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In South Korea, the two most popular alcoholic beverages are soju and beer. This is why the smooth and delicious beer cocktail known as “somaek” has gained immense popularity, creating a perfect combination of both.
The somaek cocktail has become one of the most popular drinks in South Korea and has developed an entire drinking culture around it.
In this article, we will delve into how to make a great somaek, explore food pairings, and share some tips about Korean drinking culture.
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What is Somaek?
In South Korea, somaek (소맥) refers to a cocktail made by mixing soju and beer. The word itself is a syllabic abbreviation of the terms for the distilled spirit, “soju” (소주), and beer, “maekju” (맥주).
For those new to Korean food and drink culture, soju is a traditional liquor often made from rice, tapioca, or sweet potatoes.
While the ratios for preparing somaek can vary drastically depending on personal preference, most people agree that the “golden ratio” for somaek is 3:7, meaning 30% soju mixed with 70% beer.
What Type of Beer Should You Use to Make Somaek?
Generally, not all beers are suitable for making an authentic Korean somaek. You should avoid strong or deeply flavored beers and instead opt for light, clear beers like American Lager.
Specifically, the two most popular beer varieties in South Korea for making somaek are Hite and Cass.
If you prefer gluten-free products, you can use a sorghum-based beer, which has a similar light and refreshing flavor with adequate effervescence.
Lastly, if you cannot find gluten-free beer, try making somaek with a carbonated dry cider.
Somaek Food Pairings
In South Korea, people almost always pair their meals with a drink. This is why bars and restaurants often offer what is known as “anju” (안주), the Korean word for food recommended to pair with alcohol.
Some common and recommended “anju somaek” pairings include:
- Dried squid
- Seasoned nuts
- Fried chicken
- Tteokbokki
- French fries
- Korean barbecue
Generally, people in South Korea prefer to consume spicy and greasy foods with somaek.
How to Make Somaek
There is an entire culture surrounding the consumption of somaek. Below, we list some ways you can enjoy this Korean soju and beer cocktail.
1. Classic Somaek
The classic somaek is a mix of soju and beer, often served in a special glass that indicates common ratios, such as the “golden ratio” of 3:7, the “light” version with a 1:9 ratio, and the “blackout” somaek with a 5:5 ratio.
Ingredients
- Soju
- Light lager beer
Preparation
- Fill a tall glass with soju up to 30% of its capacity.
- Carefully pour beer to fill the glass.
2. Somaekcol
Somaekcol is a variation of the classic somaek that incorporates cola, adding a sweet aftertaste. This version requires two additional shot glasses.
This version of somaek is also called “gojingamrae” (고진감래), a Korean idiom meaning “sweetness comes after bitterness.”
Ingredients
- Soju
- Light lager beer
- Cola
Preparation
- Fill one-third of a shot glass with cola and place it inside the somaek glass.
- Stack the second shot glass on top and fill it halfway with soju.
- Gently pour beer to fill the glass completely.
3. Soju Bomb
The soju bomb is one of the most popular variations of somaek, where a shot glass filled with soju is dropped into a glass of beer.
In Korean, the soju bomb is traditionally called “poktanju” (폭탄주), which literally translates to “explosive drink.”
Ingredients
- Soju
- Light lager beer
Preparation
- Fill the somaek glass up to 70% of its capacity with beer.
- Fill a shot glass with soju and drop it into the beer glass.
Ways to Enjoy Somaek
In Korea, serving alcohol during gatherings with friends or family is a way to showcase the host’s mixology skills and their optimal somaek combinations.
This is why many types of games and different ways to enjoy this cocktail have developed, such as the tsunami, cappuccino shot, and taekwondo shot, which aim to create various and striking effervescent effects.
1. Soju Tsunami
Prepare a classic somaek and lightly tap the sides of the glass with chopsticks or a spoon to activate the carbonation and create foam. Alternatively, place the spoon inside the glass and forcefully tap the bottom of the drink.
2. Cappuccino Shot
Pour soju into the somaek glass as usual, then open the beer bottle, place your thumb over the opening, shake vigorously, and pour directly into the glass. Some Koreans refer to this method as a “bubble shower or massage.”
3. Taekwondo Shot
Fill the somaek glass up to 70% of its capacity, then fill a shot glass with soju and balance it on top of the beer glass using two chopsticks. Finally, hit the table with your fist until the shot glass falls into the beer.
