America’s Distillers Are Embracing a Drink With Deep Korean Roots

Soju distilleries have exploded across America in the last few years, producing a range of quality options for every palate — low- and high-proof sojus that are good for solo sipping, ready-to-drink (RTD) canned cocktails akin to hard seltzers, and flavored sojus somewhere in between.

Whiskey drinkers can find the smoky, oaky notes they crave from bourbon in barrel-aged sojus, while traditional clear sojus are a great neutral base for home bartenders to play with.

“By introducing high-end products, you’re opening up the market,” says Andy Han, who specializes in soju cocktails at the Michelin-starred Atlanta restaurant Lazy Betty.

For soju newcomers or those seeking the ritual of a cocktail with less alcohol and fuss, pre-mixed soju cocktails offer a refreshing blend of fresh fruit juice and premium soju at around 7% to 8% ABV.

“It’s easy to drink, and the ABV is still on the lower end. But you’re also having a cultural experience by drinking soju,” says Grace Choi, founder of RTD soju cocktail brand JUMO. 

Though JUMO is packaged like beer or seltzer, ready to consume from the can, Choi says the proper way to drink it is in a cup, preferably over ice.

“Non-Korean drinkers who drink soju think that, because of the low ABV, it’s something that they should just drink from the bottle like beer. For Koreans, we have to pour it into a glass, ideally a soju glass.”

Sparkling Soju

JUMO

The name JUMO comes from the moniker for female bar owners during the Joseon Dynasty in Korea. JUMO uses real fruit juices, zero added sugars, and premium soju distilled in the U.S. to create refreshing canned cocktails. It’s hard to choose between JUMO’s three unique East-meets-West flavors, but Peach-Lychee-Rose is a must-try. The 8% ABV and thoughtful botanicals take it beyond standard hard seltzers into the realm of low-ABV canned cocktails, best enjoyed over ice.

Hello Soju

California distillery Hello Soju is kind of like the Absolut Vodka of the soju boom — it has a younger target audience, a large variety of products, and a spirit that goes down smooth. The company offers a signature gluten-free bottle crafted in small batches with California non-GMO rice, as well as 7% ABV sparkling sojus in peach, Asian pear, lemon yuzu, lychee, and green grape.

Straight Soju

Tokki Soju

Whiskey lovers, this is the soju for you. Groundbreaking brand Tokki Soju was the first soju distillery to open in America in 2016 and has garnered awards in the U.S. as well as Korea. All Tokki bottles are fermented using traditional Korean techniques, including Korean glutinous rice (chapssal) and the traditional Korean fermentation starter nuruk. The company then barrel-ages its Gold Label (46% ABV) and Garnet Label (46% ABV), resulting in oaky, smoky notes akin to bourbon. This high-ABV soju is a great substitute for whiskey in cocktails or for sipping slowly on the rocks.

Minhwa Spirits

Atlanta distillery Minhwa Spirits uses Arkansas rice, Georgia spring water, and family makgeolli (Korean rice wine) brewing techniques passed down through generations. Vegetal, almost nutty caramel notes shine through in both its lower- and higher-ABV offerings. The smooth, crisp 17% ABV Dokkaebi pairs well with spicy, savory foods, while the 40% ABV Yong is a funkier option that works well in cocktails.

Khee

Created in collaboration with Korean premium soju brand Hwayo, Khee uses 100% rice and natural rock water collected from deep underground reservoirs. The company uses a vacuum distillation process that lowers still pressure and allows the spirit to boil at a lower temperature, reducing burnt flavors for an exceptionally clean-tasting spirit. Khee comes in 38% ABV and 22% ABV expressions; the lower-ABV bottling leans toward silky floral notes and works well in gin-based cocktails, while the higher-ABV version offers complex mineral notes.

Flavored Soju

KTOWN Flavored Soju by Yobo

Yobo’s KTOWN Flavored Soju comes in flask-shaped bottles designed for friends to pass around in a nostalgic nod to late-night college gatherings, but without the sugary hangover. The 18% ABV soju blends Yobo’s signature craft soju, distilled from American grains with real fruit juice and zero artificial additives — ideal for adults who want to take shots and still be up in time for morning meetings.

Yoju Yogurt Soju

Yakult (Korean yogurt drink) mixed with soju is a tried-and-true Korean bar classic that many Americans who grew up on Go-Gurt will enjoy. Made with real fruit and yogurt, Yoju’s 7% ABV canned drinks are perfect for cooling your palate after a bite of spicy kimchi or barbecue.

OORO Soju by Sool

Originally a makgeolli producer, Sool took it one step further and began distilling soju with the same meticulous attention to detail. OORO Soju comes in three different ABVs — all of which are delicious — but its sesame-infused soju is a standout. Nutty, subtle, slightly savory, and just sweet enough, the 24% ABV offering is perfect on its own or in creative cocktails, such as a sesame-smoked Old Fashioned.