Korean Soju Beer Mix (Soju Lager Lemon Highball)

Name: Korean Soju Beer Mix (Soju Lager Lemon Highball)
Prep time: 5 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients: soju 120 ml; lager beer 360 ml; ice 8 pcs; lemon slices 2 pcs; lemon juice 1 tbsp; sparkling water 60 ml

A 1:3 soju-to-beer ratio is a reliable baseline, here 120 ml soju to 360 ml lager beer, both chilled for at least 3 hours, with the glass in the refrigerator too. Pour 1 tbsp lemon juice and then the soju over the ice without stirring, and run the beer slowly down the inside wall of the glass. Lift a long spoon once from the bottom to the top, which mixes the drink without knocking out the bubbles.

Quick answer

Active time: 5 min
Waiting: See the steps
Level: Easy
Servings: 2 servings
Ingredients: 6

About this dish

Somaek, short for soju plus maekju (beer), started as a bomb-shot habit at Korean drinking tables, and this version tidies it into something closer to a highball with ice, lemon juice, and a lemon slice.

At one part soju to three parts lager, beer still carries most of the flavor while soju adds strength. A splash of soda water lowers the alcohol and sharpens the fizz.

Ingredients

servings

IngredientAmount

ice8 pcs

lemon slices2 pcs

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Instructions

6 steps

1

Chill 120ml soju, 360ml lager beer, and 60ml sparkling water for at least 3 hours.

Place the serving glass in the refrigerator too, so the drink stays crisp instead of turning watery as soon as it is mixed.
2

Fill a tall glass with 8 ice pieces and let it stand for about 20 seconds, until the glass feels very cold.

If much meltwater collects at the bottom, pour it out before adding the alcohol.
3

Pour 1 tablespoon lemon juice evenly over the ice, then add 120ml soju.

Do not stir yet, because leaving the layers still keeps the citrus aroma clean and prevents the drink from going flat early.
4

Pour 360ml lager beer slowly down the inside wall of the glass.

If the foam rises higher than about one finger, pause briefly before continuing so the carbonation stays lively without overflowing.
5

Add 60ml sparkling water at the end if a lighter drink is preferred.

Use a long spoon to lift once from the bottom to the top, mixing just enough without knocking out the bubbles.
6

Float 2 lemon slices on top or set them on the rim.

Serve immediately while the foam is fine, the glass is still cold, and the bubbles are visible through the drink.