Ramune Unbottled: What’s Behind Japan’s Most Iconic Fizzy Drink?

There is a ridiculous number of soda drinks out in the market right now. So, when one of them stands out, you know it has to be special. Well, “special” is the only way to describe ramune, and in this post, you’ll find out why. Hop on our ultimate ramune guide to get clear answers to all of the questions you might have about the drink, such as why it contains a ball, how to drink it properly, what flavors to try, and whether it's safe for kids. What Is Ramune? A Japanese Classic Explained Ramune is a type of Japanese soda drink. Known for its fizzy texture and iconic Codd-neck glass bottle with a marble seal, ramune is extremely popular in Japan, especially during festivals. The carbonated soft drink is also popular in many other parts of the world. Ramune’s history in Japan began in the 19th century. Alexander Cameron Sim, a Scottish pharmacist, was the first to bring the carbonated drink to Kobe, Japan. Back then it was a lemon-lime drink similar to lemonade. However, the pharmacist marketed it as a cholera cure. The drink, originally called “mabu soda,” became an instant hit in Japan, and its popularity skyrocketed in the years to come. Today, many brands make their own versions of ramune. But the majority of them still use the iconic glass bottle and marble seal. Top ramune brands include Sangaria, Hata, and Shirakiku. What Makes Ramune Soda Special? Ramune stands out from other types of soda because of its nostalgic value, unique carbonation, and aesthetic design. People of all ages love the colorful design of the Codd-neck bottles. Adults are especially fond of the beverage. They grew up drinking it and still feel strong nostalgia when they come across the familiar bottle. Unlike standard Western sodas, ramune’s carbonation remains intact long after you open the bottle. This is because to unlock it, you need to press the seal down until it drops into the neck area, where it blocks excess release of fizz and releases the drink. This unique design also adds a playful element to the ramune-drinking experience. Why Does Ramune Have a Ball in It? This is almost always the question newbies ask when they see a ramune soda for the first time. What you might see as a ball is actually a marble seal. But why is it in the bottle? The ramune “ball” helps to preserve the carbonation in the soda drink. When pressed down, the seal drops to the neck of the bottle but does not fall to the bottom because of two indentations designed to catch it. The marble allows just enough space for the flavored drink to pass but helps to keep the fizz from escaping. Originally, the marble seal was included in the ramune bottle solely to preserve its carbonation. These days, its purpose is a lot more traditional because the bottle caps on modern carbonated drinks can perform the same function. Japanese soda brands continue including the seal because it has become a part of ramune’s identity. How to Drink Ramune Properly (Without Spilling!) If you’re drinking ramune for the first time, there’s a high chance that you’ll spill some of the liquid. To ensure that you enjoy your drink the right way, take the following steps: Place the ramune bottle on a flat surface (table, counter, etc.) and peel off the plastic wrapping on top of it. Remove the bottle cap. This cap is actually a plunger or opener attached to an outer ring. Push the plunger with your thumb to separate it from the outer ring. It resembles a small plastic hat. Place the tip of the plunger (with the flat side up) against the marble seal. Hold the bottle with one hand and forcefully push down the flat end of the plunger using the heel of your palm until the marble falls to the indentations around the neck. Wait five seconds or until the fizz settles, and then remove the plunger. To enjoy your ramune, tilt the bottle so that the marble fits into one of the indents while you drink the free-flowing liquid. Avoid turning the bottle completely upside down to prevent spilling some of the liquid. Is Ramune Soda Safe for Kids? Ramune soda is non-alcoholic and safe for kids to drink. Children all over the world enjoy its sweet, fruity flavors. Also, the marble does not pose a choking hazard as it’s designed to be larger than the opening at the top. Parents should be aware that most ramune products come in a glass bottle. Hence, you should prevent kids from trying to eat the top or break the bottle in an attempt to get at the marble ball. Ramune also contains sugar, so you should keep kids from drinking too much of it. What’s the Flavor of Ramune? And