Zima
Zima was a clear, lightly carbonated alcoholic beverage made by Coors Brewing Company and later sold by its licensees.
Zima was a clear, lightly carbonated alcoholic malt beverage introduced by Coors Brewing Company in 1993. It was marketed as an alternative to beer and became part of the 1990s “clear craze” trend. The drink was discontinued in the United States in 2008, though limited revivals occurred in 2017 and 2018, and it continued to be sold in Japan until 2023.
History
Zima was introduced in 1993 by Coors Brewing Company as a clear malt beverage positioned as an alternative to beer. It gained attention during the 1990s clear-product trend and later declined in the U.S. market.
Product characteristics
The beverage was lightly carbonated, clear or nearly clear, and citrus-flavoured in many descriptions. It typically had an alcohol content in the range of 4.7% to 5.4% ABV.
Marketing and cultural impact
Zima was promoted as a youthful, modern drink and became closely linked with 1990s pop culture. It later became a nostalgic reference for that era and for short-lived beverage trends.
Market history and discontinuation
Zima was discontinued in the United States in 2008 after a long decline in sales, with brief limited returns in 2017 and 2018. In Japan, it remained available longer and was later affected by pandemic-related market disruption.
Key facts
- Zima was marketed as an alternative to beer and as a “malternative” beverage.
- It was clear and lightly carbonated, aligned with the 1990s clear beverage trend.
- The drink’s name comes from the word for “winter” in many Slavic languages.
- Zima was introduced by Coors in 1993.
- U.S. production ended in 2008, though limited releases appeared in 2017 and 2018.
Zima is relevant to Canadian readers as a well-known 1990s beverage brand that appeared in North American alcohol culture and later became a nostalgia product. Its history also helps contextualize the development of flavored malt beverages and later hard-seltzer trends in Canada and the U.S.
Frequently asked questions
What was Zima?
When was Zima introduced?
What did Zima taste like?
When was Zima discontinued in the United States?
Did Zima ever return after being discontinued?
What does the name Zima mean?
References
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zima_(drink)Supports: Introduction date, product type, ABV range, U.S. discontinuation, Japan sales timeline, and meaning of the name.
- Food Republic — https://www.foodrepublic.com/1665949/history-of-hard-seltzers/Supports: Coors launch in 1993, clear bubbly malt beverage description, and its position as an early precursor to hard seltzers.
- The Sacramento Bee — https://www.sacbee.com/food-drink/article156804064.htmlSupports: Limited U.S. return in 2017, 5% ABV, and 1990s clear-craze context.
- TODAY — https://www.today.com/food/zima-90s-clear-beverage-back-stores-t113013Supports: 1993 debut, 2008 U.S. discontinuation, and sales figures/market reception claims.