Having just indulged in a shaved watermelon ice with rum syrup at Toraya Cafe in Omotesando, watermelon was on my mind. We ran across this sparkling Pepsi Salty Watermelon at our local supermarket. The packaging is great with blue skies, sandy beach, and watermelon which looks like many a blow-up ball you’ll see at Japan’s crowded beaches.

Pepsi Salty Watermelon appeals to the Japanese consumers on several points. It’s a seasonal product only offered for a limited time. Watermelon is in season and is often eaten at family gatherings and festivals so it brings with it positive connotations. Finally, the “shio sweets” or salted sweets trend has been here for five years already; from macaroons, caramels, puddings, chocolate, ice cream, and more.

So, how was it? “Where’s the salt?” was the first thing I said to Shinji when I tasted it. To me that was the whole reason for picking up the bottle, was to enjoy the sweet and salty combination. It should be sold as a watermelon soda. Would I buy another bottle? No. Would I try another seasonal limited edition drink from Pepsi? You bet. Shiso Pepsi was exactly that – and I, like many Japanese, am a sucker for anything available for a limited time only.