Calpis is a Japanese uncarbonated soft drink, manufactured by Calpis Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Asahi Breweries headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo.
The beverage has a light, somewhat milky, and slightly acidic flavor, similar to plain or vanilla flavored yogurt or Yakult. Its ingredients include water, nonfat dry milk and lactic acid, and is produced by lactic acid fermentation.
The drink is sold as a concentrate which is mixed with water or sometimes milk just before consumption. A pre-diluted version known as Calpis Water, or its carbonated variety, known as Calpis Soda, are also available. It is also used to flavor kakigōri (shaved ice) and as a mixer for cocktails and chūhai.
It was first marketed on 7 July 1919. It quickly became popular in pre-war Japan, as its concentrated form meant it kept well without refrigeration. The polka dot packaging used to be white dots against a blue background until the colors were inverted in 1953. It was originally themed on the Milky Way, which is in reference to the Japanese festival of Tanabata on 7 July, a traditional observation seen as the start of the summer.