As early summer arrives, we’re reminded of the tropical atmosphere of Okinawa. This time, we’re introducing a refreshing drink from Ryusen Distillery, made with iconic Okinawan hibiscus flowers and shikuwasa citrus. These two KAFU liqueurs offer a burst of coolness, perfect for the summer heat!

“KAFU” (カフー) means “good fortune” in the Okinawan dialect, and just holding these vibrantly packaged bottles will instantly make you feel happy.

Hibiscus (scientific name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) is a symbol of Okinawa, blooming year-round on the islands. The distillery infuses hibiscus petals into awamori (Okinawan distilled spirit) to extract their vivid red color and floral aroma, then blends in shikuwasa juice and brown sugar for flavor. When you open the bottle, you’re greeted by a burst of floral fragrance, slightly reminiscent of Chinese sour plum soup. Enjoyed chilled, the drink delivers a refined floral note and refreshing acidity, almost as if flower petals have been mixed into lemon juice. Overall, it’s extremely thirst-quenching and perfect for summer—super easy to drink!