from Japan. The name is derived from "shōchū highball" and is usually flavored with fruit or soda. It is a seasonal drink and can be served either hot or cold. The traditional chuhai is lemon flavored with a shōchū base, though some modern commercial variants have a vodka base. The flavors available have recently also multiplied, including lime, grapefruit, apple, orange, pineapple, grape, kiwi, ume (plum), yuzu and peach. Sold in bars and restaurants, the alcohol content can be quite low, allowing those with a low tolerance for alcohol to imbibe safely. Canned chuhai, however, can have alcohol levels as high as 7% (14 proof), and is often sold in convenience stores and vending machines. Chuhai is served in tall glasses or mugs as drinks for individuals, making it less social than other traditional Japanese bar drinks like sake, beer, or whisky, which can be shared by pouring portions from a large bottle. Due to the high sugar content, the number of calories in each bottle can be quite high compared to other alcoholic beverages.