Flavoured soju now accounts for roughly 48% of Korea’s soju export value. For most American drinkers it is the way in. Here is what each of the common flavours actually tastes like.
Green grape
The most popular first bottle, and the safest recommendation. Tart rather than candied, with a clean finish. If you are buying one bottle for a table of people who have never had soju, buy this one.
Peach
Softer and rounder than green grape, closer to a peach iced tea in character. Very easy to drink, which is worth remembering — it is still alcohol.
Grape
Sweeter and more purple-candy than green grape. Polarising. Some people love it; others find it too close to grape soda.
Strawberry
Sweet and unmistakably strawberry. Works well mixed with sparkling water rather than drunk neat.
Yogurt
Creamy and tangy, modelled on Korean drinkable yogurt. Strange on paper, genuinely good with spicy food. Often mixed rather than served straight.
Plum
The most “grown-up” of the flavoured range: sweet-tart, with a slight bitterness that keeps it from being cloying. Pairs unusually well with grilled meat.
How to serve it
Cold, and preferably over the course of a meal. Fruit soju also mixes well — half fruit soju, half soda water, over ice, is a better drink than most bottled hard seltzers and costs less.
Next: soju cocktails