Flavored soju drinks are starting to have more of a presence in Western liquor stores, maybe unsurprisingly, as popular Korean culture is gaining more global attention. From The Squid Games to K-Pop and the four Academy Awards won by the Korean black comedy Parasite a couple of years ago, the Western world is developing a taste for everything Korean, and now you can enjoy the sweet taste of the best soju flavors as you watch Korean TV or listen to the latest K-Pop classics.
But which are the best flavors to try? There’s a wide range of fruity flavors that can be enjoyed straight on a hot summer day, as an accompaniment to spicy foods, or mixed into a refreshing cocktail recipe while out drinking with friends.
Fruit-flavored soju is a great way to step into the soju world if you are unfamiliar with its neutral taste, with the slightly sweet taste of fruit juice and actual fruit making an even more refreshing drink than regular soju.
If you’re wondering which fruity taste to try first, here’s our league table of the best flavors of soju currently on the market.
Key Takeaways
- Flavored soju is a great way to start your journey to discover the delights of the Korean spirit.
- Soju is South Korea’s national drink, and you can also enjoy it unflavored.
- Fans of flavored alcohol will enjoy the journey through the different fruity soju tastes.
- Sip it, take it as a shot, or mix it into your favorite cocktails – have fun!
- Soju is also the perfect accompaniment to spicy dishes.
- Enjoy your soju journey, but please remember to drink responsibly!
What is Soju?
Soju is the most popular alcoholic beverage in South Korea and is commonly regarded as being the top-selling alcoholic beverage in the world. It is a clear and colorless Korean distilled spirit traditionally made from rice grains.
The companies that produce soju had to change their methods in the 1960s due to a rice shortage, and nowadays, other starches are used, including those obtained from cereal grains and sweet potatoes.
Regular soju, without added fruit-juice flavors, can be seen as an ‘acquired taste’ to some, and if you’re looking for your first soju experience, maybe a flavored soju is the way to go…
The Best Soju Flavors Ranked
Each of the flavored soju drinks below is delicious in its own right, and your taste buds may have different ideas as to which is the best flavor. The next time you’re drinking soju, instead of opting for original soju, why not give a couple of these flavored soju varieties, with the distinctive twist of fresh fruit, a try and see just how delicious they are?
So, don’t just take our word for it. The proof is in the pudding, as they say in the UK, and the best way to uncover the best soju flavors and the perfect drink for you is to dive in and give them all a try…
Grapefruit Soju
If you enjoy the sweet-yet-tart taste of citrus fruits in a drink, then maybe you will agree that grapefruit is the way forward.
Neither too tart nor overly sweet, the grapefruit flavor works well with the unique taste of soju, and its palate-cleansing ability makes it perfect for sipping as you tuck into spicy Korean food, such as kimchi (a fermented cabbage dish), japchae (roasted vegetables with noodles), or gochujang saewu gui (grilled shrimp skewers).
Strawberry Soju
The refreshing taste of summery strawberries is ideal for those who love sweet flavors, and strawberry soju tastes more like an alcoholic fruit juice than a strong distilled spirit.
Its milder taste and fruity flavor make it perfect for sipping but versatile enough to use in cocktails, too.
For an Asian twist on the James Bond classic, switch the vermouth in a martini for strawberry-flavored soju, or mix it into a summery strawberry margarita for a Mexico-Korea fusion drink.
Blueberry Soju
The light taste of blueberries may be less common in alcohol-infused juice drinks than strawberries and citrus fruits, but that just makes blueberry soju even better.
Its flavor is reminiscent of sipping vodka after eating a blueberry muffin and has the perfect balance of sweet flavor and a slight alcoholic kick, and it goes well with lighter foods, such as green salads or sushi.
Apple Soju
The light and sweet apple flavor in this flavored soju drink is perfect for those having their first soju experience.
Its subtle flavor won’t overpower your palate as some other drinks may, and it’s a popular choice in South Korea.
Replete with the gentle smells of orchards, apple soju can be enjoyed straight or added to your next batch of Appletinis.
Watermelon Soju
When it comes to a refreshing taste, cool and juicy watermelon is hard to beat.
Watermelon soju is another flavor that makes a great accompaniment to spicy foods.
