The national drink of Korea, soju is the best-selling liquor in the world by volume, and sales have only been growing in recent years. Yuja flavor is one of the first fruit flavored soju varieties that resulted in an explosion of different types of fruit flavored soju. Because it works so well with soju, most flavored soju available is fruit flavored. Because of this, the Korean people have long been using them as a way to enjoy sojus unique flavor and color. Although it is much stronger than beer or Wine, it is still not as strong as other hard alcohols like whisky and Vodka. It is important to remember that drinking in moderation is key when consuming any alcoholic beverages. The only difference being the bottles of Dae Jang Bu 23 also experience a short time in oak barrels, making both premium bottles more akin to high-end vodkas in their overall taste and finish. It's important to be aware of the alcohol content of any alcoholic beverage you consume, and this includes soju as well. 375 ml. The alcohol content of soju varies depending on the brand and type, but is usually between 19-25%. To make it easy, some brands even mention the alcohol content of the soju in the branding, by ending the name with a number which corresponds to the alcohol by volume percentage. For the first drink, an older member in the group will pour some soju into a shot glass and hand it to you. 750 ml. Both are somewhat staples at Korean restaurants worldwide, along with its Jinro 24, a larger bottle containing both whispers of sugar and citric acid, making it the brand's bottle intended for cocktails. Like most widely distributed soju brands, Good Day offers flavored versions of its flagship product (our favorites being pineapple and melon) but the Good Day claim to fame lies in the waters of Masan, an area known for its cleanliness. Unlike American bourbon, Hwayo keeps a master distiller or an employee whose job duties entail overseeing the consistency of the spirit on staff. Peach flavored soju is also available in a sparkling canned drink. Makkoli is the Korean equivalent to sake and is essentially a rice wine that is fermented (not distilled). . Mulderbosch: Crafting South Africas Finest Ros. Its probably a less commonly grown and eaten fruit in other countries, which makes it a great choice to try on your journey through all of the different varieties of flavored soju! Golden Barley soju, for instance, has crisp notes of Korean plum and stone fruits against a subtle backdrop of savory grain. Even the reduced alcohol content Fresh brands have come down by a percentage point or so since their launch. Available in White, Black, and Gold labels, each bottle of Tokki presents differently on the tongue; the original White label is a light, workhorse soju appealing to a wide audience with its gentle flavor and slight vanilla notes, and the Black Label carries a more robust, fuller body meant to sip neat or on the rocks, or to be shaken into craft cocktails. He recommends a light lager for the beer the less flavor it has, the better. So-maek is a classic partner to Korean fried chicken or try it with a pile of savory sticky wings. In Korea, its a common accompaniment to grilled meats, fried foods, stews and seafood. Soju is a clear alcoholic beverage iconic to South Korea. Being citrus-flavored, it has a slightly bitter aftertaste but is quite refreshing. Where to Buy JINRO PEACH SOJU The original and best-selling bottle is distilled from rice, potato, and sweet potatoes and carries a 16.9% ABV, while the "rich" bottle has undergone a 10-year aging process, and its ABV has risen to 21%. Somewhere between a flavored soju and a sophisticated rendition of the beverage, Seoul Night is a non-serious, plum soju perfect for a date night, or to sip on its own, but the intense plum flavor resonates a little too strongly to pair with a meal. Following the liberation of Korea from Japan and the Korean War years in the 1950s, soju production was again put into jeopardythis time by the rice shortage in the 1960s. Tokki: A premium rice soju made in Brooklyn using the traditional method. Sake typically has a lower alcohol content than soju. The brand only makes the one, unflavored product meant to be enjoyed on the rocks and in cocktails, and can cost upward of $50 a bottle, which is steep for a product known for its affordability. Its just a matter of time until it breaks out., Like wine, soju is meant to be consumed with food, and vice versa. vodka: Vodka is a clear, neutral-flavored spirit with a high alcohol content. No, soju is not the strongest alcohol. In addition, soju is used in mixed drinks and alcoholic punches. The Image Party/Shutterstock. Definitely not bad though, a solid middle. These tend to be more complex with a longer, resonant finish and a wide range of flavor profiles, depending on the distillate and production methods. It's soju, Korea's national alcohol, a clear beverage with an alcohol by volume (ABV) value between 16% and 25%. Four shots of soju is a very large amount to consume in one sitting. Pomegranate Liz Margaretha Restaurants that want to serve soju dont have