Has 23 percent alcohol by volume. Although it is much stronger than beer or Wine, it is still not as strong as other hard alcohols like whisky and Vodka. 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. But what many people don't realize is that Soju is actually quite powerful, and can be surprisingly high in Alcohol content. Far more dimensional than the Korean BBQ the country is known for in America, Korean cuisine contains multitudes of micro-cultures depending on region, interpretation, and venue. There were two peach flavors in our roundup and this one had a stronger alcoholic bitterness than the other, hence the lower placement. Ingesting more alcohol in a shorter amount of time will lead to a quicker onset of effects. The Delicious Burlwood Brut Sparkling Wine Perfect for Any Occasion! What Is Soju? The clear alcoholic beverage is sometimes called Korean vodka because of its neutral flavor. In fact, grapefruit flavor soju is so popular, its also available in a sparkling variety in a can, for easy drinking. Fill your cup to the top with cubed ice. Sake typically has a lower alcohol content than soju. When dining on dishes like Korean ribs or Gochujang Fried Rice, its only natural to want to reach for something Korean to wash it all down, right? Jinro Soju has a clear, neutral flavor and only half the alcohol content of vodka. 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. 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 soju is similar to vodka in its neutral flavor and versatility in . Soju is traditionally consumed straight with food but also mixes well into cocktails. Soju is indeed a high-alcohol beverage, with the alcohol content ranging from around 15% to over 50%. In America, soju has been seen as a distilled spirit that doesnt follow the rules of a distilled spirit, Te says. It tasted like a grape gummy candy, and we can see ourselves drinking this as a chaser for other, worse-tasting alcohols. Is Malibu rum kosher? As a comparison, sake or wine is generally between 14 and 16 percent alcohol by volume, and your average shot of vodka or whiskey is 40 percent alcohol by volume. He is also familiar mixology and an experienced sommelier. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 19 to purchase, possess or consume any type of alcohol. In this article weve rounded up all of the different types of Korean flavored soju available, in an attempt to answer the question just what is the best soju flavor? It is typically clear and has a mild flavor that is slightly sweet and often compared to vodka. However, its uniqueness in the market makes it a curiosity worth sipping if you encounter it in the wild. 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. . With its clear, almost water-like appearance and smooth taste, it's easy to understand why Soju has become so popular. Gonbae is Korean for "cheers!" The original Jinro Chamisul soju has an alcohol content (ABV) of 20%, but around 2015, Jinro producers realized that there was a market for sweeter, lower ABV beverages; Jinro's fruit lineup of grapefruit, plum, green grape, and strawberry has just 13% ABV. SPIRITS TYPE. Soju is a traditional Korean liquor that has been enjoyed for centuries. The flavored soju has an even lower alcohol volume of 13%. 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. We recommend the Jinro Chamisul Fresh Soju, which has a 17.8% alcoholic . The sweet spot for soju's ABV (alcohol by volume) is 20 to 25% about half of vodka's but you can find excellent ones as low as 17% and as high as 45%. We thought it would be quite bitter, but it's a lot more fruity than we expected. 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. Ask a Bartender: Should I Use Waxed or Unwaxed Lemons for Cocktails? You can sip it if you want, but shooting it is more common. Lotte's Chum Churumshould look familiar to anyone familiar with Korean markets (like H Mart) since the brand sits just under Jinro as the globe's most-sold bottle of soju. This drink is not that well-known in the United States and the Western world, but is on the up and up. 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. Sometimes beer on its own is too light and needs a boost, says Kyungmoon Kim. But if youve never had the spirit, or even heard of it, heres everything you need to know about soju to get acquainted. The least expensive bottles can have a very harsh alcohol taste that may deter you from enjoying soju entirely. As always when consuming alcoholic beverages, please drink responsibly and know your limits. As a popularly grown fruit in the country, it also makes a perfect flavouring for soju. Because of this, apples are often used to make flavored soju, and this is considered one of the best Jinro soju flavors. And back in the motherland? There are many brands of soju available; some are exclusive to Korea while others are distributed globally. Soju is usually made from fermented grains, such as wheat, barley and/or rice, but can also be made from other starchy ingredients, like sweet potatoes or tapioca. The peach soju alcohol content (soju peach flavor) has 13.5% alcohol content. One soju is equivAlent to about two beers. Whilst this type of soju is still available, it is much rarer and considerably less available than the more mass-produced and mass-marketed brands like Jinro and Chamisul. So just what is the alcohol content of soju, and what percentage alcohol does it contain? - Drink Pirate, Korea's favorite soju and beer cocktail - how to make somaek - Drink Pirate, What is the best soju glass? Restaurants can build low-alcohol cocktail lists by using soju as a vodka replacement, in turn boosting its popularity. All fine dining restaurants in Korea now serve artisanal soju, Kim says. The floral, flirty taste is dry on the palette and works for a soju novice's first steps into higher-end bottles without breaking the bank on polarizing flavors. It is clear in color and usually between 20-50% alcohol by volume. No, were not talking about drinking it fresh, or eating it straight, but drinking it in flavoured soju! Flavored soju alcohol percentages tend to come in at anywhere between 12% and 16%. Dont worry about not drinking it properly just have fun with it.. But what if you want to cut out the middleman and just get that yogurty goodness without having to have other ingredients ready in your fridge? 