Somaek

Somaek is icy, fizzy, and dangerously easy to drink, blending the clean kick of soju with the refreshing bitterness of lager. The result is lighter than straight soju but stronger and more spirited than beer alone.

Safety Warning

This recipe contains a significant amount of alcohol. Consume responsibly, do not serve to minors, and avoid driving or operating machinery after drinking.

Nutrition · per serving

198kcal

1.9gProtein

15.1gCarbs

0gFat

0gFiber

2 servings

Ingredients

3 items

Drinks

chilled soju120 ml

chilled lager beer500 ml

To serve

ice cubes8 cubes

Tips

•A common ratio is 1 part soju to 4-5 parts beer; this version is balanced and easy to drink.
•Use a clean, crisp Korean-style lager or any light pale lager with low bitterness.
•For the smoothest texture, chill both bottles well before mixing rather than relying only on ice.
•Because alcohol brands vary, calorie values are estimates.

Steps

1
Chill 2 beer glasses and 2 small shot glasses if possible. Cold glassware keeps the drink lively and helps the foam stay tight.
2
Divide the ice cubes between the 2 beer glasses if you want an extra-cold, lighter-drinking version. In Korea, somaek is often served without ice, but ice works well for a beginner-friendly home serve.
8 cubes ice cubes
3
Pour 250 ml chilled lager beer into each beer glass, leaving enough headspace so the drink will not overflow when the soju is added.
500 ml chilled lager beer
4
Pour 60 ml chilled soju into each shot glass. For the classic bar style, drop each shot into a glass of beer and drink immediately; for a gentler mix, pour the soju directly into the beer and stir once with a chopstick or spoon.
120 ml chilled soju
5
Serve at once while fully cold and bubbly. Drink responsibly.

Origin & History

Somaek is a Korean drinking staple made by combining soju and maekju, the Korean word for beer. It became especially popular in casual bars, late-night eateries, and company dinners, where playful mixing rituals and toasts are part of the social experience.

korean drink soju beer beginner bar classic

Do even more with Gourmate

Cook this recipe in Gourmate — your AI meal planning app.

Plan Meals

Weekly planner at a tap

Ask Questions

Chat with your AI chef

Adjust Recipe

Scale servings & swap ingredients

Cook Mode

Step-by-step guidance

Kitchen Timers

Built-in timers & alerts

Grocery List

Auto-generated shopping lists

Open in App Download Gourmate

Steps

Chill 2 beer glasses and 2 small shot glasses if possible. Cold glassware keeps the drink lively and helps the foam stay tight.

Divide the ice cubes between the 2 beer glasses if you want an extra-cold, lighter-drinking version. In Korea, somaek is often served without ice, but ice works well for a beginner-friendly home serve.

8 cubes ice cubes

Pour 250 ml chilled lager beer into each beer glass, leaving enough headspace so the drink will not overflow when the soju is added.

500 ml chilled lager beer

Pour 60 ml chilled soju into each shot glass. For the classic bar style, drop each shot into a glass of beer and drink immediately; for a gentler mix, pour the soju directly into the beer and stir once with a chopstick or spoon.

120 ml chilled soju

Serve at once while fully cold and bubbly. Drink responsibly.