Become your own Korean mixologist!
In South Korea, it’s a norm to sit outside a convenience store (known locally as ‘CVS’), like Family Mart or GS 25, and savor your store-bought alcohol. Koreans have gotten creative and created their own cocktails by mixing certain drinks available in a CVS. You can now savor your favourite cocktails at a fraction of the price.
Below are 11 CVS combinations you should try when you’re in SoKor!
1. Yogurt Soju (Yakult + Soju + Chilsung Cider)
Yakult is mainly known as a kids drink, but Korea has put their own spin on it. Called Yogurt Soju, this drink consist of mixing Yakult, soju and Chilsung Cider (Korea’s version of Sprite) into a easy-to-drink cocktail.
Mixture:
- 50% Chilsung Cider
- 25% Yakult
- 25% Soju
2. White Grape Beer (Beer + Bong Bong)
Embrace the newest fad in Korea – Korean beer and Bong Bong white grape juice! The sweet white grape pulps adds a refreshing texture, making your beer even more pleasant to drink. You’ll definitely get addicted to this mix!
Mixture:
- 50% Bong Bong White Grape Juice
- 50% Korean Beer
3. Hongchobulmak (Makgeolli + Blueberry Vinegar + Sikhye + Burn Energy Drink)
This drink ventures into pretty adventurous grounds!
Makgeolli (rice wine) and Sikhye (rice beverage) are two popular rice-based drinks in Korea. Usually drunk on their own, this mix combines both beverages and adds in Hongcho Blueberry Vinegar and Burn energy drink. The result is a milky blueberry cocktail that you won’t find at your regular bars.
Mixture:
- 50% Makgeolli
- 25% Hongcho Blueberry Vinegar
- 20% Burn Energy Drink
- 10% Sikhye
4. Cojinganmek (Cola + Soju + Beer)
You might have heard of the somaek (soju + beer), but here’s an upgrade not to be missed. Meet your new go-to mixture – cojinganmak! This concoction contains two different shots – soju and coke – stacked inside a cup of beer. The drink starts of with the taste of beer and soju, and ends with the refreshing sweetness of coke. Be careful – the sweetness of the coke disguises how potent this drink actually is!
Mixture:
- 10% Shot of Coke
- 10% Shot of Soju
- 90% Cup of Beer
5. Ujjujju Melony (Melona + Soju + Chilsung Cider)
For a creamy kick, you only need to combine three ingredients. Melona is a popular ice-cream in Korea that can be found in many convenient stores. Simply pour a yourself a cup of soju with cider, and stir a Melona bar in until it dissolves. The Melona keeps your soju cold and turns your drink into a hard milkshake. Melona comes in 4 different flavours: banana, honeydew, mango and strawberry. Pick your flavour and start stirring!
Mixture:
- 1 Melona Bar
- 60% Soju
- 40% Chilsung Cider
6. Red Eye (Beer + Tomato Juice)
If your head is hurting the next day from a whole night of drinking, here’s a quick drink to help with that hangover. A combination of tomato juice and beer (if you have any leftover from last night) provides a savoury saviour from your misery! Add an egg into the mix to boost your recovery.
Mixture:
- 50% Tomato Juice
- 50% Beer
- 1 Raw Egg (Optional)
7. Enerzizer (Soju + Gatorade + Hot 6)
If you need a little perk-me-up during your nightlife escapade, hop by your convenient store in Korea and stir up an Enerzizer. This combination of soju, Gatorade, and Hot 6 (Korea’s Red Bull) is sure to give you that boost to stay up all night!
Mixture:
- 20% Soju
- 40% Gatorade
- 40% Hot 6
8. Soju Coffee (Soju + Coffee)
Here’s Korea’s response to an Irish coffee! If the Enerzizer cocktail is too harsh for you, this might do the trick! A simple mixture of coffee and soju, Soju Coffee might just be your companion to last you through your day.
Mixture:
- 80% Coffee (either black or white works)
- 20% Soju
9. Chewy Jelly (Lemon Vodka + Vitamin water + Bong Bong + Fruit Cocktail)
If you’re looking for a fruity fix, look no further than Chewy Jelly! This mixture brings 4 fruit flavoured elements together while providing an alcoholic kick. You can use a flavoured vodka like KGB Vodka and mix it with your preferred flavour of Vitamin Water. Finish the combination off with a can of Bong Bong and a spoon of fruit cocktail.
Mixture:
- 50% KGB Vodka
- 25% Vitamin Water
- 25% Bong Bong White Grape Juice
- 1 Tablespoon of Fruit Cocktail
10. Korean Screwdriver (Orange Juice + Soju)
Adapted from your typical Screwdriver (orange juice + vodka), Koreans have put their spin on it by replacing the vodka with soju. You’ll be surprised by how much the taste changes because of this switch!
Mixture:
- 80% Orange Juice
- 20% Soju
11. Subak Soju (Watermelon Soju)
This drink is great for parties! Subak Soju is made from blending watermelon with soju and then using the remaining watermelon shell as a bowl to drink from. While it may take a little more effort to create, this combination is sure to impress your friends.
Mixture:
- 1 Watermelon
- 1 Bottle of Soju
- 1 Cup of Ice
Get your drink on!
With this list, you can now impress your friends with your creative cocktail mixtures!
