Solo Drinking and Highball Trends Drive Soonhari's Cumulative Sales to 82 Million Cans at Lotte Chilsung

34% Average Annual Growth Over Five Years Since May 2021 Launch

Successful Renewal and Diversified Lineup Strategies Aligned with Alcohol Beverage Trends

Lotte Chilsung Beverage announced on May 28 that its RTD (Ready To Drink) alcoholic beverage brand "Soonhari Jin" has surpassed a cumulative sales volume of 82 million cans in the five years since its launch. The brand's growth has continued, boosted by the solo drinking and low-alcohol culture that took root after COVID-19, as well as the recent highball craze.

According to Lotte Chilsung Beverage, since the launch of "Soonhari Lemon Jin" in May 2021, approximately 82 million cans (based on 355ml per can) have been sold through April of this year. This translates to an average of about 45,000 cans sold per day. If the cans, each 12 cm tall, were lined up end to end, the total length would reach about 9,840 kilometers—11.5 times the round-trip distance between Seoul and Busan.

Provided by Lotte Chilsung Beverage.

In the first quarter of this year, sales in the RTD category reached 6.5 billion won, marking a 74.4% increase compared to the same period last year. Sales, which were 5.1 billion won in 2021, the year of launch, have grown at an average annual rate of about 34% through last year.

The company explained, "After COVID-19, the culture of enjoying light drinks at home has spread, and as the mixology trend of mixing carbonated water and fruit has become popular, demand for fruit-based sparkling alcoholic beverages has increased." They added, "With the highball trend, where people mix whiskey with lemon or sparkling water, becoming mainstream, consumer preference for convenient RTD products has risen."

The product differentiation strategy was also effective. "Soonhari Jin" maximized the natural flavor and aroma of fruit by applying the "freeze extraction method," in which whole fruits are steeped at ultra-low temperatures for 15 days. By differentiating itself from conventional artificial flavor-based products, the brand has created a rich and authentic taste profile.

"Soonhari Jin" has recently aligned with the "Healthy Pleasure" trend that emphasizes health. Lotte Chilsung Beverage carried out a full product renewal last year, converting all products to zero sugar. By improving from the traditional fruit steeping method to the freeze extraction method, the brand enhanced both flavor and aroma while reducing the calorie burden.

The company is also actively expanding its lineup and marketing activities. In November 2025, it launched "Soonhari Grapefruit Jin," followed by the release of "Soonhari Yuzu Jin" and "Soonhari Sangria Jin" in March this year. The brand has broadened consumer choice by offering a variety of flavors such as lemon, grapefruit, yuzu, and sangria, and by segmenting the alcohol content into 4.5%, 7%, and 9% options.

The new advertisement video featuring brand model An Yujin has recorded approximately 24 million views since its release in April. More than 10,000 visitors flocked to the "Soonhari Jin Island" pop-up store, held in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, over 11 days last month.

A Lotte Chilsung Beverage representative stated, "'Soonhari Jin' is the result of our efforts to understand the changing lifestyles and trends of consumers and to deliver the true taste and refreshing sensation of real fruit." The representative added, "We will continue to strengthen our position as Korea's leading fruit-based sparkling alcoholic beverage brand and carry out marketing activities to satisfy the diverse preferences of consumers."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.