Is Milkis Made Out of Milk? The Creamy Korean Soda Explained

December 20, 2025 •

3 min read

Launched in 1989, Milkis is a popular South Korean soft drink known for its creamy and fizzy sensation. Many drinkers, captivated by its milky flavor, wonder if Milkis is made out of milk. The simple answer is yes, but not in the way you might assume.

Quick Summary

Milkis contains dairy ingredients, specifically powdered skim milk, to achieve its creamy texture and flavor. It is a carbonated beverage that harmonizes the softness of milk with the refreshment of soda, distinguishing it from traditional American cream sodas.

Key Points

Contains Dairy: Milkis is made with powdered skim milk, giving it a creamy texture and milky flavor without using liquid milk.
Carbonation Friendly: The use of milk powder prevents curdling and separation, which would happen if liquid milk were combined with carbonated water.
Not Vegan: Because it contains a milk-derived ingredient, Milkis is not suitable for vegans.
Korean Innovation: Produced by Lotte Chilsung, Milkis was launched in 1989 as a solution to combine the taste of milk with soda.
Distinct from Cream Soda: Unlike American cream soda, which is vanilla-flavored and dairy-free, Milkis has a tangy, milky flavor from its dairy content.
Fruity Varieties: Many flavors are available, including original (yogurt), strawberry, and melon, all built on the same creamy soda base.

Decoding the Creaminess: What's Really in Milkis?

Milkis is a South Korean carbonated beverage produced by Lotte Chilsung. While its name and signature milky-white appearance might lead you to believe it contains liquid milk, the truth lies in a clever formulation designed to prevent curdling. Traditional dairy and carbonation do not mix well, leading to separation and an unappealing texture. To solve this, the manufacturers use powdered skim milk and other additives to achieve the creamy, refreshing taste.

The Key Ingredients Behind Milkis

Milkis's distinctive flavor profile comes from a combination of standard soda components and specific milk-derived ingredients.

Carbonated Water: Provides the characteristic fizziness found in all soft drinks.
Sugar (or High Fructose Corn Syrup): Sweetens the beverage.
Skim Milk Powder: This key ingredient provides the creamy, milky flavor and color without the issues of using liquid milk. It's listed on ingredient labels and is what makes Milkis a dairy product.
Yogurt Flavoring: An artificial flavoring often added, especially in the original flavor, to enhance the overall creamy and tangy taste.
Stabilizers: Ingredients like soybean polysaccharides and phosphoric acid are used to maintain the drink's consistent, non-curdled texture.
Citric Acid: An acidity regulator that adds a subtle tartness to balance the sweetness.

Milkis vs. American Cream Soda: A Comparison

Many in the United States compare Milkis to American cream soda, but there are fundamental differences in their ingredients and flavor profiles. The comparison below highlights these differences.


Feature	Milkis (Korean Cream Soda)	American Cream Soda
Dairy Content	Contains powdered skim milk for a creamy texture.	Generally does not contain any dairy products.
Flavor Profile	Creamy, tangy, and milky due to milk and yogurt flavorings.	Typically a vanilla-based sweet flavor.
Mouthfeel	Harmonious blend of soft creaminess and fizzy carbonation.	Primarily fizzy, with no creamy component from dairy.
Color	Milky and opaque.	Often clear or amber-colored.
Country of Origin	South Korea.	United States.

Why is Milk Powder Used Instead of Liquid Milk?

The decision to use skim milk powder instead of liquid milk is based on scientific principles. Combining carbonated water with liquid milk would cause the milk to curdle, resulting in an unpalatable, separated beverage. Powdered milk, in contrast, disperses evenly and creates the desired creamy texture without any risk of curdling from the carbonation. This formulation ensures that Milkis can maintain its consistent, enjoyable mouthfeel and appearance over time.

List of Popular Milkis Flavors

Beyond the classic original flavor, Milkis is available in a variety of fruity options that incorporate the creamy, milky soda base. Some of the most popular include:

Strawberry: Adds a sweet, fruity note to the creamy soda.
Melon: A popular flavor that balances the milky taste with a fresh, sweet melon flavor.
Banana: Offers a distinct, recognizable banana flavor layered with the creamy carbonation.
Peach: A fruity option with a delicate, sweet peach taste.
Orange: Delivers a zesty, citrus-infused creamy soda experience.

What Makes Milkis so Unique?

Milkis occupies a distinct niche in the beverage market. It’s not just a soda and not just a milk drink; it’s a harmonious fusion of the two. For consumers, it offers a novel taste sensation that is both familiar and exotic. Its success is a testament to the fact that new and interesting flavor combinations can thrive, especially when they leverage tried-and-true ingredients in innovative ways. While the drink's origins trace back to South Korea, its global popularity demonstrates a widespread appetite for beverages that offer more than the standard fizzy drink. The use of powdered milk is the ingenious solution that makes this unique combination possible, allowing for a shelf-stable and consistently delicious product.

Conclusion: The Truth Behind the Creamy Fizz

So, is Milkis made out of milk? Yes, it contains milk ingredients, but specifically in the form of powdered skim milk. This critical distinction is what allows for its perfectly blended creamy texture and refreshing carbonation, avoiding the curdling that would occur with liquid dairy. The next time you enjoy this popular Korean soda, you can appreciate the smart ingredient choice that makes its unique flavor possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Milkis is considered a dairy product because it is made with powdered skim milk. This gives it its characteristic milky taste and texture.

Powdered skim milk is a dairy product made by dehydrating liquid skim milk. The process removes the water, leaving a powder that can be easily mixed with other ingredients.

The manufacturers use milk powder to prevent the beverage from curdling. When liquid milk is mixed with carbonated water, the high acidity causes the milk proteins to separate, resulting in a clumpy, unappealing texture.

While the original flavor of Milkis contains a yogurt flavoring, it does not contain actual yogurt. The flavor is added to enhance the tangy, creamy taste.

Yes, Milkis is a caffeine-free beverage. Despite being a soda, it does not contain any added stimulants.

People with lactose intolerance should be cautious, as Milkis contains milk-derived ingredients. It is not a lactose-free product, and the severity of reactions depends on individual sensitivity.

Milkis has a unique flavor profile often described as a creamy, milky soda with a mild, sweet, and slightly tangy taste. The original flavor is reminiscent of a yogurt-flavored cream soda.