Milkis looks like any other clear fizzy soda in the bottle, but the first sip is unmistakably milky — Korea's answer to what happens if a soda and a milkshake had a lighter, fizzier baby.
What it actually tastes like
Milkis is carbonated, but the dominant note is a soft, creamy sweetness rather than the sharp tang you'd get from a yoghurt drink or the syrupy sweetness of a cola. It sits closer to a fizzy, diluted milkshake than to a conventional soft drink, which is exactly why it confuses people on the first try and gets a lot of them hooked by the second.
Where it comes from
- Maker — Lotte Chilsung Beverage, part of the wider Lotte group.
- Launched — 1989, making it one of the longer-standing soft drinks in the Korean market.
- Core flavours — original, strawberry, melon and mango are the four most widely exported.
Why it's turning up in the UK now
Milkis has ridden the same wave as K-pop, K-dramas and Korean snacks more broadly: as those got more mainstream attention in the UK, importers and Asian supermarkets expanded their Korean drinks ranges to match demand. The novelty of a milk-flavoured soda also travels well online, which hasn't hurt.
Frequently asked questions
What does Milkis taste like?
Milkis is a carbonated soft drink with a milky, slightly creamy sweetness rather than the tang of a yoghurt drink — closer to a fizzy, watered-down milkshake than to a typical fizzy pop. It's lighter and less sweet than most Western sodas.
Who makes Milkis and when was it launched?
Milkis is made by the Korean drinks company Lotte Chilsung Beverage and was first launched in 1989, making it one of Lotte's longest-running soft drink brands.
Why has Milkis become popular in the UK?
It's ridden the same wave as K-pop, K-dramas and Korean snacks generally — UK convenience stores and Asian supermarkets have expanded their Korean drinks ranges over the past few years, and Milkis's unusual milk-soda combination stands out on social media.