But it can also hold its own, and when the summer is at its hottest, it’s perfect for making boozy watermelon slushies to sip in the shade and cool down with.
Lychee Soju
The small, fleshy, sweet fruit of the lychee tree imparts a floral flavor on the palate, and lychee soju is another of the lighter-tasting soju flavors.
Perfect for sipping at your next lawn or pool party, the airy alcohol-infused juice can also serve as a substitute for St‑Germain, a French liqueur made with fresh elderflowers, in cocktail recipes.
Peach Soju
If you are a fan of peach iced tea drinks, you may well want to slide the peach-flavored soju a little higher in your rankings.
The natural hint of peaches and its sweet flavor mask any unpleasant alcohol tastes well, and keeping a bottle in your home bar provides an Asian alternative to European peach schnapps in fruity cocktail recipes.
Green Grape Soju
Slightly less sweet than some of the other soju flavors on the list, the green grape flavor finds a nice balance between booze and berry.
Its clean flavor works well with spicy Korean food, and it’s light enough to enjoy neat and versatile enough to experiment with the next time you throw a cocktail party.
Yogurt Soju
If you fancy something slightly different, yogurt soju, or ‘yoghurt soju’ if you’re European, may become your favorite flavored soju.
Yogurt soju is a creamier incarnation of the Korean spirit, and its flavor is similar to a Yakult vodka martini.
The creamy flavor is also perfect at calming down the after-effects of spicy food, which is quite common in Asia, and the velvety texture can spruce up cocktails.
Enjoy a mudslide? Switch the vodka for yogurt soju and dive in.
Yuja Soju
Of all the flavored soju on the list, this one may have you Googling to find out what ‘yuja flavor’ actually is. Outside of Korea and Korean products, the term ‘yuja flavor’ may be switched to ‘yuzu flavor.’
The yuzu fruit is a citrus fruit that hails from East Asia, and its aromatic flavor is both tart and fragrant, not wildly dissimilar to a mix of grapefruit and lemon juice, with hints of mandarin oranges.
Pomegranate Soju
The hand grenade took its name from the French for pomegranate – la grenade – and, despite its lowly position on our list, pomegranate soju is capable of unleashing a taste explosion in your mouth.
Its sweet and tart flavors are a little more bitter than the grapefruit-flavored soju, but it’s still a pleasant drink that can be enjoyed on its own or blended into a fruity cocktail.
Pineapple Soju
If you love the idea of a pineapple-flavored alcohol that evokes both the Caribbean and Asia, you may well place the pineapple soju a little higher in your rankings.
Pineapple-flavored soju wasn’t the best for us, as it tasted more like tinned pineapple than fresh, but it could work pretty well if you fancy a Pina Colada with an Asian twist.
How to Drink Soju
Whether you pick up a flavored soju or an original soju, you can enjoy your purchase neat or as a cocktail ingredient. Drink soju cold and neat for the best flavor, with no ice, as it’s usually enjoyed as a shot, but you are free to sip away if you prefer.
Alternatively, you can enjoy a classic Korean soju bomb cocktail – known locally as a somaek – by dropping a shot glass of your flavored soju of choice into a half-filled glass of beer.
Where To Buy Soju
If you’re struggling to track down your flavored soju of choice in your local liquor stores, you can always purchase soju online.
FAQs
What kind of soju flavors are there?
Soju is available in several refreshing and fruity flavors. Some of the best soju flavors include grapefruit soju, blueberry soju, and apple soju.
What is the most famous and best soju?
HiteJinro Co., Ltd. is a South Korean company founded in 1924 and is the world’s leading producer of soju, accounting for more than half of the Korean soju market. It also manufactures a variety of other alcoholic beverages, including red wine and whiskey.
Jinro’s soju is known by the brand name Chamisul, which is the world’s most popular liquor, and the company also produces several varieties of flavored soju. Best soju flavors include Jinro Grapefruit Soju, Strawberry Soju, and the refreshing taste of Green Grape Soju.
What kind of alcohol is soju?
Soju is a favorite drink among South Koreans. It is the best-selling liquor in Korea, and it is a clear, distilled spirit with no color that is primarily made from starches, like rice or sweet potatoes. Soju is available in its original form, and there are also several flavored soju varieties to try.