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Strong Zero

Strong Zero, officially styled as −196°C Strong Zero, is a Japanese chūhai brand produced by Suntory Global Spirits.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Strong Zero, officially styled as −196°C Strong Zero, is a Japanese chūhai brand produced by Suntory Global Spirits. It is known for its relatively high alcohol content and sugar-free positioning, and it is sold in multiple countries in a range of flavours.

Overview

Strong Zero is a Japanese ready-to-drink alcoholic beverage brand in the chūhai category. It is marketed as a high-strength, sugar-free drink and is sold in several international markets.

Name and production

The brand’s full name, −196°C Strong Zero, refers to the use of liquid nitrogen in processing fruit before it is pulverized and soaked in beverage alcohol. The “strong” element highlights the drink’s relatively high alcohol content.

Availability and consumption

Strong Zero is sold in Japan and several overseas markets, and is commonly associated with convenience stores and vending machines in Japan. It is offered in a variety of flavours.

Labelling and alcohol content

According to the source material, the drink has 9% ABV in Japan and is labelled sugar-free under Japanese nutrition standards. The “sugar-free” label applies when sugar content does not exceed 0.5 g per 100 mL.

Key facts

  • Strong Zero is a brand of chūhai produced by Suntory Global Spirits.
  • The name −196°C refers to the liquid nitrogen fruit-freezing process.
  • It is marketed as high-alcohol (9% ABV) and sugar-free in Japan.
  • Available in several countries including Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, the United States, China, and the United Kingdom.
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Canadian context

Strong Zero is relevant to Canadian readers as part of the broader international market for Japanese ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages, though the provided sources do not confirm Canadian retail availability.

Frequently asked questions

What is Strong Zero?
Strong Zero is a Japanese chūhai brand produced by Suntory Global Spirits.
Why is it called “−196°C”?
The name refers to the use of liquid nitrogen, which boils at about −195.8 °C, in the fruit-freezing process.
Why is it called “Strong Zero”?
“Strong” refers to the drink’s high alcohol content, while “Zero” refers to its sugar-free positioning.
How alcoholic is Strong Zero?
The cited source states that it is 9% ABV in Japan.
Where is Strong Zero sold?
It is sold in Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, the United States, China, and the United Kingdom.
What kind of drink is it?
It is a chūhai, a Japanese alcoholic beverage typically based on shōchū or a similar spirit mixed with carbonated ingredients and flavouring.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strong_Zero
    Supports: Brand name, producer, type, alcohol content, naming explanation, fruit-freezing process, availability, and Japanese sugar-free labelling context.