Soju Recipe

Make simple syrup

Combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium, stirring until the sugar fully dissolves and the mixture simmers once. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Transfer to a clean jar and refrigerate. Keeps 2–3 weeks.

Prepare glass

Fill a highball or Collins glass with ice (about 1 cup). Chilling the glass briefly is optional but recommended.

Build the drink

In a cocktail shaker or mixing glass filled with ice, pour 3 oz of soju, 0.5 oz fresh lime juice, and 0.5 oz simple syrup. If using a variation (cucumber, mint, or flavored syrup), add those now: muddle cucumber or mint gently with the syrup and lime in the shaker to release aroma and flavor.

Shake or stir

If you muddled fresh ingredients, give the mixture a gentle shake (8–10 seconds) to chill and integrate. If no fresh ingredients were muddled, stirring with ice for 10–15 seconds is sufficient.

Top with soda and garnish

Strain the mixture into the prepared glass over ice. Top with approximately 2 oz club soda (adjust to taste). Gently stir once to combine. Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge; if using cucumber or mint variation, add a cucumber ribbon or a mint sprig.

Serve

Serve immediately while cold. Encourage sipping slowly to appreciate soju's subtle profile. Adjust simple syrup or soda to taste for sweetness and dilution.

Soju typically has a lower ABV than many spirits (16–25%). Use a quality neutral/plain soju for cocktails; flavored sojus can be used but may require less simple syrup. Simple syrup quantity can be adjusted (0–0.75 oz) depending on sweetness preference. For a larger batch, scale ingredients linearly (e.g., multiply by number of servings). If you prefer a very light drink, reduce soju to 2 oz and increase soda to 3–4 oz.