to apply for (or pay for) expensive liquor licenses in New York and California. For example, back in 1998 Chamisuls classic Original brand came in at a 23% alcoholic content, which has steadily reduced to the 20.1% we know and love today. Soju is a spirit distilled from starches like wheat, rice, sweet potatoes, and tapioca thats usually consumed straight or in cocktails. It's left unfiltered and has a tangy flavor because it naturally contains a lactic acid similar to that found in yogurt. This saves you having to have lots of different fruit juices in your fridge, or to worry about the supermarket not having your favorite fruit available. Worth tracking down a bottle at a high-end or specialty liquor store, Sulseam pleases everyone from the casual soju drinker to the guest who veers toward the top-shelf option. A bottle we reach for because of it's uniqueness to both the market and our bar cart, West 32 is a far cry from the one essential bottle you need to round out your bottle shelf, but rather is a one-of-a-kind addition to a healthy spirit collection. Is Malibu rum kosher? Another relative newcomer to the soju scene is Germany's Isae Soju, the country's first and only soju manufacturer. [1] [2] [3] It is usually consumed neat. Soju is a traditional Korean distilled spirit that has become popular in many countries around the world, particularly in East Asian nations. Recent surveys have suggested that this is the most popular flavored soju variety amongst students, meaning youll be in good company amongst the drinkers of Korea if you choose this option. Soju is traditionally consumed straight with food but also mixes well into cocktails. While kyoho, or giant mountain grapes, are more frequently cultivated in Asia, these grapes are more frequently served as a dessert. Elsewhere, you can find soju at some liquor stores that cater to international spirits. Sojus alcohol content varies, but usually falls in the 20-25 percent ABV range. Therefore, it is not recommended to consume more than two shots of soju in one sitting. Distilled entirely from rice grain, Jinro's Chamisul or "dew" remains the brand's flagship bottle, followed by Chamisul Fresh, which includes bamboo in its distillate process for a cleaner mouthfeel. Korean bars are filled with imaginative soju cocktails. Historically, soju is a Korean spirit, she says, but in the end, soju is just alcohol. Her advice for soju newbies? At just slightly higher ABV (22%) than most conventional sojus (at around 17%), Mir is a great bottle to start elevating your soju collection beyond the bottles you're bound to find at your local Korean grocery store. Because of this, apples are often used to make flavored soju, and this is considered one of the best Jinro soju flavors. Made from golden maesil plums and double distilled cold, notes Flask & Field, Seoul Night is the newcomer with a gentle lift of flavor and reminds us of the White Claw and the boozyseltzer movement. [4] [5] .css-lwn4i5{display:block;font-family:Neutra,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:-0.01rem;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;text-align:center;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-lwn4i5:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}Bourbon vs. 2014 - 2023 VinePair Inc. Made In NYC. Depending on the preparation, a 330ml bottle of soju can . If you're looking for a soju substitute for a recipe, consider using one of these options. They are popular for their sweet and juicy taste, and for its nutritious benefits. Shochu is a low alcohol Japanese distilled spirit made from barley, rice, or sweet potato, so it is similar to soju. Soju has a clean, neutral taste. Yes, soju is typically drunk as a shot. Has 23 percent alcohol by volume. From Good Housekeeping for Dollar General, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. The flavored soju has an even lower alcohol volume of 13%. For example, some of our favorite flavored soju types are much lower in alcoholic content than standard, traditional soju. While traditionally served neat, soju can also be used as an ingredient in cocktails or mixed with oter beverages to create unique drinks. In the summer, watermelon and soju are a popular pairing and beer is often mixed with soju, too. Ask a Bartender: Should I Use Waxed or Unwaxed Lemons for Cocktails? Why is soju so cheap in Korea? While the brand's soju is available in a Crayola box of flavors, most (like the popular grapefruit variety) have a mild 13% ABV. - Drink Pirate, Korea's favorite soju and beer cocktail - how to make somaek - Drink Pirate, What is the best soju glass? The biggest difference is how the two are made: Sake is fermented and brewed like beer and soju is distilled like vodka. Soju is a colorless grain-based distilled liquor with an average alcohol content of about 15 percent, with the exception of some high-proof sojus up to 50 percent. These days the demand for soju of various flavors and low alcohol spirits is increasing, and various fruit flavors are . You never pour your own soju; its always consumed as a communal drink. Jinro Chamisul: Made