Korean Soju Tonic (Soju Lime Cucumber Highball)
Quick answer
- Total time
- 5 min
- Level
- Easy
- Servings
- 2 servings
- Ingredients
- 6
About this dish
Soju tonic is a Korean highball-style drink that pairs soju with tonic water and lime, layering the spirit's clean, neutral body with the bitter quinine edge of tonic and the bright acidity of fresh citrus.
Read more
Lime juice goes in first along with soju and a touch of simple syrup, and the tonic water is poured last and slowly to keep the carbonation intact as long as possible. Cucumber slices over ice add a vegetal freshness that makes the drink especially cooling in hot weather, and omitting the syrup produces a drier version with more pronounced bitterness. The lightweight character of soju makes this highball less heavy than gin or vodka equivalents, pairing well with rich, oily bar food.
Ingredients
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Instructions
Read the steps as a cooking flow: prep, heat, seasoning, doneness control, and finish.
- 1Finish
Wash 1 lime well and cut it in half.
Juice one half and remove any seeds, then cut the remaining half into 6 wedges so the garnish is ready before the drink is mixed.
- 2Prep
Add about 10 firm ice cubes to the glass first.
Press 6 cucumber slices against the inside wall of the glass so their fresh aroma can slowly infuse around the ice.
- 3Step
Pour 120ml soju, the lime juice, and 1tbsp simple syrup over the ice in that order.
For a drier drink with stronger tonic bitterness, leave out the syrup rather than reducing the tonic.
- 4Prep
Stir gently from the bottom with a bar spoon for about 5 seconds.
Stop as soon as the soju, lime, and syrup are combined, because over-stirring melts the ice and weakens the drink.
- 5Step
Pour 300ml chilled tonic water slowly down the inside wall of the glass.
If the foam rises quickly, pause briefly before continuing so the carbonation stays in the drink.
- 6Finish
Give the drink one final gentle lift with the spoon, then add the lime wedges on the rim or surface.
Serve immediately while the ice is still firm and the bubbles are active.
Practical Cooking Checks
The cues that matter most while cooking.
- Key technique
- Soju-tonic layers clean spirit with bitter quinine and lime juice for a crisp, highball-style beverage.
- Finish cue
- Give the drink one final gentle lift with the spoon, then add the lime wedges on the rim or surface.
How Substitutions Change the Result
The taste, texture, nutrition, or cooking adjustment to expect when swapping an ingredient.
- Use rosemary instead of cucumber for a more herbal aroma.
Cooking decision evidence
Calculated Charim data and applicable official cooking and food safety guidance.
This recipe
5min, 6 ingredients
Category median
20min, 6 ingredients
Based on 118 recipes
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