Soju is the biggest Korean spirit and thus represents Korean Culture. The soju flavor can say a lot about Korean history, the regions and its people. Among them, top 11 flavors have been selected on the basis of their popularity through an analysis of millions of data on liquor consumption, including that of soju in various occasions like festivals, celebrations and events. Here are the best 11 flavors.
What Is Soju?
Soju is a Korean distilled beverage that’s been made for generations, and it is the single most-consumed alcoholic drink in Korea. It tends to have an alcohol content between 20% and 50% ABV (alcohol by volume), which makes it weaker than beer or wine, but stronger than pre-mixed drinks and other spirits like whiskey or vodka.
Soju is made from rice, barley, wheat, sweet potatoes, tapioca, and/or sugar cane. The method of making soju varies widely by region. In North Korea and Southwestern Korea, soju is distilled from rice; in Jeju Island and Chuncheon in South Korea, it’s made from sweet potatoes; and in many other areas of the country, different grains are used as the base ingredients.
The origin of the name “soju” comes from the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese characters for “distilled alcohol.” It is often called “Hangover Soju” because of its reputation for getting you drunk quickly and causing hangovers the next day.
Top 11 Best Soju Flavors
1. Grapefruit Soju
Grapefruit soju is the most popular flavor of soju in Korea, and it is made with a blend of Korean red ginseng and grapefruit juice. The drink has a sweet and sour taste, making it an excellent choice for a night out on the town. It also comes in a variety of colors including green, yellow and pink.
2. Banana Soju
Banana soju is similar to grapefruit soju but has a more unique flavor due to its inclusion of banana puree. The drink tastes like banana liqueur mixed with vodka or white rum, which makes it perfect for those who want to get drunk without having to worry about any extra sugar or calories in their drinks. A few drops of lime juice can also be added to enhance the taste of this cocktail even further!
3. Peach Soju
Peach soju has a sweet flavor and is made from distilled rice. It is usually consumed as a dessert, but can also be served as an alcoholic beverage. The taste of peach soju is similar to that of peach wine. It can be enjoyed by itself or with other drinks such as beer, whiskey and vodka.
4. Lemon Soju
Lemon soju is made from lemon peels using the same process as traditional distilled rice wine. It has a distinct lemon flavor which makes it very popular among women who enjoy drinking their alcohol straight up or on the rocks. Lemon soju has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its low calorie content and sweet taste.
5. Melon Soju
Melon soju is a popular flavor in Korea, especially at festivals and events. A melon soju is made with a combination of melon liqueur and traditional soju, which results in a sweet and refreshing drink.
6. Apple Soju
Apple soju is one of the most popular flavored sojus available. Apple soju has been around for decades and was popularized by Hite-Jinro’s Jinro Apple, which still enjoys great popularity today. The apple flavor comes from a liqueur called apple schnapps (also known as calvados), which is distilled from cider apples or other fruit juices.
7. Pineapple Soju
Pineapple soju is a popular variant of the traditional Korean spirit. It has a sweet, fruity taste that’s reminiscent of pineapple juice. In addition to being an all-around great drink, it also goes well with spicy foods and can be used as a mixer in cocktails.
8. Coconut Soju
Coconut soju is made with coconut water instead of water, giving it a distinctive flavor and aroma. It’s often described as tasting like cream soda or coconut cream pie. Because of its high alcohol content, it’s usually consumed cold rather than warm like other types of soju.
9. Strawberry Soju
Strawberry Soju is the most popular flavor of soju. It is one of the most widely available types of soju, especially in North America and Europe. Strawberry Soju is made by infusing a neutral grain alcohol with natural flavors such as strawberry and black sesame seeds. It’s usually served chilled or at room temperature in a shot glass or on the rocks with soda water and a lime wedge.
10. Green Grape Soju
Green grape soju is a sweet and sour liqueur made from distilled rice wine, water and sugar. The green color comes from an enzyme that turns starches into sugars during fermentation, which gives the liqueur its sweet flavor. Green grape soju has been around since the 1960s when it was first introduced by Korean liquor producers as an alternative to vodka for mixing cocktails.
11. Blueberry Soju
Blueberry soju is a fun and fruity flavored soju that is great for any occasion. It can be enjoyed mixed with water or soda, as well as mixed with your favorite cocktail. This is a great option for those who do not like the sweet taste of most fruit flavored soju, but still want to enjoy the benefits of fruit infused alcohols.
Tips for mixing soju
Soju is often enjoyed straight and warm or with water and food, but there are also many other ways to enjoy soju.
Here are some tips for mixing soju:
- Soju cocktails are a great way to take advantage of the versatility of this Korean liquor. There are many different types of soju cocktails, including soju martinis and other classic cocktails with a Korean twist.
- Soju can add depth and complexity to your favorite cocktail recipes by replacing some or all of the vodka or gin called for in the recipe. This especially works well when you want to make a lighter cocktail with less alcohol content than usual.
- Soju can be mixed with soda water to make a refreshing summer drink similar to sangria or punch. If you prefer something non-alcoholic, try adding fruit juice instead of soda water for a fruity punch that will put you in a good mood!
- Soju can also be mixed with beer as part of an Asian-style shandy known as “baekseju.” Baekseju is made by mixing beer with soju in varying ratios based on personal taste; it’s typically served ice cold, often with an ice cube.
- If you’re hosting a party or gathering, but don’t want to make a complicated cocktail, you can always just serve soju straight from the bottle. You can also add some ice to make it more palatable.
Conclusion
These 11 best soju flavors should make your decision a bit easier, and hopefully make you appreciate the beauty of this delightful drink. Each flavor conveys a different mood, taste or feeling and it is most important to find a Soju that matches your own mood on any given day. Experimenting with the different flavors will point you in the right direction towards finding the perfect match for your needs.
