TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Korean Beverage Types
Also known as Korean cinnamon punch, sujeonggwa is a popular traditional dessert drink consumed during the Korean festive holidays alongside with sikye (sweet rice drink). It is known to aid indigestion which is why it’s often served with a large meal.
It's made from water, dried persimmon, and cinnamon and has a dark brown color with a sweet and spicy aroma coming from the ginger and can be served both hot or cold. The earliest mention of this drink dates back to 1849 in the book Dongguksesigi by Hong Seok Mo (a book of seasonal customs), and it describes a drink made from the dried persimmon brew with added ginger and pine nuts.
Maesil-ju is a traditional liqueur made with small-sized Asian plums (Prunus mume). Either unripe green or ripe yellow fruits can be used, sometimes even a mixture of both varieties. The drink is traditionally produced by steeping the fruit, together with sugar, in soju – traditional Korean spirit usually distilled from rice.
The combination is macerated for at least several weeks until the beverage attains its distinctive golden color and bitter-sweet flavor. The fruit is usually strained, though several plums can be left inside jars or bottles. Maesil-ju is traditionally enjoyed neat, served in small shot glasses.
Makgeolli is the oldest Korean rice wine that dates back to the 10th century. It is usually made from rice which is fermented with nuruk—traditional Korean starter. The fermentation process produces a lightly fizzy drink with a typical milky appearance and a slightly sweet flavor.
Makgeolli was the most popular Korean drink until the 1980s when it was largely overshadowed by imports, and it gained the status of a farmer’s drink (nongju). However, in the last decade, the drink has seen an increase in popularity, and it can be found in many South Korean bars.
VARIATIONS OF Makgeolli
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Mugicha is a Japanese name for barley tea—an infusion made by steeping roasted barley grains in hot or cold water. Technically, barley tea is a tisane, and nowadays, it is often made by using teabags consisting of roasted and ground barley.
The drink has ancient origins and is enjoyed in many Asian countries. When brewed, barley tea has a light brown color and a savor, nutty and earthy flavor. It can be sweetened to preference, while the chilled, summer version is often served over ice.
Yuja-cha is a Korean citrus infusion that is mostly enjoyed during winter. It is made with yuya—a lemon-like citrus fruit native to China that was brought to South Korea during Tang dynasty. The tea can be prepared by mixing fresh sliced fruit with sugar and then combining it with warm water.
The other way is to make a fruit preserve (yuja-cheong), which usually consists of sliced yuya, honey or sugar, and water. The tea is then prepared by dissolving the preserve in water. This warming tea should be enjoyed warm and is often claimed to be a soothing health remedy.
Dalgona is a frothy whipped coffee that is served on top of milk. Although it became internationally known as a South Korean beverage, similar versions are common in other Asian countries. The basic version of this coffee is made with equal parts of instant coffee, sugar, and water.
The combination is then whipped until it achieves caramel-like color and foamy texture. It is then traditionally ladled on top of milk. In South Korea, the drink was introduced by an actor Jung Il-woo who first had it in Macau. The flavor and the appearance reminded him of a popular Korean street snack, named dalgona, which is made with melted sugar and baking soda.
Omija-cha is a Korean infusion made with omija—five-flavor berry. Also known as schisandra or magnolia berry, these small red berries are dried before they are used to make omija tea. The berries can be boiled in hot water, which will bring out bitter flavors, but traditionally they are merely steeped in cold water.
The tea is usually sweetened with sugar and honey, and it can be enjoyed warm or cold. The berries will give the drink its distinctive red hue, and they will also provide five omija flavors—hence the name of the fruit—which include saltiness, sweetness, sourness, bitterness, and pungency.
Baekseju is a clear, herb-flavored Korean rice wine made with fermented glutinous rice. Ginseng is the dominant flavor, while the combination usually includes a blend of herbs and spices such as ginger, omija (Schisandra chinensis), goji berries, or cinnamon.
It is a subtly sweet drink with a distinctive herbaceous character, usually bottled at 13% ABV. Although the first written mention of baekseju dates back to the 17th century, in 1992, Kooksoondang introduced the first modern interpretation of the drink.
Cheongju is a variety of South Korean rice wine that is made from fermented polished rice. It is then filtered to produce a clear, crisp drink with a subtly sweet flavor. Cheongju is an ancient beverage that was once enjoyed on the royal court, and it is still often used a ceremonial or a welcome drink.
It is also commonly employed in cooking, primarily in marinades and various sauces.
VARIATIONS OF Cheongju Rice Wine
Although it is usually called ginger tea, this ginger-based drink is better described as a ginger infusion. It can be made by simmering sliced ginger in hot water, but in South Korea (saenggang-cha) and Japan (shōgayu), it is often prepared with a mixture of honey and grated ginger.
The combination is stored, and it is then just mixed with water. Some variations will also include lemon or starch. The drink is commonly enjoyed as a health remedy, and it can either be made as a hot or cold beverage. Ginger tea comes in numerous variations that are found in various Asian countries.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Korean Beverage Producers
AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2024

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Silver
2024
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SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
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SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
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World Gin Awards - Country Winner
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World Beer Awards - Gold
2023

World Beer Awards - Country Winner
2023

World Beer Awards - World’s Best Stout & Porter
2022
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IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
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IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Korean Beverages
AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2024
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
AWARDS

European Beer Star - Gold
2022
AWARDS

World Beer Awards - Gold
2023
AWARDS

World Gin Awards - Country Winner
2024
AWARDS

World Beer Awards - Gold
2023

World Beer Awards - Country Winner
2023

World Beer Awards - World’s Best Stout & Porter
2022
AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2021
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