This was probably the one with the strongest alcohol flavor, so if you like that, you might like this one more than we did. Its the passion for quality beer and not only beer. Otherwise, its entirely possible youre out of luck unless you know a fantastic liquor store (or off-licence if youre in the UK). How does soju taste? The package dimension of the product is 2.5"L x 2.5"W x 8.5"H ; But if youve never had the spirit, or even heard of it, heres everything you need to know about soju to get acquainted. Soju generally ranges from 16%-45% alcohol by volume (ABV). Good for cocktails. Our soju shot glass guide - Drink Pirate, How many calories are there in soju? 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. It can also be served alongside food, allowing you to sip on the soju throughout your meal. It can also be used as a substitute for vodka and gin in cocktails. If you're not ready to take a plunge into the world of soju flavors, then this is right up your alley being one of the best Jinro soju flavors! I came back home with a total of 9 flavors (from L-R in above image): Pomegranate, Peach (Good Day), Peach (Chum Churum), Grapefruit, Citrus, Pineapple, Green Grape, Apple, and Blueberry. The soju giant produces a handful of flavored soju products, including grapefruit, grape, strawberry, and plum, but it's the line of pure sojus that share space in our wine rack. 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. Made from winter wheat and organic rice, Isae rejects the notion of flavor additives and other unnecessary agents in its soju. Unlike American bourbon, Hwayo keeps a master distiller or an employee whose job duties entail overseeing the consistency of the spirit on staff. Add lemon: Add a few drops of fresh lemon juice and a lemon twist. Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) Her Campus Media LLC. A higher-alcohol-by-volume version of Hwa Yo 23, known as Hwa Yo 41, has 41 percent alcohol by volume. Its the best-selling liquor in the world that you need to try right now. Ranging from being meant to drink while casually out on the town, to swig while making your way through a feast, savoring while sipping gently, and shaking into an original cocktail, soju, like every other spirit, deserves the stage and consideration of the major player in the beverage world it has become in the last 10 years. Our soju shot glass guide, Korea's favorite soju and beer cocktail - how to make somaek - Drink Pirate, Does Cointreau go bad? Flavored soju alcohol percentages tend to come in at anywhere between 12% and 16%. You might be wondering, given this reduction, what the alcohol content of soju was traditionally. Both the person pouring and the receiver use two hands on the vessels. Soju typically has an ABV of around 20%, whle whisky and Vodka have an ABV of 40% or higher. Soju is also an easy way to transform favorite drinks into low-proof cocktails. Get it free when you sign up for our newsletter. Its from Korea, and is mostly consumed in Korea, Japan, and China, with Jinro being the most popular brand. Try These Substitutes, 6 Foods to Keep On Hand for After-School Snacking. 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. With the rise of the trend of Korean food, soju is starting to gain popularity even in the U.S. Additionally, because children metabolize alcohol faster than adults, even a small amount of soju can lead to high blood-alcohol concentrations that can be extremely dangerous. 13%. iichiko Shochu. That means it contains the same amount of alcohol as 4 shots or drinks. SKU. Traditional Korean soju and Japanese sake are similar in that they are both made from rice. Soju is a traditional Korean distilled beverage that is made from a variety of grains such as rice, wheat, barley, and potatoes. The peach soju alcohol content (soju peach flavor) has 13.5% alcohol content. The difference between the old and new waves is as stark as denim and silk. Flavored soju can be found in apple, blueberry, citrus, grape, grapefruit, peach, pineapple, and pomegranate, among other flavors. However, its uniqueness in the market makes it a curiosity worth sipping if you encounter it in the wild. All in all, soju is a versatile and delicious beverage that can be enjoyed responsibly by anyone over the legal drinking age. The least expensive bottles can have a very harsh alcohol taste that may deter you from enjoying soju entirely. 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. That makes this a comparatively rare variety of soju, and definitely a connoisseurs choice. Fully embracing soju's traditional methods, and without the inclusion of flavors or gimmicks, Pungjeon Sagye Winter Soju is an aromatic alternative to the oftentimes intentionally meek beverage. yogurt and soju cocktail at our page over here. Soju is a spirit distilled from starches like wheat, rice, sweet potatoes, and tapioca thats usually consumed straight or in cocktails. 