Reading Time: 4 mins
The City Pop aesthetic is a total sensory experience. It’s the feeling of a sea breeze, the warmth of the sun, and the taste of something ice-cold and colorful.
If you’re listening to Tatsuro Yamashita or Anri without a drink in hand, you’re missing a piece of the puzzle.
We’ve curated 3 recipes that visually and tastefully capture the essence of the Japanese 80s. Whether you're hosting a listening party or just relaxing on your balcony, these drinks will transport you straight to a poolside resort in 1984.
1. The "Pacific Blue" (Blue Hawaii)
The Vibe: Hiroshi Nagai Album Covers.
Nothing screams "City Pop" louder than the color blue. This cocktail mimics the hyper-saturated skies and swimming pools found in our favorite art prints. It’s sweet, tropical, and unapologetically retro.
Ingredients:
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30ml White Rum
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30ml Blue Curaçao (essential for the color!)
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60ml Pineapple Juice
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30ml Coconut Cream
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Ice
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Garnish: A slice of pineapple and a maraschino cherry.
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until chilled. Strain into a glass filled with crushed ice. The result should look like a slice of the Pacific Ocean in a glass.
2. The "Showa Nostalgia" (Melon Cream Soda)
The Vibe: Retro Japanese Cafés (Kissaten) & Anime Afternoons.
If you’ve watched anime from the 80s (like Kimagure Orange Road), you’ve seen this drink. The neon green color against the white ice cream is iconic. We suggest a "grown-up" version with a kick, but it works perfectly as a mocktail too.
Ingredients:
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45ml Midori (or Melon Liqueur) – omit for non-alcoholic version
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Soda Water (or Sprite for extra sweetness)
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1 scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream
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Garnish: A bright red cherry.
Instructions: Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour the Midori (or melon syrup) and top with soda water. Stir gently. Carefully float the scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Watch the beautiful creamy foam form—it's pure 80s pop art.
3. The "Midnight Drive" (Classic Highball)
The Vibe: Tokyo Skyscrapers & Sophistication.
City Pop has two moods: the sunny beach day and the glittering city night. For the evening crowd, nothing beats the crisp, clean elegance of a Japanese Highball. It’s the drink of choice for the salaryman dreaming of escape.
Ingredients:
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45ml Japanese Whisky (Suntory Toki is a great choice)
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120ml Premium Soda Water (highly carbonated)
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Ice (clear, large cubes if possible)
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Garnish: A twist of lemon peel.
Instructions: Fill a tall glass to the brim with ice. Pour the whisky. Stir to chill the glass. Slowly pour the soda water down the side of the glass to keep the bubbles intact. Give it one single, gentle stir. Express the lemon oil over the top. Simple, refreshing, and timeless.
Sip the Aesthetic
Now that you have the playlist and the drinks, all you need is the view.
At Suncara, we can't build you a swimming pool, but we can bring the view to you. Our glassware and art prints are designed to be the perfect backdrop for your "Poolside" aperitif.
Cheers to the endless summer.
Explore our Drinkware
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