Lion Launches Kirin Asobi Alcoholic Iced Tea in Australia
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Lion launched Kirin Asobi in Australia on September 3, entering the alcoholic iced tea category with a 4 per cent alcohol by volume premixed drink.
The zero-sugar line rolls out across national liquor chain Liquorland in 330ml cans.
Shochu Base and Flavour Options
Lion formulated Kirin Asobi with a blend of Japanese shochu, brewed black tea, sparkling water, and fruit juice. The lineup debuts with two options: Lemon and Peach.
Each 330ml can contains no sugar. That profile places the brand directly in the low-sugar premix segment, where major beverage makers are fighting for younger drinkers who avoid standard beer.
Premix Competition in Oceania
Japanese brewing group Kirin Holdings continues to push Asian spirit profiles into Western retail channels through its regional subsidiaries. Shochu and chuhai-style ready-to-drink cans have taken significant shelf space from malt-based seltzers across Australasia over the past two years.
Liquorland carries the range across its store network starting this week, with initial retail sell-through over the southern hemisphere spring determining whether Lion broadens distribution to independent banner groups.