Beyond Sugar-Free

Miko Miko! I made a HUGE discovery! (≧∇≦)

…What’s gotten into you, nya

Y’know those canned cocktails, right?

Those sweet ones lined up at convenience stores, nya?

Yeah yeah! But see, I never really drank canned cocktails before. They’re always so sweet!

Netsuki doesn’t like sweet things, nya

Exactly! But the other day, I randomly found this thing called “GINON” at the konbini

Ginon…? Never heard of it, nya

It’s a gin-based canned cocktail from Asahi! They got lemon and grapefruit flavors, and both are sugar-free!

…Gin, as in the Western liquor, nya?

Yep! There’s this spice called juniper berry that gives gin its signature aroma

…Juniper berry? It’s a berry but also a spice, nya?

Oh, here’s the thing - juniper “berry” isn’t actually a berry!

…Nya?

It’s actually a cone from cypress trees. Like a pinecone relative!

…Pinecone relatives making alcohol smell good…

That’s why it has this unique, kinda forest-y, super refreshing scent~

So I tried it and… “Wait, THIS is amazing!” That was my reaction! (ﾟ∀ﾟ)

…Is it really that different, nya?

Totally different! Not sweet but not lacking either. The gin aroma and lemon crispness are incredible - like a gin tonic from a fancy bar!

…Fancy bar taste from a can is a stretch, nya

Hmm, yeah maybe. But still, it’s nothing like what you’d expect from the words “canned cocktail”

…

Like, if regular canned cocktails are “sugary juice,” then GINON is “proper alcohol”

…I see, nya. Not hiding behind sweetness

Right right! Miko gets it!

…But it’s strange, nya. Tastes good without being sweet

I thought the same thing! So I looked it up

…You researched it, nya

It’s called “phantom sweetness” - when your brain detects fruit aromas, it recalls past experiences and imagines sweetness

…The brain tricks itself into thinking it’s sweet, nya?

Exactly! Even without actual sugar, just the aroma can make you perceive sweetness

…Could be useful in cooking too, nya

Oh?

Could reduce sugar but compensate with aroma, nya. Citrus peel, vanilla scent…

Miko, that’s such clever thinking! (≧∇≦)

…It’s nothing special, nya

But y’know, thinking about GINON made me realize something

…What, nya

GINON’s charm is about what it doesn’t have - no sugar, no sweetness

…

Usually when something tastes good, we think in terms of addition, right? “It has this” or “It has that”

…True. Fancy ingredients, rare spices

But GINON is different. It’s good BECAUSE they removed the extras

…That’s not quite right, nya

Huh?

It’s not just subtraction, nya. By removing things, the gin aroma and citrus crispness stand out more. Subtraction increases the value of what remains, nya

…!

Same with cooking, nya. When making dashi, removing impurities lets the umami shine. Subtraction is choosing what to keep, nya

Miko… that’s super deep… (〃´∪｀〃)

…Just common sense, nya

So anyway, GINON has become my end-of-day ritual lately~♪

…Every day, nya?

Not every day! Maybe like 3-4 times a week?

…That’s quite often, nya

Urk… I-is it…

…Well, better than drinking strong stuff daily, nya

Yeah yeah! It’s only 7% alcohol, way gentler than those 9% strong ones!

…7% still isn’t exactly low, nya

Well, true. But y’know, strong drinks feel like they’re just for getting drunk…

…

GINON is different. It’s for savoring. Like a switch from work mode to me-time

…I see, nya. Different purpose

Exactly! Goes great with meals too, and since it’s not sweet, no sticky aftertaste!

Talking about all this today made me realize something

…What, nya

My whole image of “canned cocktails” just changed

…

I always thought “too sweet, not for me.” But turns out there ARE non-sweet ones. I was just being picky without trying

…Preconceptions block new discoveries, nya

Yeah. There’s still so much undiscovered “delicious” out there

…Good realization, nya

Ehehe~ (〃´∪｀〃)

…By the way

Hm?

…Can I have a sip too, nya?

Wait, Miko wants to try it?! Sure sure! Go ahead~♪

…Just tasting, nya. Only tasting

Yeah yeah~ (≧∇≦)