Calpis is a popular Japanese drink known for its unique flavor and refreshing taste. You’ll find it all over Japan in vending machines, supermarkets, and convenience stores but with this DIY recipe you can create it at home too! Just a few simple ingredients and some easy steps are all that’s needed to make a cool and refreshing glass of Calpis to quench your thirst!
What is Calpis?
Calpis (pronounced like ca-loo-pis), also know as Calpico, is a popular and delicious drink from Japan. It is a non-carbonated beverage made from fermented milk and lactic acid bacteria so it has a slightly yoghurty acidic flavor similar to Yakult. The tangy and sweet taste of Calpis and its light consistency makes it perfect as a refreshing drink on its own or to mix with alcohol in specialty cocktails and other beverages. It also can be found in many other flavour varieties like grape, strawberry, and melon.
The name “Calpis” is derived from the words ‘cal’ in calcium and the ‘pis’ from the Sanskrit word “SARPIS” which means best taste, reflecting its original purpose as a health drink. The creator of Calpis, Kaiun Mishima, is said to have been inspired by a traditional cultured milk drink he encountered while travelling in Mongolia which he found improved his digestion. He aimed to create Calpis as a healthy drink made from lactic acid bacteria to replicate the traditional Mongolian drink. The original fermentation process used to make Calpis begins with the addition of lactic acid bacteria to milk, which breaks down the lactose and produces lactic acid. This gives the drink its signature texture and tangy taste. The fermented milk is then mixed with water, sugar, and other flavorings to create the final product.
It was first released on the day of the Japanese festival of Tanabata on July 7, 1919 in Japan and has since become a beloved beverage enjoyed by people of all ages. The original packaging of Calpis even had a blue background with white dots (the opposite of what it is now) to represent the Milky Way in reference to the Tanabata festival.
The homemade version of Calpis in this recipe is made from a blend of yogurt, lemon juice, sugar, and milk to recreate the iconic drink. It’s free of artificial flavors and caffeine making it a fantastic alternative to soft drinks and just as delicious as original Calpis!
Ingredients Required to Make Homemade Caplis
To make your own Calpis at home, you’ll need a few simple ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need :
Natural Greek Yoghurt
Use high-quality, natural Greek yogurt to add a tangy and creamy flavor. Greek yogurt is rich in protein, calcium, and probiotics, making it a nutritious addition to the drink.
Milk
Fresh milk adds richness and smoothness to the homemade Calpis, giving it a velvety texture.
Sugar
sugar needs to be added to homemade Calpis to achieve its sweetness. The amount of sugar used can be adjusted based on personal preference.
Lemon Juice
lemon juice adds a hint of citrusy brightness to the drink. This helps balance out the richness of the yogurt and milk while adding a subtle zing to each sip.
Step by Step Instructions
Now that you have all the ingredients ready, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of making your own Calpis.
- In a saucepan, heat the milk, the yoghurt, and the sugar and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Place it over low heat until it is warm (until small bubbles form) but not boiling. Stir occasionally to prevent the milk from scorching.
- Add the lemon juice, and stir well to mix the ingredients.
- Allow the mixture to cool then place a strainer over a sterilised glass bottle and pour the Calpis mixture through the strainer to remove any lumps or solids.
- To make Japanese Calpis drink, pour 1/4 cup of yoghurt calpis mixture into a glass. Add 3/4 cup of water and mix well. Let it chill in the fridge or serve it over ice.
Tips to Make Delicious Calpis
If you want to make your own delicious Calpis at home, here are some tips to help you get started :
- Adjust the sweetness: Calpis should have the right balance of sweetness and tanginess. Taste the mixture as you go along and adjust the amount of sugar or yogurt accordingly to achieve your desired taste.
- Add fruit flavors: To give your Calpis an extra burst of flavor, consider adding in some fruit flavors like grape, strawberry, peach, lychee, and mango. Simply blend in some fresh fruit or add in flavored syrup to enhance the taste.
- Experiment with different ratios: Feel free to experiment with different ratios of milk, sugar, yogurt, and water until you find the perfect combination that suits your taste buds.
