Delicious and easy to drink even for beginners. Recommended ranking of cocktails available at convenience stores.

Many people who are drinking alcohol for the first time or who don't like the alcoholic taste of alcohol would like to know what kind of alcohol is easy to drink.
Knowing which alcohol is easy to drink has many benefits, such as making drinking parties more enjoyable and making it easier to communicate with people . So, this time we've put together a guide on how to choose easy-to-drink alcohol and some recommended brands.

What kind of alcohol is easy to drink?

Even within the genre that is generally lumped together under the term "alcohol," there are in fact many different types. The taste and drinkability vary depending on the ingredients, manufacturing method, alcohol content, and aging period.
So what types of alcohol are generally considered to be easy to drink? Let's take a look at their characteristics one by one.

Liqueurs, cocktails and other sweet drinks

Easy-to-drink alcohol is often alcohol that has little bitterness or irritation when you put it in your mouth. This is what is known as "juice-like alcohol," and includes sweet alcohol such as liqueurs and cocktails .
Liqueurs are a type of alcoholic beverage that is known as a blended drink, and are characterized by the inclusion of ingredients such as fruit, herbs, and nuts in the alcohol. Fruit and nut liqueurs in particular tend to be sweet, and are popular among women .

<Examples of popular sweet liqueurs>

• Cassis
• Dita (Lychee)
• Peach Tree (Peach)
• Kahlua (Coffee)
• Malibu (coconut), etc.

However, even if liqueurs are sweet, they often have a high alcohol content and are difficult to drink on their own. Therefore, we recommend mixing liqueurs together or adding juice to a liqueur to make a cocktail .
Cocktails made by mixing liqueur with juice have a slightly lower alcohol content, making them easier to drink . The juice also adds sweetness, making the flavor more approachable.

<Examples of popular classic cocktails for beginners>

• Cassis Orange: Cassis liqueur x orange juice
• Kahlua Milk...Kahlua x Milk
• Malibu Coke...Malibu x Coke
• Cassis yogurt...cassis liqueur x drinking yogurt
• Peach Oolong: Peach liqueur x oolong tea, etc.

Low alcohol content

The alcohol content of alcohol varies greatly depending on the type. If you get drunk easily, try choosing alcohol with a lower alcohol content.
Beer, the standard drink for toasting, actually has a low alcohol content of about 5% . Compared to sake, which has an alcohol content of 15-16%, and wine, which has an alcohol content of about 12-14%, beer is a drink that does not make you drunk as easily.
On the other hand, alcohol in the category of distilled alcohol tends to have a high alcohol content because the alcohol is concentrated through distillation. Shochu, whiskey, brandy, and spirits are all distilled alcoholic beverages, so if you drink them straight, you may get drunk quickly.
If the alcohol content is high, consider diluting it. "Chuhai," made by diluting shochu with soda and adding flavor, and "highball," made by adding soda to whiskey, are popular and easier to drink because they have a lower alcohol content than drinking it straight .

Fruit-flavored drinks are popular

As we mentioned when talking about liqueurs, fruit-flavored alcoholic drinks are well-known for being easy to drink. Not only liqueurs, but also shochu with fruit flavors and sangria, which is made by infusing fruit in wine, are popular among women and have a reputation for being easy to drink.
Another great thing about fruit flavors is that you can enjoy their natural sweetness.

A mellow sake with a long maturation period

Some alcoholic beverages are not bottled and shipped immediately after production, but are aged and left to rest before being bottled. Alcohol that has been aged for a long time has a mellower taste with less harsh alcoholic flavors than non-aged alcohol (no age stated) .
For example, when it comes to whiskey, the taste perception changes greatly between non-aged products and aged bottles. If you don't like the sharp stimulation of alcohol, you may want to choose a drink that has been aged for a long time.
You can find out how long a drink has been aged by checking the name or label. For example, in the case of Suntory Yamazaki, products labeled "Single Malt Yamazaki" are non-aged products, while "Yamazaki 12 Year" uses whiskeys that have been aged for over 12 years.
However, alcohol that has been aged for a long time is often a luxury item compared to non-aged products . Not only whiskey, but aged cognac and vintage wine are also luxury items. Some products can cost tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of yen per bottle. Although the taste is easy to drink, it is not something you can try casually, so be careful.

How should a beginner choose their drink?

First, check the type of alcohol.

