Quick facts
| Founded | 1989 in South Korea |
|---|---|
| Country | South Korea |
| Made by | Lotte Chilsung Beverage |
| Dietary status | Contains milk (not vegan or dairy-free); vegetarian-suitable; check pack per flavour |
About Milkis
Milkis was launched in 1989 by Lotte Chilsung Beverage, the beverage division of South Korea's Lotte Group. The drink combines carbonated water with milk and yoghurt for a unique creamy-fizzy texture that doesn't really have a direct Western equivalent. Fruit-flavoured variants were added over time, with Strawberry, Banana and Melon becoming the bestsellers internationally. The brand has grown significantly in K-pop and K-drama-driven Western markets in the 2010s and 2020s as Korean food culture has expanded globally.
The Milkis range we stock
Seven Milkis flavours in the standard 250ml Korean can format.
| Flavour | Profile |
|---|---|
| Milkis Original 250ml | The classic milk-and-yoghurt cream soda. Sweet and creamy with light carbonation |
| Milkis Strawberry 250ml | Strawberry-flavoured variant. Pink and sweet, popular with K-pop fans |
| Milkis Banana 250ml | Banana milk-style flavour reminiscent of Korean banana milk drinks |
| Milkis Apple 250ml | Sweet apple flavour with the cream-soda base |
| Milkis Peach 250ml | Sweet peach variant, popular for summer drinking |
| Milkis Melon 250ml | Honeydew melon flavour, a Korean-Japanese soda staple |
| Milkis Mango 250ml | Tropical mango variant, more recent addition to the range |
Ingredients and allergens
Standard Milkis Original contains water, sugar, skimmed milk powder, citric acid, natural and artificial flavourings, lactic acid, sodium citrate, carbon dioxide and stabilisers. The fruit-flavoured variants add fruit juice concentrates and additional flavourings. Contains milk as a core allergen, so the range is not vegan, not dairy-free and not lactose-free. Not formally halal certified across the range. Caffeine-free. The combination of milk and carbonation can be off-putting on first taste for some shoppers but builds appeal quickly. Always check the back of each individual can for the most accurate allergen and dietary information.
Who Milkis is for
Korean food culture enthusiasts: Milkis is one of the most-recognised Korean drink imports, regularly featured in K-pop content, mukbang videos and K-drama scenes. The brand has built genuine cultural cache with younger Western audiences.
Cream soda fans: the creamy-fizzy combination is unusual in Western soda categories. Shoppers familiar with Italian creme soda or American cream soda find Milkis interesting, particularly the flavoured variants.
Pick-and-mix Asian drinks builders: the 250ml Korean can format works well in variety packs. Pair with our Mogu Mogu Thai fruit drinks and Thai Red Bull imports for varied Asian-drinks selections.
Caffeine-free sweet drink shoppers: Milkis is entirely caffeine-free, useful for shoppers building a non-caffeinated drink selection or for younger drinkers.
Buy Milkis online in the UK
Build your basket from across the Milkis range and our wider imported drinks selection to qualify for free UK delivery over £20. Milkis pairs especially well with our Samyang Buldak Korean noodles and other Asian import drinks. Order before our daily cut-off for same-day dispatch.
Milkis: frequently asked questions
What does Milkis taste like?
Milkis Original combines the creaminess of milk with the lightness of soda, producing a sweet, slightly yoghurty, lightly carbonated drink. The flavoured variants (Strawberry, Banana, Peach) add fruit notes to that creamy-fizzy base. The closest Western comparison is a cream soda crossed with a Yakult-style yoghurt drink, although neither is a direct match. The taste is genuinely different from any mainstream Western drink, which is part of the appeal for shoppers wanting something new.
Is Milkis vegan?
No. Milkis contains skimmed milk powder as a core ingredient across all flavours, so the range is not vegan, not dairy-free and not lactose-free. The "milk" in Milkis isn't just flavouring, it's an actual recipe ingredient that produces the drink's distinctive creamy texture.
Is Milkis halal?
Milkis is not formally halal certified across the range, though the recipe contains no obviously haram ingredients (no alcohol, no pork-derived ingredients). Muslim shoppers checking for halal certification should look at the back of each specific can for any certification mark. For formally halal-certified Asian drink options, see our Mogu Mogu range which is fully halal certified.
Who makes Milkis?
Milkis is made by Lotte Chilsung Beverage, the beverage division of South Korea's Lotte Group conglomerate. Lotte Chilsung also makes Chilsung Cider (the Korean equivalent of Sprite or 7Up) and various other Korean beverages. The Lotte Group is one of South Korea's largest conglomerates with interests across confectionery, retail, hospitality and chemicals.