Variations on the Traditional Recipe of Calpis
While the classic recipe is delicious on its own, you can also get creative and personalise your homemade version by adding different flavors and ingredients. Here are some ideas to inspire you:
Fruit Infusions
Add slices of fresh fruit, such as strawberries, peaches, or citrus fruits, to infuse your Calpis with a natural fruity flavor.
Herbal Infusions
Experiment with adding herbs like mint, basil, or lavender to give your Calpis a unique twist.
Sparkling Calpis
For a fizzy version of Calpis, mix it with sparkling/carbonated water or soda.
Tea Calpis
Brew your favorite tea and mix it with Calpis for a refreshing and flavorful combination.
Calpis Japanese drinks now a days have more different flavours and are also diluted with not just water but soda, or even used for some alcoholic drinks as well. I have tried to have this homemade version taste as close as possible to the original flavour but you can adjust it to your liking by adding more sugar or lemon juice. Also if you are trying to cut down on sugar, you can replace sugar with honey or monk fruit tree sugar.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings with Other Dishes
Here are some serving suggestions and pairing ideas :
- On the rocks : Enjoy Calpis over ice for a simple and refreshing drink that can be enjoyed any time of day.
- Soda : Mix Calpis with soda water for a fizzy and light beverage that is perfect for hot summer days.
- Cocktail : Get creative and mix Calpis with your favorite spirits like vodka or rum to create unique cocktails that will impress your guests at parties.
- Smoothie : Blend Calpis with fresh fruits like strawberries, bananas, or mangoes for a creamy and nutritious smoothie that makes the perfect breakfast or snack.
- Pairing with spicy dishes : The mild sweetness of Calips helps to balance out the heat in spicy dishes like curry or chili.
- Pairing with dessert : Serve chilled glasses of Calpis alongside rich desserts like chocolate cake or cheesecake to cleanse your palate between bites.
How to Store Calpis
Once you’ve made your homemade Calpis, it’s important to store it properly to maintain its freshness and flavor. To store it, follow these steps:
- Transfer the Calpis into a clean, airtight bottle or pitcher.
- Seal the container tightly to prevent air from entering.
- Place the container in the refrigerator and store it at a temperature below 40°F (4°C).
- Calpis can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
FAQ
A : They are actually the same thing. “Calpico” is Calpis sold in English-speaking countries. For Japanese people, “Calpis” is a familiar name, but the pronunciation of “CALPIS” in English is very similar to “cow piss” so it had to be marketed differently.
More Summer Drink Recipes
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Homemade Calpis Japanese Drink 自家製カルピス
Ingredients
- 240 g Natural greek style yoghurt or 1 cup
- 80 ml Milk or ⅓ cup
- 180 g Sugar or ½ cup
- 3 tbs Lemon juice
Instructions
- In a saucepan, heat the milk, the yoghurt, and the sugar and stir until the sugar has dissolved.
- Place it over low heat until it is warm (just small bubbles form) but not boiling. Stir occasionally to prevent the milk from scorching.
- Add the lemon juice, and stir well to mix the ingredients. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool a bit.
- Place a strainer over a sterilised glass bottle and pour the Calpis mixture through the strainer to remove any lumps or solids.
- To make Calpis drink, pour 1/4 cup of the calpis yoghurt mixture into a glass. Add 3/4 cup of mineral water and mix well. Serve it chilled over ice!
tried it and it was tasty! i scaled it down to only one serving and it still worked out okay. i think maybe my strainer is not fine enough or maybe it’s my yogurt being strange, so i had a little bit of separation but otherwise it was good.
Thank you Seora for making Calpis and I am glad that you liked it ๐
How much of the mineral water would i need to use?
Hi Ratio of homemade calpis and water is 1:4 so if you use 1/4 cup homemade calpis, add 3/4 cup of water ๐
if it is 1/4 calpis to 3/4 sparkling water, then that should read 1:3 =) 1 part= 1/4 cup and 3 parts= 3/4 cup.
(the stated 1:4 would be a total of 5 parts)
Thank you for your correction of my mistake Ichiro san.