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. Sake typically has a lower alcohol content than soju. Stay safe! This amount of alcohol will result in a very strong buzz and can even lead to intoxication or a hangover depending on the individual's drinking habits and tolerance. South Korea- Soju, Korean Vodka, is clear distilled liquor that's made mostly from rice and is the most popular alcoholic beverage in Korea. We thought it would be quite bitter, but it's a lot more fruity than we expected. Still, the brand's premium bottle, Jinro's Ilpoom (clocking in at 24% ABV) undergoes an extra distillation process where impurities are frozen and filtered away, leaving drinkers with a smoother, crisper, whiskey-like product we consider Jinro's very best. Jinro. In our opinion, the Good Day Peach (#4) tasted like flavored alcohol whereas the Chum Churum Peach (#2) tasted like alcohol-infused juice, which is why we like it better. Sweet potato soju will be sweeter than soju made from other starches. With the rise of Korean food, however, thats starting to change, says Ryan Te, general manager of New Yorks Jungsik and former beverage director at Oiji. According to master sommelier Kyungmoon Kim, the American market for artisanal soju started blowing up in the late 2010s. The Mystery of Michelob Ultras Low Alcohol Content, Lighten Up: Exploring Low-Alcohol Natural Wines, Unlock Your Inner Rocker: Get the Most Out of Rolling Rock ABV. They have a word in Korea that we dont have, Hill says. The alcohol content ranges from 13% up to 53% alcohol by volume depending on the brand. Why is soju so cheap in Korea? Peaches are one of the few fruits that tastes good both fresh and cooked. Most bottles of soju will fall in the range of 16 percent to 45 percent alcohol by volume (ABV, 32 to 90 proof). Not quite ready to tackle this spirit neat? For the first drink, an older member in the group will pour some soju into a shot glass and hand it to you. While traditionally served neat, soju can also be used as an ingredient in cocktails or mixed with oter beverages to create unique drinks. Good Day. So he founded KMS Imports to bring Michelin-worthy soju from Korea to the U.S., giving these small producers much-needed representation outside of the country. Hill's background in both rum and whiskey distilling informs his palette when creating this elegant soju label found in many upscale Korean restaurants and bars in New York and Brooklyn, where Tokki operations call home. Mass-produced soju, often found in small green bottles, are distilled from cheaper ingredients, like sweet potatoes, wheat and/or tapioca, then rounded out with artificial sweeteners so the final product has a sugary aftertaste to mask the bitter astringency. Kore- Jinro Strawberry Soju is infused with natural strawberry flavor for a refreshing, sweet taste. Soju from this brand . Hite Jinro chamisul . The most basic Soju will vary between 20 - 24 percent alcohol by volume. Golden Barley soju, for instance, has crisp notes of Korean plum and stone fruits against a subtle backdrop of savory grain. Where to Buy 13% ALC./VOL. Well, this tends to have an alcohol content in the region of 17% 24%. The Ultimate Guide to Finding the Perfect Gift for the Bourbon Lover, Taste the 21st Amendments Hell or High Watermelon, Beer Taps The Different Types and How They Work. Jinro also has a flavored . G4 Madera: A Sustainable Tequila Crafted by Felipe Camarena. Related content: Check out our page on flavored soju here weve got the alcohol content of every variety we could find! Korea. However, this can vary depending on how much you consume, your size and body composition, the rate at whch you consume it and any food that may be in your stomach. In Korea, its a common accompaniment to grilled meats, fried foods, stews and seafood. Soon Hari Peach Flavored Soju. Though it's long been a favorite drink in Korea and is a perfect pairing for Korean cuisine, soju is enjoying increased popularity in the West. Pomegranate is popular in Korea in the summertime, when its sold on street stalls as a juice and in fizzy drinks. Alcohol depresses the central nervous system, which slows down your brain activity and causes you to relax and become sleepy. Cheaper green-bottle soju on the other hand is best chilled.. Heres everything you need to know: Soju is a clear, neutral spirit usually distilled from grains. Yes, soju is typically drunk as a shot. At its most basic, soju is a clear, 20-24 percent alcohol by volume (ABV) spirit. Ingesting more alcohol in a shorter amount of time will lead to a quicker onset of effects. Sojus ABV is between 20-25 percent, which is half of vodkas ABV (usually around 40 percent). Then measure out 2oz. Soju is often sweeter while sake is dry in comparison. There is typically an astringency to the flavor, so you may notice a bitterness