I would try one bottle. But knowing my luck, I'd fall in love with it like Surge, and they would pull it out of the market.

*shudder* ew.

Hmmmm isn't this just Calpis/Calpico? That's pretty much what that tastes like too, fizzy yogurt.

Milk and Pepsi, a Laverne & Shirley favorite.

For those who haven't been in Japan, the irony is that while Coke and Pepsi are widely known brands, to actually buy it from a vending machine or a convenience store is somewhat rare. Carbonated drinks in general are not in the coveted 'eye level' row, but relegated to the bottom part of the fridge. Not to mention that your typical vending machine has 20-30 other choices, Coke/Pepsi seem bland by comparison. Canned coffee and tea choices can be almost overwhelming, especially when offered in both hot and cold varieties.

That's probably why they have to make up these odd concoctions in Japan. The competition is pretty fierce even amongst the brand itself, so you have to come up with pretty bizarre drinks to compete.

Personally when I visit I avoid Coke just so I can try out whatever new and insane drink they decided to come up with. They have a honey and ginger drink which is pretty tasty! Though I do wish they had more carbonated drink choices, but that's just me I guess. They just don't seem to like fizzy drinks aside from the usual stuff like melon soda or fanta.

this might be like dugh ([en.wikipedia.org]), a Persian yogurt drink. /me is half Persian and loves it.

I shudder to think of what it contains!

Flavors in Japan are awesome! When I lived there we would try all sorts of things, like pizza flavored chips and sweet potato ice cream. :)

Any importers?

@CorrieCJ:

I tried that once, because I loved that show, and it almost made me ralph.

@PageMagumbalee: Toothpaste? :3

Is it my imagination or has the drink separated? It appears as if there is a layer of clear liquid at the top of the bottle. If so, how would you be expected to mix it, since shaking a soda is a bad idea?

@Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->: Surge is now Vault, so no worries.

I see by the ring of clear liquid at the top that the milky stuff sinks to the bottom when left undisturbed. Does that mean you have to shake this carbonated beverage to properly mix it?

At first I thought this would be about a new version of Pepsi Clear...

Oh well..

I wish they'd bring back Crystal Pepsi.

I just sampled this today and reviewed it in a blog entry. The short version is that it is not like Calpis and is not like Pepsi clear. It is, quite frankly, a mixture of Pepsi and yogurt flavor. It's very strange, but not so vile as to be unpalatable.

(Full review is here if anyone wants details: [japanesesnackreviews.blogspot.com])

@PageMagumbalee: sugar, flavoring, citric acid, preservatives and caffeine

@satoru: Or like Yakult

Yoghurt soda is pretty popular in all of the Middle Eastern grocery stores around here, more so in the Iranian one than the Lebanese one...
Iranian = Persian, so Dugh it is!

I still haven't been brave enough to try it.

@ext212: I was just going to mention Yakult. I drank that stuff growing up in South America, and I loved it. I've never seen it here in the US.

@Jboy001: It ain't the same. I loved Surge when I worked the graveyard shift at a gas station.

@NobleCrayfish: Looks like someone just drank a little bit of it. No worries.

...and I just vomited on my keyboard.

ewwwwww.

@vladthepaler:

Thank you mentioning that. (I was going to write a rant if someone didn't mention it in the comments.)

I used to love Crystal Pepsi.

@Jboy001: Yeah, it tastes similar, but it isn't the same.

You can (or could last time I went) still aquire surge at the Coke factory in Atlanta in their museum.

Can Pepsi Sea Bass be far behind?

Mmm...that's good bass.

@satoru: heh...I thought your message said catpiss at first LOL but then I reread it but I was think hmmmm maybe because it sure don't sound very tasty either way. ;)

this is pepsi's equivilant of Pocari Sweat or Calpis, both of which are very popular pop drinks sold in Japan. This is identical in description. I don't live in Japan but been there four or five times now and while I don't recall seeing this drink, the description is akin to other popular Japanese pop drinks.

I'm not sure this is the same formulation from awhile ago but it seems like the flavor profile scientists at Pepsi never found a mix that could beat Calpico (love the peach and strawberry flavors).

Think I'll go mix a glass up right now!

@gc3160 - that homo that u know: Interestingly, Calpis is re-branded as "Calpico" in English-speaking countries because of the similarities to the pronunciation of "cow piss" - so your original reaction/reading isn't uncommon. :)

@vladthepaler: Ah, other Crystal Pepsi lovers! I miss it so...

@Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->:

Josta FTW. I miss it. Pepsi or whoever needs to bring that back.

I miss Coke Blak. I have been able to come close to the flavor by dissolving a little instant coffee and powdered creamer in hot water and adding it to regular Coke, but it makes it fizz up a bit too much.