Soju Yakult

The Soju Yakult is an incredibly popular and simple Korean mixed drink, beloved for its sweet, tangy, and refreshingly creamy flavor. It combines the clean taste of soju, a clear distilled spirit, with the unique citrusy and lactic taste of Yakult, a probiotic milk beverage. Often mixed with a lemon-lime soda for fizziness, it's a go-to drink for social gatherings in Korea due to its easy-drinking nature and simple preparation. Its low alcohol content and pleasant taste make it accessible to a wide audience.
Soju Yakult

Preparation

Preparation time: 2 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Soju Yakult is best classified as a contemporary cocktail. It is a simple mixed drink, popular in modern social settings rather than being a classic recipe from a specific era. Its widespread popularity in Korean culture also places it in the category of regional specialties.

Serving

Served cold with ice in a small tumbler or highball glass, this is a light and refreshing drink with a relatively low alcohol content.
Serving size
Approximately 200-250 ml / 7-8.5 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 5-8% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Small tumbler
Glass treatment
None

Backstory

While there's no single origin story, the Soju Yakult gained immense popularity in South Korea in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. It became a staple among university students and young adults as an easy, inexpensive, and tasty way to enjoy soju. The combination reflects a cultural trend of mixing soju with various juices and sodas to make it more palatable. It remains a fixture in bars, restaurants, and home gatherings across the country.
Origin
South Korea, late 20th century.

Soju Yakult

Known as 'Soju Yakureuteu' (소주 야쿠르트) in Korea, this simple mix is also commonly called Yakult Soju or Soju Yogurt. These names all refer to the same popular combination of Korean soju and the sweet probiotic milk drink, Yakult. The terms are used interchangeably to describe this beloved beverage.
Original name
소주 야쿠르트
Alternative names
  • Yakult Soju
  • Soju Yogurt

Characteristics overview

The drink has a unique sweet and tangy flavor profile with a creamy texture, often with light fizziness from soda. Its milky, opaque appearance and refreshing character make it enjoyable year-round.
Flavor
Sweet, Tangy, Lactic, Citrusy, Creamy
Aroma
Lactic, Sweet, hint of citrus, clean alcohol
Taste balance
Sweet, Sour
Aftertaste
Short, Clean, Sweet
Fizziness
Lightly fizzy
Color appearance
Opaque, Milky white, Pale beige
Texture
Smooth, Lightly creamy, Thin
Seasonality
Refreshing, All-season

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is predominantly sweet and sour from the Yakult and soda, with a very mild alcohol presence. The carbonation adds a light, refreshing lift to the creamy texture.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You'll need three simple ingredients: Korean soju, a small bottle of Yakult, and some lemon-lime soda for a bit of fizz and extra sweetness.
  • Soju60 ml / 2 oz
    Any plain, unflavored soju works well. Popular brands include Chum-Churum or Jinro.
  • Yakult65 ml / 2.2 oz (1 small bottle)
    Or a similar lactic acid bacteria drink. The original Yakult brand is classic for this recipe.
  • Lemon-Lime Soda60 ml / 2 oz
    Such as Sprite, 7 Up, or the Korean brand Chilsung Cider.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

No special equipment is needed for this simple cocktail. The drink is built and stirred directly in the serving glass.
  • Glass for building the drink
  • Spoon or stirrer for mixing

Instructions

Simply build the drink over ice in a glass by adding soju, Yakult, and soda. Give it a quick, gentle stir before serving to mix everything together.
1. Fill a small tumbler or highball glass with ice cubes.
2. Pour in the soju over the ice.
3. Add the entire contents of one small bottle of Yakult.
4. Top the drink with the lemon-lime soda.
5. Stir gently with a spoon or stirrer to combine all the ingredients.
6. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Garnishing

This simple and casual drink is traditionally served without any garnish, emphasizing its easy-going nature.
  • None. This drink is typically served without a garnish.

Dietary Information

This drink is vegetarian and typically gluten-free, but it is not vegan or dairy-free due to the milk in Yakult. It is free from caffeine, eggs, soy, and nuts.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✕ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a moderately caloric drink due to the sugar from Yakult and soda, with around 150-180 kcal per serving. The carbohydrate and sugar content is relatively high for a cocktail.
Calories
Averagely 150-180 kcal / 628-753 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 15-20 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 14-18 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This drink is perfect for casual social gatherings, parties, and dinners with friends. Its light and easy-drinking nature makes it a great choice for a relaxed evening or as an accompaniment to Korean BBQ.
  • Social Gatherings
  • Casual Drinking
  • Parties
  • Dinner with Friends

Pairing suggestions

The Soju Yakult pairs exceptionally well with the rich, savory flavors of Korean BBQ. Its sweetness and creaminess also help to balance the heat of spicy Korean dishes like Tteokbokki or spicy fried chicken. It is also a great companion to simple salty snacks during a casual get-together.
  • Korean BBQ
  • Spicy Korean food (like Tteokbokki or Korean Fried Chicken)
  • Salty snacks

Soju Yakult: The Sweet and Creamy Korean Favorite

The Soju Yakult is a delightfully simple and popular Korean cocktail known for its sweet, tangy flavor and creamy texture. Made with just soju, Yakult, and a splash of lemon-lime soda, it's an incredibly easy-to-make and easy-to-drink beverage. Perfect for social gatherings, it's a refreshing and accessible drink that offers a taste of modern Korean drinking culture. Its low alcohol content and pleasant taste make it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

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