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. . Hite Jinro chamisul . 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. 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. Sweet potato soju will be sweeter than soju made from other starches. The Comeback of Zima: Enjoying the Refreshing Taste of the 90s! Jinro Chamisul: Made from a mix of rice, barley, and tapioca, this popular soju has 20.1 percent 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. Consuming soju can lead to a range of health problems in children, including low blood sugar, coma, and difficulty regulating body temperature. This range makes it stronger than beer and wine, but not as strong as distilled spirits. Its often created with wheat, sweet potatoes, and tapioca, lending it a somewhat sugary flavor when compared to other spirits. 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. The biggest difference is how the two are made: Sake is fermented and brewed like beer and soju is distilled like vodka. Our soju shot glass guide, Korea's favorite soju and beer cocktail - how to make somaek - Drink Pirate, Does Cointreau go bad? Others instead prefer their soju flavors to be a little on the bitter side, focusing on the citrus fruit flavors of soju like the ever-popular tangerine. By adding your email you agree to get updates about Spoon University Healthier. LOTTE Apple Soon Hari. After the first drink, glasses are filled up whenever theyre empty, and people pass the bottle around the table. Soju has aout half the alcohol content of most vodkas, meaning that if you drink a lot, it could still lead to a hangover. A far cry from the luxury soju's we've seen crop up in the last ten years, Charm still holds a place in a grocery store aisle all its own for its uniqueness and candied, rice-milk texture. No, soju does not get people drunk easily. Easily found in the aisles of Asan grocery stores, Soonhari is a soju brand that enjoys the reach of mass appeal and accessibility. Step 2. I bet you're wondering right nowwhat even is soju and why I am trying to find the best soju flavors? Fortified Wine: Alcohol Percentage 16-24% Unfortified Wine: Alcohol Percentage 14-16% Malt beverage: Alcohol Percentage 15% Champagne: Alcohol Percentage 12.5% Vodka: Alcohol Percentage 40-95% Gin: Alcohol Percentage 36-50% Tequila: Alcohol Percentage 50-51% Rum: Alcohol Percentage 36-50% Gin and vodka cocktails are natural uses for the neutral flavor of soju, so you will find it in drinks like the Negroni, gimlet, and bloody Mary. 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. Much like vodka, soju is made today in a variety of flavors. Where to Buy 13% ALC./VOL. Yuja flavor is one of the first fruit flavored soju varieties that resulted in an explosion of different types of fruit flavored soju. However, there is one special extra variety of flavored soju available, and its one of the best its our personal favorite, yogurt! Given theyre sweet and tangy, theyre a perfect choice for flavouring soju to offset the alcohol and give you summery vibes! It is a cleardistilled liquor made from rice, like many drinks in Korea. Soon Hari Peach Flavored Soju. 1 Beer! Soju typically has an ABV of around 20%, whle whisky and Vodka have an ABV of 40% or higher. You might be wondering, given this reduction, what the alcohol content of soju was traditionally. Jinro. [2023 FAQ]. Additionally, impurities in soju can cause headaches and stomach upset even if you have not drunk too much. While traditionally served neat, soju can also be used as an ingredient in cocktails or mixed with oter beverages to create unique drinks. With the increasing popularity of soju both in Korea and elsewhere, producers have launched lots of different soju flavors to capture more of the expanding flavored soju market. Famous amongst locals and internationals alike, Chamisul is currently the . 2014 - 2023 VinePair Inc. Made In NYC. Assuming the cocktail is mixed using a 60 proof soju, it clocks in at a relatively light 10 percent or 20 proof, similar to a glass of white wine. But a spirit connoisseur will enjoy artisanal soju neat in a wine glass to experience the complex flavors, says Kim. 3. Peach flavored soju is also a great way to satisfy a sweet tooth, since their taste stays with you for a long time. The most basic Soju will vary between 20 - 24 percent alcohol by volume. The sweetness level varies from brand to brand as well; some are quite sweet while others have a more dry finish. Some people prefer sweet flavored soju, like apple or watermelon. Whiskey: Whats the Difference? Definitely not bad though, a solid middle. We are starting off our top 3 now! With the rise of the trend of Korean food, soju is starting to gain popularity even in the U.S. No, soju does not necessarily give you a hangover, but it can depending on how much you drink and the quality of the soju.