Awarise Sudachi

Posted on April 5, 2018 | Last updated February 14, 2025

This is a review of the second installment in the Awarise series, "Awarise Sudachi," an energy drink specifically designed for the Awa Odori in Tokushima Prefecture.

The Awarise series was originally a local energy drink from Tokushima, but by 2018, it gradually expanded its distribution nationwide, making it easier for people in other prefectures to get their hands on it! I’ll be providing a detailed review of this exquisite citrus-flavored drink.

Awarise Sudachi

Manufacturer	San Mac
Country of Origin	Japan
Price	150 JPY
Flavor
Total rating	★★★★☆

Author information Author: Energy Drink-kun

In 2001, while living in the United States, I encountered energy drinks through the dance scene and was deeply impressed. After returning to Japan, I found that energy drinks were considered novelty beverages, so I established a comprehensive website in 2013 to share the true appeal of energy drinks. As an energy drink enthusiast, I began drinking them seriously again, collecting over 7,000 varieties of energy drinks from various countries. I am also active as a critic and expert, receiving media interviews.

Flavor of Awarise Sudachi

When pouring Awarise Sudachi into a glass, unlike the original Awarise yuzu flavor, it has a cloudy white citrus color commonly seen in citrus-based drinks.

The sweet and sour citrus scent rises gently with the effervescence. Even before taking a sip, the Sudachi flavor is already strongly apparent in the aroma.

Oh, and as a tip for enjoying Awarise Sudachi at its best, I recommend chilling it well in the fridge rather than adding ice. This is the best way to enjoy it. While reviews of energy drinks at room temperature are becoming more popular at Energy Drink Mania, to fully enjoy the Sudachi flavor, definitely chill it in the fridge! For citrus flavors, I would generally recommend avoiding room temperature.

Now, taking a sip, the tangy Sudachi flavor fills your mouth and passes through to your nose. There is a subtle sweetness as well, which seems to mellow the intense sourness. Overall, the taste is quite strong, offering a satisfying drink, yet the aftertaste is refreshing, making you want to take another sip. There are hardly any remnants after drinking, leaving only a lingering, refreshing sourness.

However, when it reaches room temperature, the flavor balance completely changes. The sweetness comes to the forefront, and the sourness weakens drastically, losing the true Sudachi flavor. It starts to resemble a honey lemon taste, which is far from the intended flavor. So, drinking it at room temperature feels like a bit of a waste. Additionally, if you add ice, the flavor becomes diluted, so that's also a bit of a waste.

Energy Ingredients of Awarise Sudachi

Awarise Sudachi contains 80mg of caffeine, 300mg of arginine, and 12.5mg of valine, leucine, and isoleucine each, adding BCAAs to the original Awarise formula.

In a previous review of Awarise, I suggested adding BCAAs, and I’m happy to report that this recommendation was taken into account during the development of Awarise Sudachi! It's great to see that a review from a dedicated fan like myself could contribute to the product’s improvement (●´ω｀●).

The 1% fruit juice used in Awarise Sudachi is made from Sudachi grown in Tokushima Prefecture. While the original Awarise did include “Tokushima Prefecture” on the label, it would have been nice if the same could have been stated for the Sudachi flavor to further emphasize the Tokushima pride. I really appreciate the manufacturer’s dedication to Tokushima (ｕ_ｕ*).

Comparison Between Awarise and Awarise Sudachi

Awarise Sudachi
When lined up like this, it’s a great reminder of how yellow Awarise really is.

Now let’s compare them by drinking. First, Awarise offers a perfect balance of yuzu’s bitterness, with its sourness and slight sweetness complementing each other. Despite having only 1% fruit juice, the flavor is remarkably rich. Both the taste and the aroma are complex, and you can truly savor the lingering aftertaste, showcasing its high quality.

On the other hand, Awarise Sudachi lacks bitterness or astringency, with its refreshing sourness standing out. Although it’s also a citrus flavor, the direction it takes is quite different. Awarise Sudachi may feel simpler compared to yuzu.

Both drinks have a strong citrus flavor, made to be quite intense. My personal guess is that during development, there may have been discussions about making the Sudachi flavor more refreshing and lighter. In my opinion, though, having a solid, rich flavor makes the experience more impactful.

Both are perfect for hot summer days and long lingering late-summer heat. With an affordable price of 150 yen, the second installment of Awarise continues to impress with a flavor you can confidently recommend. I’m excited to see how the Awarise series will expand in the future (*´ｪ`*).