[Tonight's Convenience Store Drinking] Melting with the Freshness of Two Fruits and a Hint of Wine Aroma

The 'Sendouble Highball,' launched by CU, a convenience store operated by BGF Retail, in September 2024, is a product aimed at meeting the demand for enjoying cocktails at home in line with the 'home bar' trend. The product includes slices of two different fruits as garnish, offering both visual appeal and drinking enjoyment. When the ready-to-drink (RTD) can is opened, the actual fruit pieces are revealed along with the sparkling beverage.

CU Sungdouble Highball 2 Types. Provided by BGF Retail

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The 'Sendouble Fruit Cocktail,' which contains slices of lemon and Cheonggyul (Korean green tangerine), stands out with its refreshing look, complemented by packaging in green and yellow tones. Upon opening, a strong aroma reminiscent of sweet lemon or plum juice fills the air. Taking a sip of the carbonated contents delivers an intense flavor similar to green grape ade.

The 'Sendouble Sangria,' inspired by the traditional wine cocktails of Spain and Portugal, features a red wine aroma as its defining characteristic. Lemon and orange slices are added to the red beverage. Tasting the undiluted drink brings a burst of rich grape juice flavor. While both products may taste like sweetened beverages, the alcohol content is 4.2% ABV for the Fruit Cocktail and 3% for the Sangria, so a few sips can quickly bring on a buzz. If you prefer sweet and refreshing flavors, the Fruit Cocktail is recommended; if you seek the lingering aroma and richness of wine, the Sangria is the better choice.

Jang Juhyeon, Alcohol MD (Merchandiser) at BGF Retail, said, "To fully enjoy the flavors of the two real fruit ingredients in Sendouble Highball, we strongly recommend using a wide-mouthed clear glass." He added, "The fragrant fruit aroma and vibrant visuals that greet you when you open the can will satisfy both your sense of sight and taste, making it feel like a drink freshly made at a professional bar." He especially recommended using the product as a 'dessert highball' to refresh your palate at the end of a drinking session, rather than during a meal, as the original sweet and tangy flavors of the fruit harmonize perfectly.

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The manufacturer also recommends refrigerating the product for at least six hours after purchase and opening it while cold. This is because opening the can at room temperature may cause the contents to overflow. Pairing menus that go well with Sendouble Highball include crispy snacks like Cham Crackers or rye biscuits. Jang MD explained, "This way, you can fully enjoy the unique sweet flavors of the highball without interference."

The Sendouble Highball is a follow-up to the hit product 'Sendemon Highball,' which CU launched in 2024 and sold over 10 million cans within three months. The new lineup reinterprets classic cocktail recipes and adds them to the existing range, which previously featured single-fruit products such as Sendemon, Send Cheonggyul, and Send Gamgyul. Despite using two fruit ingredients, the price remains at 4,500 won, the same as the previous single-fruit versions. With in-store discount events, consumers can purchase them even more affordably when buying three or four cans in a bundle.

Since its launch, the two types of Sendouble Highball have sold a cumulative 600,000 cans over six months, averaging 100,000 cans per month. It is recommended to check the stock at nearby stores via the CU application (app) before visiting. A BGF Retail representative stated, "Given that the well-known 'Jim Beam' highball from established brands (NB) sells about 100,000 cans per month, the response has been quite favorable."

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