4 Soju Cocktails For A Korean-Themed Party; Tips And Recipes Inside
A traditional distilled spirit from Korea, soju is rapidly becoming a popular beverage in the global cocktail scene because of its sheer versatility and its smooth, subtle flavours that make it an excellent base for blending summertime cocktails. It is no wonder then that home hosts are so keen on blending drinks using soju, particularly while hosting Korean-themed parties and gatherings complete with a bit of K-pop playing in the background.
Find out more about some of the simple yet brightly flavoured cocktails that can be prepared using soju as their base, and straightforward recipes to put them together:
Korean Yogurt And Soju Cocktail
A creamy yet tangy and fresh mix, this drink is a party staple at many Korean-inspired gatherings and combines a couple of this region’s most traditional ingredients.
Ingredients:
- 30 ml plain or fruity soju (according to your taste preferences)
- 15 ml Korean yogurt
- 60 ml lemon-lime soda
- Ice as required
- Lemon wheel for garnish
Method:
– In a cocktail glass, bring together 30 ml plain or fruity soju (according to your taste preferences) and 15 ml Korean yogurt on a bed of ice. Top the drink off with 60 ml lemon-lime soda and stir gently. Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Fruity Soju Slushie
A tropical take on soju-based cocktails, this drink complete with the crisp, sweet and bright taste of fruits and the subtle flavours of soju is an interesting blend to serve at a summertime Korean-themed cocktail party.
Ingredients:
- 30 ml apple flavoured soju
- ½ cup frozen mixed fruits like apples, grapes and peaches
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Ice as required
- Peach slices and paper umbrellas for garnish
Method:
– In a blender, add 30 ml apple flavoured soju, ½ cup frozen mixed fruits like apples, grapes and peaches, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 teaspoon sugar and ice as required. Blend until the mixture becomes smooth. Serve in a mini mason jar with peach slices and paper umbrellas for garnish.
Also Read: 5 Korean Soju Cocktails For A Mix Of Tradition With Modern Flavours
Sparkling Soju Cocktail
An exquisite cocktail with an elegant and effervescent finish, this sparkling soju blend can be the go-to alternative while planning a cocktail menu for a chic Korean barbecue.
Ingredients:
- 30 ml plain soju
- 15 ml sparkling wine or champagne
- 45 ml peach juice
- Macerated cherry for garnish
Method:
– In a flute or coupé glass, bring together 30 ml plain soju and 15 ml sparkling wine or champagne. Top it off with 45 ml peach juice and garnish with a macerated cherry.
Spicy Soju Bloody Mary
A savoury drink in which soju interacts with tangy ingredients such as tomato juice, this blend puts an interesting twist on the classic cocktail recipe.
Ingredients:
- 30 ml plain soju
- 60 ml tomato juice
- 10 ml lime juice
- 2 dashes soy sauce or sesame salt
- ½ teaspoon gochujang or Korean chili paste
- Ice as required
- Pickled radish for garnish
Method:
– Bring together 30 ml plain soju, 60 ml tomato juice, 10 ml lime juice, 2 dashes of soy sauce or sesame salt and ½ teaspoon gochujang or Korean chili paste in a cocktail shaker, with ice as required. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a pickled radish.
Read on for some handy hacks to prepare and serve these drinks at your Korean-themed party and some tips to source soju in Indian regions:
– DIY Mixing Station: Curate a cocktail station full of different kinds of flavoured sojus and mixers so guests can participate in the mixology process at your Korean-inspired event.
– Korean Appetisers: Serving Korean appetisers like kimchi pancakes, spicy rice cakes or tteokbokki or seaweed crisps can be a total game changer at such a themed cocktail gathering.
– Sourcing Soju: In Indian regions, soju is available online or in licensed liquor stores but look for those drinks which contain about 20 – 25% ABV for a more traditional Korean spirit experience.
– Flavoured Sojus: Generally, flavoured sojus with fruity and bright flavours offer an interesting entry point into cocktails containing this spirit. So, if sourcing soju in Indian regions, go for grape, green apple, lychee or peach sojus so your palette gets more attuned to its flavours. Plain soju can then be introduced gradually into one’s mixology apparatus as a neutral, clear-tasting spirit that can be blended with versatile fruity and citrus mixers.
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