Types of alcohol	Alcohol content	Features
Beer	Approximately 5%	A brewed alcoholic drink made from malt It is popular for its low alcohol content and smooth taste. Some people may find it to have a bitter taste There is also a non-alcoholic version so you can enjoy it.
wine	Approximately 12–14%	A fermented alcoholic drink made from grapes and other fruits A combination of fruity sweetness and sourness There are varieties of red wine, white wine, and rose wine. Sparkling wines such as champagne are also popular.
Japanese sake	Approximately 15–16%	Brewed alcohol made from rice It is one of Japan's representative alcoholic drinks and is often drunk at celebratory occasions. There are various brewing methods, from Honjozo to Daiginjo. A wide range of flavors from sweet to dry
Shochu	Approximately 20-25%	A distilled alcoholic drink made from ingredients such as potatoes, rice, and wheat. In recent years, new shochu, Korean shochu, and awamori have also become popular. Low alcohol content among distilled alcoholic beverages Mix with water or hot water to make it easier to drink
Whisky	About 40% ~	A distilled alcoholic drink made from grains It is produced all over the world, and Scotch and Bourbon are the most famous. The longer it is aged, the smoother the taste becomes. Highballs mixed with soda are also popular as a healthy drink.
brandy	About 40% ~	A distilled drink made by distilling wine or other fruit liqueurs Cognac and Armagnac from France are particularly high quality. In addition to grapes, there are also varieties made from apples and cherries. An after-meal alcoholic drink with a gorgeous aroma
Spirits	About 40% ~	Distilled alcohol other than whiskey, brandy, and shochu Gin, vodka, rum, and tequila are the most popular. The smart alcohol kick is perfect for cocktails. Be careful, some of them have an alcohol content of nearly 90%.

The characteristics and alcohol content of each type of alcohol vary greatly. First, learn about the characteristics of each type of alcohol and then find the one that suits you best.
Since people have different preferences when it comes to alcohol, it's best to find a type of alcohol that you find easy to drink . If you can find a type of alcohol that you like, you'll be less likely to make a mistake when choosing your drink.

Check the label to see the alcohol content

Even if the alcohol is from the same category, the alcohol content and characteristics may vary depending on the brand and bottle. If you want to know more about what kind of alcohol it is, we recommend checking the label. The label will tell you the type of alcohol and its alcohol content. Check the information written on the label and use it as a reference for choosing your alcohol.
Sake may also have a sake meter value or acidity listed to help you distinguish between sweet and dry . There are also labels that contain information about the history and special features of the sake, so be sure to read them.

Check to see if you can easily order it at a convenience store or izakaya.

No matter how familiar a drink you find is, it's meaningless if you can't drink it casually. For those who don't want to make a mistake with alcohol, especially at a drinking party or in their daily life, it's important to find a drinkable brand that is available at convenience stores and izakayas .

10 recommended alcoholic drinks for beginners

1. Chamisul

• Type of alcohol: Korean shochu
• Alcohol content: 13-17%
• Characteristics: Korean shochu that is popular on social media and has many fruit flavors

Chamisul is a Korean shochu that has become a big hit, especially among young people and women. Chamisul is the "green bottle liquor" that often appears in Korean dramas, and is also available at convenience stores. Unlike Japanese shochu, it is made by combining various ingredients such as wheat, rice, tapioca, and corn.
In addition to the standard flavors, Chamisul also comes in many fruit flavors such as muscat and plum . Although it is a distilled alcoholic beverage, it has a low direct alcoholic stimulation and is very easy to drink due to the sweetness of the fruit.

2. Suntory Tipsy

• Type of alcohol: Chuhai
• Alcohol content: approx. 3%
• Characteristics: A classic canned chuhai that is easy to buy at convenience stores and supermarkets

Suntory's Horoyoi is a canned chuhai with an alcohol content of about 3% that is as approachable as juice. It comes in dozens of flavors, so it's easy to find one that suits your taste.
Among the Horoyoi flavors, the most popular and easy to drink are "White Sour," "Peach," and "Cassis and Orange." There are also limited-time and seasonal products, so be sure to check them out.

3. Suntory The Premium Malt's

• Type of alcohol: Beer
• Alcohol content: 5.5%
• Characteristics: A beer with delicious foam and little bitterness

Suntory's The Premium Malt's is one of the most popular beers chosen for year-end gifts. The fine, creamy foam makes it easy to drink and reduces the bitterness that is typical of beer .
It is also recommended as a challenge for those who want to learn to drink beer. It is made using a method that enhances the flavor and aroma of the malt, so it is perfect for those who want to experience the rich flavor of beer.

4. Kleiner-Feigling

• Type of alcohol: Liqueur
• Alcohol content: approx. 20%
• Characteristics: Low alcohol content for a shot drink and cute appearance

Kleiner Feigling is a liqueur that originated in Germany and is popular in the club and party scenes. It has suddenly become popular in recent years because of its stylish bottle that looks good on social media.
The alcohol content is 20%, which is moderate for a shot drink, and the taste is easy to drink. It is sold in a mini bottle, so it is recommended for those who like strong alcohol but can't drink a lot.

