Chūhai

File:Varieties of Kirin brand Chu-hi.PNG

Varieties of Kirin brand "Chu-hi" in a convenience store in Kyoto, Japan.

A can of lemon flavored "Chu-hi" with complementary peanuts attached to the top.

Chūhai (チューハイ or 酎ハイ), often sold as Chu-Hi as a canned drink, is an alcoholic drink originating from Japan. The name is derived from "shōchū highball". Traditional chūhai is made with shōchū and carbonated water flavored with lemon, though some modern commercial variants use vodka in place of shōchū. The flavors available have recently multiplied, including lime, grapefruit, apple, orange, pineapple, grape, kiwi, ume, yuzu, lychee, and peach.

For the chūhai sold in bars and restaurants, the alcohol content can be quite low, allowing those with a low tolerance for alcohol to imbibe safely. Canned chūhai, however, can have alcohol levels as high as 9% (18 proof) and is often sold in convenience stores and vending machines. Chūhai is served in tall glasses or mugs as drinks for individuals, making it less social than other traditional Japanese bar drinks like sake, beer, or whisky, which can be shared by pouring portions from a large bottle. Due to the high sugar content, the number of calories in each bottle can be quite high compared to other alcoholic beverages.