Korean Convenience Store Cocktails: 8 Easy Soju Drink Recipes
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Korea has no shortage of places to grab a drink. There are bars, pubs, and restaurants practically everywhere, but apparently, you don't even need a bartender to make yourself a cocktail anymore. You just need a convenience store, a cup of ice, and a little creativity.
Lately, I've been seeing all kinds of Korean convenience-store drink combinations on Instagram. People mix bottled juices, sodas, and energy drinks to create colorful drinks that look like something you'd order at a café. Some are surprisingly elaborate, while others involve pouring two bottles into a cup and calling it a day.
Then I came across a Korean creator walking through a traditional market, or sijang (시장), with a large cup of ice and soju, stopping to enjoy different street foods along the way. I thought it was an interesting take on the trend, although drinking alcohol in public isn't permitted everywhere.
That got me thinking about an alcoholic version of the convenience-store drinks I've been seeing online.
In Korea, convenience stores like CU, GS25, and 7-Eleven carry everything from flavored soju and beer to fruit juices, sparkling sodas, and yogurt drinks. You can put together a surprisingly good cocktail without buying a dozen different ingredients.
Here are eight easy combinations to try, including a few Korean classics and some creative variations.
1. Soju + Chilsung Cider
The simple, sparkling classic
What to buy
Plain soju
Chilsung Cider (칠성사이다)
Cup of ice
Mixing ratio: 1 part soju : 2.5 parts cider
How to make it
Fill your cup with ice. Add 60 ml of soju, followed by 150 ml of Chilsung Cider. Stir gently.
What it tastes like
Sweet, fizzy, and lightly citrusy. Chilsung Cider is actually a Korean lemon-lime soda, not alcoholic cider. It's one of the easiest mixers to find in Korea.
2. Peach Soju Iced Tea
A fruity, refreshing cocktail
What to buy
Peach-flavored soju
Cup of ice
Mixing ratio: 1 part soju : 2 parts peach tea : 1 part sparkling water
How to make it
Pour 60 ml of peach soju and 120 ml of peach iced tea over ice. Add 60 ml of sparkling water and stir.
What it tastes like
Sweet, peachy, and slightly bubbly. The sparkling water balances the sweetness, making it taste more refreshing than straight peach iced tea.
3. Grapefruit Soju Spritz
For people who prefer something less sweet
What to buy
Plain soju
Cup of ice
Mixing ratio: 2 parts soju : 3 parts grapefruit juice : 3 parts sparkling water
How to make it
Add 60 ml of soju and 90 ml of grapefruit juice to a cup filled with ice. Top with 90 ml of sparkling water.
What it tastes like
Citrusy, tart, and slightly bitter. This one feels a little closer to a traditional cocktail, especially if you prefer drinks that aren't overly sugary.
4. Soju + Milkis
The creamy, fizzy combination
What to buy
Plain soju
Milkis (밀키스)
Cup of ice
Mixing ratio: 1 part soju : 2.5 parts Milkis
How to make it
Fill a cup with ice, pour in 60 ml of soju, and add 150 ml of Milkis. Stir gently.
What it tastes like
Sweet, creamy, and bubbly. If you've never tried Milkis, it's a Korean carbonated drink with a milky flavor. It sounds strange, but it's surprisingly refreshing.
5. Soju + Bong Bong Grape
The sweet grape cocktail
What to buy
Plain soju
Bong Bong grape drink (봉봉) (similar product)
Cup of ice
Mixing ratio: 1 part soju : 2.5 parts Bong Bong
How to make it
Pour 60 ml of soju over ice, followed by 150 ml of Bong Bong. Stir gently to keep the grape pieces intact.
What it tastes like
Sweet, fruity, and full of grape flavor. Bong Bong contains actual peeled grapes, which makes this drink a little more fun than an ordinary juice cocktail.
If it's too sweet, add a splash of sparkling water.
6. Yakult Soju Cocktail
The Korean yogurt-soju favorite
What to buy
Plain soju
Yakult (야쿠르트)
Cup of ice
Mixing ratio: Approximately 1 part soju : 1 part Yakult : 2 parts cider
How to make it
Add 60 ml of soju and one small 65 ml bottle of Yakult to a cup of ice. Pour in 120 ml of Chilsung Cider and stir.
What it tastes like
Sweet, tangy, creamy, and fizzy.
This is inspired by yogurt soju, a familiar Korean mixed drink. The combination of yogurt drink and lemon-lime soda helps soften soju's sharpness.
7. Somaek (소맥)
The Korean drinking-table classic
What to buy
Plain soju
Korean lager, such as Cass or Terra
A chilled glass
Mixing ratio: 1 part soju : 3 parts beer
How to make it
Pour 45 ml of soju into a glass, followed by 135 ml of cold beer. Stir gently.
What it tastes like
Crisp, malty, and stronger than beer alone.
Somaek gets its name from soju (소주) and maekju (맥주), the Korean word for beer. It's a familiar sight at Korean barbecue restaurants and group dinners.
Everyone seems to have an opinion about the perfect ratio, but 1:3 is an easy place to start.
8. Lemon Soju Sparkler
The easy citrus cocktail
What to buy
Plain soju
Cup of ice
Mixing ratio: 2 parts soju : 3 parts lemonade : 3 parts sparkling water
How to make it
Pour 60 ml of soju and 90 ml of lemonade over ice. Add 90 ml of sparkling water and stir.
What it tastes like
Bright, lemony, and refreshing. The lemonade adds sweetness and acidity, while the sparkling water keeps it from becoming too heavy.
A Few Tips Before You Start Mixing
One of the best things about Korean convenience stores is the ready-to-use ice cups. You can usually find them in the freezer section, sometimes in several sizes.
For these recipes, a large cup works best, especially if you're combining three ingredients. Check the cup's capacity before pouring.
Keep in mind that flavored soju and plain soju can have different alcohol percentages. Adding juice or soda makes a cocktail taste milder, but it doesn't remove the alcohol. The measurements above are starting points, not an invitation to keep adding soju.
Also, while you might see people drinking on the street or in traditional markets on Instagram, some locations restrict public drinking. It's worth checking the rules before taking your cocktail outside.
The Convenience Store Cocktail Bar
There's something entertaining about turning ordinary convenience-store drinks into homemade cocktails. No fancy equipment, no complicated ingredients, and no need to buy a whole bottle of something you'll use once.
Some of these combinations are already familiar in Korea, like somaek and yogurt soju. Others are simple experiments using drinks you can find in almost any convenience store.
And I think that's what makes this trend fun. You can try something new without spending much, and if a combination sounds a little strange, well, that's half the appeal.
If you'd rather skip the alcohol, check out our [Korean Convenience Store Drink Combinations: Non-Alcoholic Edition] for banana milk lattes, sparkling fruit drinks, and other easy DIY recipes.
For adults of legal drinking age. Drink responsibly, and never drink and drive. The recipes include both established Korean mixed drinks and suggested combinations.
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