Asahi Launches New RTD Brand Asahi CLEAR HIGHBALL in South Korea
With plans to explore expansion into additional markets
(Tokyo, Japan - March 31, 2026) – LOTTE Asahi Liquor Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd., will launch Asahi CLEAR HIGHBALL, a new ready-to-drink (RTD) brand, on April 8 in South Korea. This marks the first time that canned RTDs under the Asahi brand will be introduced in the South Korean market.
Asahi CLEAR HIGHBALL is a 350ml canned cocktail made with clean-tasting whisky and soda water, offering a crisp, refreshing taste at 5% ABV. A hint of yuzu aroma lends a bright, elegant note, while a light touch of sweetness tailored to local tastes enhances its easy-drinking profile. The lineup features two variants: “Original,” which highlights the taste of whisky, and “Lemon,” which delivers a bright and refreshing citrus aroma. It is manufactured at Asahi Soft Drinks’ Akashi Plant in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.
Driven by factors such as evolving consumer preferences, South Korea’s RTD market expanded approximately fourfold between 2020 and 2024.1 The market is expected to continue growing, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10% between 2024 and 2029.2 Whisky highballs are one of the key drivers of this growth.
Source: IWSR (1, 2)
Through the new brand Asahi CLEAR HIGHBALL, which leverages the Asahi Group’s long-standing expertise in both alcohol and non-alcohol beverages as well as its blending technology, the Group aims to bring a new drinking experience to consumers in South Korea.
The launch reflects Asahi Group’s strategic focus on Beer Adjacent Categories (BAC)—including RTDs, non-alcohol adult beverages and adult soft drinks—one of the Group’s key growth pillars.
In line with this strategy and as the global RTD market continues to expand, the Group began international sales of Asahi ZEITAKU SHIBORI, a fruit-forward, vodka-based RTD originally launched in Japan, in 2025. The product is currently available in the United States and New Zealand.
To meet the diverse taste preferences within the RTD category, Asahi Group will look to expand the global presence of Asahi CLEAR HIGHBALL, with the aim of developing it into a global RTD brand.