The Bireley's line of beverages from Okinawa aren't just a thirst quencher. It touches on the greater history of Japan post World War II and specifically the culture mish-mash that played out on the island chain to its southwest. The drink brand originally came from the United States, being brought over when American took over administrative control of the region in 1950. Its fruity flavors — eventually incorporating local tastes — became tied to the islands.

Well after the US handed control to Japan, Bireley's has become a culinary representation of Okinawa's post-war culture similar to taco rice, A&W and Spam. You can find it sometimes on Honshu, but it's everywhere across Okinawa, and one of those drinks that feel like a must-experience when you visit...and a way of remembering the place.

The brand's status, though, means it can release more widely available drinks when needed. This summer, Bireley's introduced a limited-time "Otona no Sawayaka Lemonade" ("Refreshing Adult Lemonade," the "adult" here implying this isn't your toddler-ready stuff from a stand). Available nationwide...except, somewhat ironically, in Okinawa according to the official site...it still leans into the beach imagery of the place it is from on the bottle complete with imagining a little umbrella in a glass of the stuff.

What makes this one "adult" is a more tart lemon flavor mixed with a touch of mint, making this refreshing but also a little more sharp in taste. It's a little more bitter than you might expect from lemonade, but the touch of mint helps balance it out and make it refreshing. While not quite in line with the more tropical Bireley's offerings truly capturing the taste of Okinawa, this one does nail the spirit of the islands.