This is the Kimura Sakura Cola, a carbonated soft drink containing cherry blossom extract from Japan.

The beverage was a transparent pale pink colour with a sweet, slightly acidic aroma that recalled sakuranbo or Japanese cherries (a different species from which we get cherry blossoms) and a moderate carbonation. Served chilled, floral notes — delicate like the faint lilac/rose notes of the blossom itself — came through faintly at the head of each sip and developed with a bold sweetness in the body that brought the cherry blossom flavour to life. The sweetness was strong yet the bubbles at the end of each sip cleared the palate for a clean aftertaste.

This beverage surprised us by how well it captured the floral scent of sakura blossoms; we expected it to be a hanami gimmick yet it delivered the promised cherry blossom aroma with flare.

This Kimura Sakura Cola contained 240 mL. It was produced in Japan and purchased in Sydney, Australia in 2022.