You Can Make Your Own Zima, So We Did

Anyone aware in the 1990s was mindful of Zima. It was a clear, malt-based liquor that came onto the scene in 1994 and quickly became a household name, taking the world of drinking by storm with sales of 1.3 million barrels and thanks for its ubiquitous, jolly obscure advertisement (tagline: “Something different”) became everyone’s favorite alcoholic joke. It had an ABV of 4.7 percent, comparable to lighter beers; Zima was marketed to beer drinkers. However, it was similar to a wine and a wine spritzer. It was unsure what it was, so it attempted to be many things. Its identity crisis eventually resulted in its demise.

The first year it was released was the peak of the popularity of Zima. The sales in 1996 dropped by two-thirds and almost disappeared from stores selling liquor by the moment we reached the legally admitted drinking threshold. However, that didn’t stop the firm from trying to keep the Zima flowing until 2008, when production ceased.

Is Zima’s drink still made?

Nowadays, it’s impossible to find Zima anyplace across America. U.S., though it is available in Japan. But, thanks to an article on Zima’s Facebook page, Zima lovers can create something similar to the taste at home. We were unable to resist. Here, DIY Zima.

A note from an article in the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

If there was a single factor that could push it to home-run territory, it’s that fizz. It could do with a bit of club soda. Apart from this, DIY Zima is a worthwhile venture much less time-consuming than making it at home.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 ounce vodka
• 1 1/2 ounce Calpico (a Japanese soft drink)
• 1/4 ounce lime juice
• 1/2 ounce lemon juice
• 1 ounce water
• 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 ounce club soda