This Hard Seltzer Is Bringing Japanese Convenience Store Energy To Happy Hour

If your algorithm is filled with food hauls from the konbini (or Japanese mini mart), congratulations: you and I are the same. Whether you’re lucky enough to have visited in person or haven’t progressed beyond the online lurk, you know delicious dreams come alive here: the encyclopedic ramen selection (plus the cooking and fixin’s station), the whimsical pastel tea packets and their pre-crushed ice cups, the ambrosial egg salad sandwiches. Your corner deli could never… until now.

Because that fantasy mini-mart energy has arrived stateside in the form of your new favorite hard seltzer. Meet -196 (pronounced “minus one nine six”), the Japanese-crafted vodka seltzer transforming your happy hour into a konbini utopia.

This vodka-based canned cocktail clocks in at 5.5% alcohol, around 120 calories, and 2-3 grams of sugar, but doesn’t blend in with other hard seltzers. It stands out as a representation of Japanese innovation, engineered to taste like biting into a perfectly ripe fruit. Don’t be surprised if you feel teleported to a Shibuya corner store, even if you’re just hoofing it to your same old bodega.

Want to bring this energy to your next happy hour? Here’s what to know…

1. The Freeze-Crush-Infuse Process Is Next Level

The namesake isn’t just catchy — it’s literal. The “-196” comes from the brand’s Freeze-Crush-Infuse (FCI) process, a cutting-edge technique that begins by flash-freezing whole fruit in liquid nitrogen at a staggering -196°C (-320°F). From there, they crush the fruit into a fine powder, locking in its natural oils, aromas, and full-bodied flavor that most canned cocktails lose. Finally, the powdered essence steeps in premium vodka, infusing it with the fruit’s genuine flavor. Add bubbles, and you’ve got a light, effervescent refresher that’s as delicious on its own as it is remixable into your next DIY cocktail.

2. The Flavors Give Konbini Dreams

Half the joy of a konbini run is grabbing a drink you’ve never tried before, and -196 Seltzer captures that whimsy in a can. Grapefruit is punchy and bittersweet, with a palate-cleansing dry finish. Lemon brings sharp, zesty brightness, like the liquid equivalent of sunbathing. Peach leans juicy and tangy, hitting that sweet spot between treat and refreshment. And Strawberry? Think the hard candies of your youth, all grown up — juicy, nostalgic, and perfectly balanced between sweet and tart. Translation: authentic fruit flavor without the sugar crash, and just the right kick to keep the night moving.

3. It Fits Anywhere In Your Party Rotation

Here’s the flex: -196 Seltzer doesn’t just taste good — it’s like that all-purpose plus one friend who fits in with any crowd. Pre-game with peach while debating outfits with your crew. Sip strawberry at your Saturday BBQ as the playlist switches from indie sleaze to Afrobeats. Post-game your brunch cocktails with grapefruit on your sunny patio as golden hour looms. Or snag a Combo Variety Pack with Strawberry & Watermelon, Lemon & Lime, Strawberry & Pineapple and Lemon & Raspberry. At about $10.99 for a 4-pack, and $19.99 for an 8-Pack, it’s a price point that plays nice with your 2025 budget while still feeling like a sophisticated treat. Like the best part of konbini culture, it turns the everyday into an experience — elevating a simple hang into a “where did you find this?” moment. Now that deserves a resounding “Kanpai!”

Pick up a pack of -196 Seltzer today!