A day for sour cocktails

Sour Day (サワーの日) takes place on the 30th of every month. In Japan, サワー (sour) refers to a light, fizzy alcoholic drink, similar to a cocktail, but simpler and very easy to drink. It’s one of the most common items on izakaya menus.

Takara Shuzo, the Kyoto‑based company known for producing shochu, sake, and a wide range of alcoholic beverages, started this anniversary. The company chose the date through wordplay—“sa” (3) and “wa/wa‑” (輪 = 0)—and hopes people will enjoy a sour cocktail at the end of each month. The anniversary also promotes the broader sour (サワー) market, especially the classic lemon sour, made by mixing kōrui shochu with lemon juice and soda.

I am not a "sour" drinker myself, but my husband is. It is very popular in Japan, but it is also becoming more popular overseas too. Suntory recently started selling a type of sour, "-196 C" in my home country, Ireland, and it has been very well received. Are sour cocktails popular in your home country? And / or do you drink it here in Japan?