Soju is possibly one of the most popular liquors in the world and yet we haven’t managed to get too much of it in India. Of course, with the exception of Jinro, which can still be found in quaint Korean restaurants around the country. If you do happen to get your hands on a bottle, you’ll know that drinking soju straight up may be great but in a cocktail is even better. Here are a few recipes you could try your hand at:
Apple Soju Cocktail
A fruity take on soju is possibly the best take on this delicious Korean liquor. It’s refreshing and perfect to have right before dinner to start on a high note. This recipes serves 8 so you’ll have 7 really impressed friends.
What you’ll need:
- 1 Granny Apple
- 2 cups soju
- 5 cups chilled tonic water
- 8 lime wedges
Instructions:
- Slice the apple into thin matchstick sized slices
- Add the slices to the soju and stir, then cover and chill for 30 minutes
- Fill 8 glasses with ice and strain ¼ cup soju into each glass
- Add in a few slices into each glass
- Top with tonic water and lime wedge
Korean Yogurt Soju Cocktail
It might sound strange to mix yogurt and alcohol but yogurt soju drinks are actually extremely popular in Korea. And who are we to argue with the people who created soju for the world to enjoy. You can also experiment with different flavoured sojus to find your perfect mix.
What you’ll need:
- 89 ml soju
- 89 ml Asian yogurt drink or Yakult
- 89 ml lemon-lime soda (like 7Up or Sprite)
Instructions:
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add all three ingredients
- Shake well till the mixture is chilled
- Pour into a glass and serve
Soju Watermelon Cocktail
If you’re one to host several drunken parties and like to serve up different concoctions everytime – the soju watermelon cocktail or subak soju as it’s called in Korea is perfect. It’s cute, it’s potent and it’s effing delicious.
What you’ll need:
- 2 small seedless watermelons, chilled in the fridge
- 2 chilled bottles of soju
- 2 cups ice cubes
Instructions:
- Cut the top of the watermelon and scoop out the watermelon, making a bowl
- Put the scooped out flesh into a mixer and blend for 1 minute, till smooth
- Strain the mixture in a sieve, pressing on it gently and discard the pulp
- Pour 4 cups of the strained juice and 4 cups of soju into a pitcher and mix
- Pour this mixture into the watermelon bowl and add ice
Celery & Tonic
If someone were to tell me to have a drink with celery in it, I would probably just walk out of the room. But bring soju into the mix and you’ve got yourself a winner! A spin on the classic gin and tonic, this drink definitely doesn’t disappoint even the most seasoned drinker.
What you’ll need:
For cocktail –
- 1.5 cup rice-based soju
- 22 ml celery shrub
- Tonic water
For celery shrub –
- ¼ cup white sugar
- ½ cup fresh celery juice
- ½ cup rice wine vinegar
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
To make the celery shrub –
- Gently cook vinegar, sugar and salt in a saucepan until sugar and salt fully dissolve
- Remove from heat (do not bring vinegar to a boil) and place mixture in the fridge to completely cool
- Mix the freshly pressed celery juice and vinegar mixture and shake
- The shrub can be stored for 1.5 weeks in a fridge
To make the cocktail –
- Add soju and celery shrub to a glass with ice
- Stir with a spoon
- Top with tonic water and stir once more
Lemon and Pear Soju Martini
Just the name has us drooling and planning to make seconds. A quirky mixture of sweet peaches, tangy lemons and of course, the star of the show, soju – this martini gets all the points for being unique yet managing to class up any occasion.
What you’ll need:
- 1 lemon wedge
- 15 ml pear liqueur
- 103 ml soju
Instructions:
- Squeeze lemon into a cocktail shaker filled with ice
- Pour pear liqueur, soju into the shaker and shake well
- Strain into a chilled martini glass and serve