from a mix of rice, barley, and tapioca, this popular soju has 20.1 percent alcohol by volume. Cheaper green-bottle soju on the other hand is best chilled.. Another brand ubiquitous in the markets and restaurants of Korean businesses throughout the world is the cheerily-named Good Day Soju, the chief commodity of Korea's Muhak distillery which has been operating since 1929. Pineapples are one of those fruits that not everyone is crazy for, but I personally love them a lot. Caught between Australian terrain, Korean culture, and contemporary marketing, Hoju emerges as a hip, thoughtful bottle of soju, if not a little on the nose. It is clear in color and usually between 20-50% alcohol by volume. Soju is typically 375ml and 20% ABV, whch is equivalent to 1/4 of a 750 ml bottle of 40% ABV vodka. Where to Buy 13% ALC./VOL. Soju can also affect the neurotransmitters in your brain that are responsible for controlling your sleep-wake cycle. whiskey: Whiskey is a distilled spirit made from grain. Some people prefer sweet flavored soju, like apple or watermelon. Good Day. According to Maxwell Fine, co-founder of West 32 Soju in New York, the U.S. market for soju is booming big time, showing a sales percentage increase in the double digits. Whiskey: Whats the Difference? Soju is a distilled spirit from Korea that's traditionally made from rice. LOTTE Apple Soon Hari. A Korean American herself, Kim struck out to rebuff "traditional" methods of soju making and chose to produce soju entirely from local grapes surrounding Northern California as opposed to rice and other grains more commonly found in the clear spirit. Because of this lower alcohol content compared to other Spirits, it takes more drinks for someone to becme intoxicated from soju than it does with harder liquors. Susan (she/her) is the recipe editor at Good Housekeeping, where she pitches ideas, parses words, and produces food content. Another hit for the summer months, green grape is a refreshing choice of flavored soju with just the right burst of sweetness to counteract the alcohol of the soju. A fun alternative for a gin and tonic, or even a martini with a twist, Hemosu Soju leans into earthy tones and is well worth the price tag of $40 and above to keep a bottle of the singular soju amongst your spirit collection. Though an array of subtle differences demarcate the two, clear beverages, soju oftentimes is flippantly referred to as "the sake of Korea" instead of having its own moment to shine. Despite the fact that some flavors ranked lower than others, I'd still gladly take any flavored soju over most other alcohols any day. Ikkomon Honkaku Shochu. Released into the market in 2006, the brand produces some of the best-flavored soju on the market, including our favorite, the Yogurt Soju, which includes a small amount of a tart, Korean yogurt drink popular among children. Soju has aout half the alcohol content of most vodkas, meaning that if you drink a lot, it could still lead to a hangover. It is best served chilled and most often consumed straight and with food. You can sip it if you want, but shooting it is more common. Yobo: A grape-based soju made in New York State. Korea and Japan produce two other alcoholic beverages that are similar as well. However, soju is not always easy to find, and it can be expensive. Samhae soju, on the other hand, has hints of nuttiness and salinity. of soju (1/4 cup or two shots) into the glass, and stir the yakult and soju together. Peach flavored soju is also a great way to satisfy a sweet tooth, since their taste stays with you for a long time. The beverage comes in a variety of flavors, such as blueberry, grapefruit, lemon and apple. Mixing soju with yogurt, or most popularly a yogurt-based drink such as Yakult, and a fizzy lemon and lime drink like Sprite is massively popular with students in Korea. The best thing about plum flavored soju is that its normally served with a whole plum at the bottom of the bottle, making it a great conversation starter amongst first time soju drinkers and its what introduced me to soju in the first place! The least expensive bottles can have a very harsh alcohol taste that may deter you from enjoying soju entirely. Hwa Yo 41: A higher-alcohol-by-volume version of Hwa Yo 23 that sits at 41 percent alcohol by volume. 375 ml. Distilled from rice with natural bedrock waters from Mount Samgak, reports Wine-Searcher, Busan's favorite soju also claims to deliver softer hangovers due to the presence of asparagine in its bottling processes. However, its uniqueness in the market makes it a curiosity worth sipping if you encounter it in the wild. Alcohol Type: Soju: Flavor: Peach: Number of Items: 1: Alcohol Content: 14 Percent by Volume: Liquid Contents Description: Liquor and Spirits: Item Form: Liquid: Liquid Volume: 375 Milliliters: Item Weight: 1 Pounds: Package Weight: 1 Pounds: See more. In the market makes it a curiosity worth sipping if you want, but shooting it still! A tangy flavor because it naturally contains a lactic acid similar to that found in yogurt older member in wild... 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