5. Lemondo Honey Lemon

• Type of alcohol: Chuhai
• Alcohol content: 3%
• Characteristics: Among the hugely popular Lemondou series, this drink has a low alcohol content and a sweet taste.

The Lemondou series sold by Coca-Cola is so popular that it is said to be the strongest lemon chuhai with its authentic taste. Although there are many bottles that are slightly dry, such as Oni Lemon and Shio Lemon, the "Honey Lemon" in the lineup is sweet, has a low alcohol content, and is extremely easy to drink .
It's sweet, but has the delicious taste of chuhai that doesn't rely solely on sweetness. It's easy to get hold of, so why not try it as your daily evening drink?

6. Torys Highball

• Type of drink: Highball
• Alcohol content: 7%
• Characteristics: A refreshing highball that is also popular at izakayas

Torys Highball is one of the highballs released by Suntory. It is a refreshing lemon-flavored highball that you can gulp down in one gulp.
Torys Highball is often sold at izakayas, so it is also recommended as a toast for those who don't like beer . It has less sugar than beer, so it is also recommended for those on a diet or who are health-conscious.

7. Yoho Brewing Yona Yona Ale

• Type of alcohol: Beer
• Alcohol content: 5.5%
• Characteristics: A craft beer that makes use of citrus aroma hops and has a low bitterness.

In addition to beer sold by major companies, there is also "craft beer." Beer made in small breweries is full of individuality, and you can enjoy flavors that you can't get from major manufacturers.
Among them, Yona Yona Ale from Yoho Brewing has a citrus flavor and is very easy to drink .

8. Fukunishiki Junmai Fu.

• Type of alcohol: Sake
• Alcohol content: 8%
• Characteristics: An easy-to-drink, low-alcohol sake that lets you fully enjoy the flavor of the rice

Sake generally has an alcohol content of 15-16% and is considered a strong drink. However, there are also low-alcohol sakes. If you like the taste of sake but are worried about getting drunk, try looking for your favorite brand of low-alcohol sake .
Fukunishiki Junmai Fu. is a sake from Hyogo Prefecture with a low alcohol content of 8% and is easy to drink. It is not diluted by adding water, but the alcohol content is adjusted to be low at the raw sake stage , so it is not too thin and is very delicious.

9. Lejay Creme de Cassis

• Type of alcohol: Liqueur
• Alcohol content: 20%
• Characteristics: The original cassis liqueur and a staple in cocktails

The first liqueur to check out is "cassis liqueur." Lejay Crème de Cassis is the original cassis liqueur and has a history dating back to the 1800s.
By adding orange juice to this liqueur, you can easily make the popular cocktail "Cassis Orange." In addition to orange juice, it is also recommended to mix it with white wine, soda water, or tonic water.

10. Choya - Smooth plum wine

• Type of alcohol: Plum wine
• Alcohol content: 10%
• Characteristics: The appeal is that it can be mixed with soda or water and can be freely arranged to be enjoyed.

Umeshu is a mixed drink made by steeping unripe plums in alcohol. It has just the right amount of sourness and sweetness, and is easy to drink, making it one of the most popular drinks among the general public. Choya's smooth umeshu is so familiar that it has even been featured on TV commercials, and it has a light taste and is easy to drink.
It is sold in a paper carton, making it easy to store and dispose of at home, and easy to drink daily. Since it is a straight plum wine, you can mix it to your liking.

Don't waste alcohol you don't like or drink by selling it to us

Alcoholic beverages are divided into various genres, and it is inevitable that some people like them and others don't. Even among people who like alcohol, there are clear preferences, so there is no need to force yourself to drink alcohol you don't like .
If you have received alcohol that you don't like or won't drink, we recommend that you use alcohol buying services instead of letting it go to waste. Alcohol with no expiration date can often be sold if it is unopened, and some bottles can be sold for a high price .
However, sake and beer may not have a best-before date, but there may be a clearly defined drinking time. Before the alcohol deteriorates while stored at home, it is best to consult with a purchase appraisal as soon as possible.
Linksus, a specialty alcohol purchase store, purchases and assesses a wide variety of alcoholic beverages, including wine , whiskey , brandy , Japanese sake , shochu , Chinese alcohol , etc. We offer the highest appraisal prices in the industry, so if you have alcohol you want to sell, please feel free to contact us.
Buy alcohol here

summary

This time, we focused on and introduced some easy-to-drink alcoholic drinks. What did you think?
There are a few points to consider when choosing an alcoholic drink that is easy to drink. Try to find a type of alcohol that suits you, such as a sweet drink or a drink with a low alcohol content. If you can find your favorite among the easy-to-drink drinks, you will surely enjoy your drinking party or evening drink.