Beer And Soju Collide For South Korea's Most Popular Cocktail
It is pretty common to see people raising a toast with bottles of soju when enjoying a meal of Korean barbecue. The traditional Korean wheat liquor comes in a multitude of flavors, ranging from peach, mango, and strawberry, and has been classified as the world's most popular spirit by several publications, including Liquor.com. Regardless of the variety, this beverage has a very distinct, sweet taste due to the fact that it is made with sweet potatoes and tapioca (via VinePair).
Now, imagine that combined with the earthy, malted taste of beer. Its often universal bitter taste is attributed to the cones of the humulus lupulus flower it is made out of, with more hops contributing to a bitter palette (via Allagash Brewing Company). However, there is a cocktail that has recently risen in popularity and successfully combines the two different flavor profiles together — and it is now known as Somaek.
A drink that is perfectly fruity and carbonated
The lovechild of beer and soju is called Somaek, and it has recently become a summer favorite in South Korea. Its name is a direct combination of soju and "maekju," which translates to "beer" in Korean (via Portland Mercury). The drink is described to be both refreshing and tasty, as it uses a lighter beer, which has a less pungent aroma than a typical dark lager.
While the drink has become a hit overseas, however, it may not currently be available at every bar in the United States. Therefore, Carving a Journey shares a way to make this popular cocktail at home. All that's needed is soju, which can be purchased online, and a light beer. The blogger specifically recommends using Hite or Cass beer, which are popular types of beer in South Korea, but any type of mild lager will also work. They also advise using a ratio of 70% beer and 30% soju. Though soju is often packed with fruity flavor, it also contains 24% alcohol per serving, making it very strong, according to The Los Angeles Times.
After combining these two ingredients, your cocktail is ready to be enjoyed. Geonbae (cheers)!