[Review] Instantly Hooked by the Refreshing Sweetness... Joya 'Ice Cream Liquor'

Tasting the 'CHOYA Maesilju & Maesil Sherbet' at GS25
Mixing savory apple sherbet with Maesilju creates a refreshing sweetness
Perfect as a dessert after spicy food... 15.5% alcohol Maesilju

On July 10, GS25, a convenience store chain operated by GS Retail, launched two new products in collaboration with the famous Japanese plum wine brand CHOYA: a mix-to-drink concept 'Maesilju (Joya Golden Ume Fruits 50ml)' and 'Maesil Sherbet (Joya Ice Maesil & Apple Sherbet)'. This product was introduced to the domestic market after gaining popularity in Taiwan last year, where people enjoyed combining Joya plum wine with ice cups.

From the left, Maesil Sherbet (Joya Ice Maesil & Apple Sherbet) and Maesilju (Joya Golden Ume Fruits). Photo by Jae Hyun Park

CHOYA is a leading brand representing 'Japanese plum wine'. With a history of over 100 years, it is recognized as an original brand in the plum wine sector. For plum wine enthusiasts worldwide, it is considered a classic. Joya Golden Ume Fruits is a premium plum wine made only with plums, sugars, and distilled spirits, without any additives.

Currently, the two types of Joya plum wine and sherbet are enjoying tremendous popularity, ranking first and second for 'Joya' and 'plum' as search keywords in the inventory management tab of the Woori Dongnae GS application. Since the keyword 'Joya' appeared in the search rankings on July 9, just before the launch, its rank has steadily increased. On social networking services (SNS), reviews are pouring in, such as "I used to drink this a lot when I traveled to Japan, and now that it's available in Korea, I'm going to buy it right away," and "I want to try it, but there is no stock at nearby convenience stores."

Perhaps because of this, it was not easy to purchase the product. After checking eight nearby GS25 stores, only one had stock remaining. I managed to secure the product by checking real-time inventory on the Woori Dongnae GS app and making a pickup reservation. The Maesil Sherbet was sold for 3,300 won, and the Maesilju was priced at 3,400 won.

The appearance when opening Maesil Sherbet (Joya Ice Maesil & Apple Sherbet). Photo by JaeHyun Park

The first impression was that the products looked small and cute. The Maesil Sherbet comes in a short and chubby 220ml beverage can. The front label features Korean, English, and Japanese, clearly indicating that it is a sherbet from Japan. The Maesilju, contained in a transparent glass bottle, is 50ml and contains a golden liquid with a whole plum inside, making it perfect for Instagram photos.

Tasting the 'sherbet' on its own, a gentle sweet apple aroma was noticeable. There was no artificial additive taste, leaving a savory note in the mouth, and the subtle, clean aftertaste made it quite addictive. However, contrary to its name 'Maesil & Apple Sherbet', the plum flavor was barely noticeable, making it almost indistinguishable from an apple sherbet.

A mix of Joya Ice Maesil & Apple Sherbet with 'Golden Ume Fruits'. Photo by JaeHyun Park

I then tried mixing it with the 'Maesilju'. Following the recommended way to drink, I poured the plum wine into the sherbet can and waited for the alcohol to soak into the sherbet. Once mixed, the sherbet, which was mainly apple-flavored, was upgraded with a plum aroma. The combination of the sherbet's mild, savory taste and the alcoholic plum was refreshing and sweet.

This product is great as a light dessert to pair with spicy food. However, due to its high alcohol content, it is easy to get tipsy. On a hot day, with the small 220ml sherbet can, I finished the entire can in one sitting. The accompanying 50ml Maesilju (Golden Ume Fruits) has an alcohol content of 15.5%. If you let your guard down because of the sweet taste, those sensitive to alcohol may find themselves easily intoxicated.