Which One Is the Best? The original ramune soda has a sweet citrusy flavor that tastes like a combination of lemon and lime. Although there are many variants, the classic lemon-lime flavor remains the best. Other top ramune flavors are melon, strawberry, lychee, yuzu, and peach. Some ramune flavors are so unique that they are only available in specific regions. Examples include yogurt, takoyaki, curry, and wasabi flavors. Others are seasonal and only available at certain periods of the year. Ramune vs. Regular Soda: What’s the Difference? In this section, we’ll compare ramune to typical American sodas in terms of their core characteristics. Ingredients The sugar content in ramune is lower compared to most American sodas. Also, ramune sodas often contain natural ingredients, such as real fruit flavors, unlike Western sodas that use artificial flavors. Hence, ramune is a healthier alternative to regular soft drinks. Carbonation The carbonation (or fizz) in ramune lasts longer than that of the average American soda. This feature is courtesy of its marble seal mechanism. Packaging Most regular sodas don’t use the Codd-neck bottle that has become synonymous with ramune. Also, ramune packaging often features designs from collaborations with manga, anime, or video game franchises. Does Ramune Contain Alcohol? If you’ve ever noticed a bottle labeled “ramune” in a bar, you were probably looking at a shochu-based ramune drink. In Japan, adults sometimes make cocktails by mixing a Japanese distilled spirit called shochu with ramune soda. Standard ramune soda is non-alcoholic. Beyond Soda: Ramune-Inspired Beverages and Desserts You can mix ramune with desserts and other drinks to create new spin-offs. Let’s explore a few of the mixtures gaining popularity in Japan. Ramune Shochu This is one of the most loved cocktails in Japan. It’s a mix of ramune and shochu distilled beverages. You should try this drink if you want to give your soda one hell of an alcoholic kick without losing the fruit flavor. Ramune Milk Tea Smooth and creamy milk tea meets the chaotic and fizzy nature of ramune. You can use Taiwanese boba tea or Hong Kong milk tea to make this drink. Ramune Candy This is a tablet candy that tastes like the Japanese soda. Made by top companies such as Lotte and Morinaga it contains sugar, a binder, and some other ingredients. Like the soda, ramune candy creates a fizzy sensation during consumption. Ramune Ice Cream Ice cream can serve as the base for a Japanese dessert that features ramune flavors. There’s a product called Ramune Ice Bar that uses a similar concept. Shochu Ramune: Japan’s Twist on Boozy Bubbles Shochu-based ramune cocktail is one of the most popular alcoholic drinks in Japan. The distilled liquor is just one of several alcoholic beverages you can mix with ramune. Others are vodka (martini) and tequila (margarita). Classic lemon-lime ramune flavor is perfect for any kind of alcoholic mixture. However, you can also use strawberry or blueberry flavor. Alcoholic beverages mixed with ramune are a common offering in modern izakaya culture. Where to Buy Ramune: Spotlight on Bokksu Market You will find ramune in Japanese grocery stores around the world. Bokksu Market is one of the most reliable ways to buy it online and save yourself some stress. We offer a wide palette of ramune sodas, including rare and unique flavors. Bokksu Market features ramune made by top companies such as Japan Sangaria and Hata. Read the reviews from happy customers to understand how much people love these quality products. Below is a list of some of the available flavors: Original flavor Grape Strawberry Orange Melon Lychee Ramune in Pop Culture and Summer Festivals In Japan, ramune is a must-have at festivals, particularly in the summer. Many Japanese people have nostalgic memories of the fun times they had drinking ramune with friends and family during summer festivals. Spring, which starts in March, is another season featuring heavy ramune consumption. The drink has made several anime and manga cameos and is widely recognized as a Japanese festival symbol by international fans. Make It a Ramune Night: Snack Pairings to Try You can create the perfect themed evening by pairing a bottle of ramune with Pocky, spicy chips, chocolate cookies, or traditional festival snacks such as mochi or daifuku. Make sure to select a flavor that blends with the taste of the snacks. Stock your home with various snacks and multiple flavors of ramune by shopping at Bokksu Market today! We have enough variety to create a Japanese drink gift box or pack for special people in your life.