underneath the soju's subtle sweetness. Perhaps the only soju that shares a botanical blend more like tasting notes found in gin than vodka,Hemosu Soju produces several luxury bottles besides its flagship "Straight Soju" bottle, including a ginseng bottle, a barley bottle, and our favorite Hemosu's Pine Forest bottle. No, were not talking about drinking it fresh, or eating it straight, but drinking it in flavoured soju! There are different levels of alcohol in different types and brands of soju. YOKAICHI MUGI Honkaku Shochu. A graduate of Brown University and a collaborator on several cookbooks, her previous experience includes stints at Food & Wine, Food Network, three meal kit companies, a wine shop in Brooklyn, and Chez Panisse, the pioneering restaurant in Berkeley, California. This drink is not that well-known in the United States and the Western world, but is on the up and up. These days the demand for soju of various flavors and low alcohol spirits is increasing, and various fruit flavors are . Has 23 percent alcohol by volume. It's left unfiltered and has a tangy flavor because it naturally contains a lactic acid similar to that found in yogurt. Soju is a distilled spirit that typically contains around 20-45% alcohol by volume, making it very strong and much higher in alcohol content than wine or beer. Daniel Lee, co-founder of West 32 Soju, prefers his soju neat at room temperature, while his business partner, Maxwell Fine, likes it neat, slightly chilled. Unsurprisingly, flavored soju . SPIRITS TYPE. So while soju is strong, it's not the strongest alcohol out there. Yobo: A grape-based soju made in New York State. Everything You Need to Know About Korea's National Drink. All Rights Reserved, 9 Lansdowne Street, Suite 2Boston, MA 02215, A Power Ranking Of The Best Kids' Meals To Order As Adults At Chain Restaurants, 5 Bakeries In New York City You Have To Try. Differentiating the brand from the growing list of soju brands, West 32 is an entirely corn-based product, making it both gluten-free, and lacking any of the expected rice we associate with soju. BRAND. Once a soju solely found in Busan Korea, its popularity persisted until the refreshing bottle of soju can now be found in the United States. Find out here - Drink Pirate, Does Cointreau go bad? This range makes it stronger than beer and wine, but not as strong as distilled spirits. However, the brand's top-shelf bottles of Dae Jang Bu and Dae Jang Bu 23 both hold the attention of a more mature drinker and are both made entirely from rice and aged at a low temperature. No thanks. 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. Most bottles of soju will fall in the range of 16 percent to 45 percent alcohol by volume (ABV, 32 to 90 proof). Susan (she/her) is the recipe editor at Good Housekeeping, where she pitches ideas, parses words, and produces food content. However, as a general rule, soju used to be up at the heady heights of 40% ABV. It is typically clear and has a mild flavor that is slightly sweet and often compared to vodka. Several of the most popular soju brands contain no more than 24 percent alcohol. Meaning "second generation," Isae Soju represents one family's immigration to Germany in the 1960s and traces its legacy to today, where the founder produces the only traditional Korean soju crafted in the country. Easily found in the aisles of Asan grocery stores, Soonhari is a soju brand that enjoys the reach of mass appeal and accessibility. Despite the worldwide sales numbers of soju, the spirit isnt well known in the United States. Most recently, Blackpink's Jennie Kim, simply known as Jennie, has signed on as the brand's face of the #partywithme campaign, with commercials and life-size cutouts of her likeness lining liquor aisles. Soju is conventionally served chilled in shot glasses, which you can shoot or sip. Another offshoot of the Lotte brand, Soonhari produces a 12% ABV soju distilled from rice, sweet potatoes, and tapioca resulting in a subtly sweet, creamy-textured, soju that drinks easily but lacks dimension. Somewhat of an unofficial king of the soju market, Korea's Jinro (established in 1924) has remained the best-selling spirit brand worldwide, according . Soju, a form of distilled liquor made from grains such as rice, barley and wheat, generally contains between 20-45% alcohol by volume. By adding your email you agree to get updates about Spoon University Healthier. It is best served chilled and most often consumed straight and with food. [Your questions answered for 2023]. Soju is a distilled spirit from Korea that's traditionally made from rice. and heard often when enjoying soju. This is absolutely ideal for taking on a summer picnic and drinking with friends, without having to worry about having soju glasses available, or carrying around breakable glass. LOTTE Apple Soon Hari. 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