Recipes
Drinks & cocktails · Korean home cooking

Pear and ginger makgeolli

A gentle, lightly spiced Korean rice-wine cocktail made with pear juice and fresh ginger. Stirred in the glass for a simple two-minute finish.

5 min2 servings3 stepsDifficulty: Easy
Pear and ginger makgeolli

AI-generated cooking illustrations. Follow the written quantities and instructions.

01 / Before you start

Ingredients

2 servings

Get your ingredients ready
Get your ingredients ready

Everyday kitchen measurements

For 2 servings. Use a small 180 ml paper cup, a level eating spoon (about 15 ml) and a small teaspoon (about 5 ml).

How to fill the cup and spoons

Use the same cup and spoons throughout. Their sizes vary, so these amounts are approximate. Spoon flour in loosely and level the top without pressing. Measure vegetables after chopping, without packing them down. The amounts in g/ml are the original reference quantities. For part of a pack, use the specified pack weight and divide the contents evenly.

King Arthur Baking

Essential, optional and substitute ingredients

Keep essential ingredients. For a replacement, use its listed amount and cooking changes instead of that ingredient’s original amount. Skip optional ingredients and their preparation if omitted. Photos show the original recipe.

  • Essential

    Use plain makgeolli and keep it chilled; sweetness and fizz vary by brand.

  • Substitute available

    If Unsweetened pear juice — 1/2 paper cup (90 ml) is unavailable

    If pear juice is unavailable, use unsweetened apple juice in the same amount; the flavor will change.

  • Substitute available

    If Fresh ginger — 1 small slice, about 1 teaspoon finely grated is unavailable

    Use 1/4 small teaspoon ground ginger if fresh ginger is unavailable; use less because it tastes stronger.

  • Optional

    Omit if the juice and makgeolli are already sweet.

  • Optional

    Chill the glasses and juice instead if ice is unavailable.

Tap each ingredient as you prepare it. Check product labels for egg, soy, sesame, wheat, fish or shellfish where relevant.

02 / You’re ready to cook

Step-by-step cooking

  1. Step 1

    Step 1: Wash, peel and finely grate 1 teaspoon (5 ml) fresh ginger. Divide it between two clean glasses. If using ground ginger, use just a small pinch in each glass.

    Wash, peel and finely grate 1 teaspoon (5 ml) fresh ginger. Divide it between two clean glasses. If using ground ginger, use just a small pinch in each glass.

  2. Step 2

    Step 2: Pour 1/4 paper cup (45 ml) unsweetened pear juice into each glass and stir to distribute the ginger. Add 1/2 paper cup (90 ml) cold makgeolli to each; stir slowly without making it foam.

    Pour 1/4 paper cup (45 ml) unsweetened pear juice into each glass and stir to distribute the ginger. Add 1/2 paper cup (90 ml) cold makgeolli to each; stir slowly without making it foam.

  3. Step 3

    Step 3: Taste. Add a little honey only if needed, then add ice if using. Serve immediately and refrigerate the remaining makgeolli according to its label.

    Taste. Add a little honey only if needed, then add ice if using. Serve immediately and refrigerate the remaining makgeolli according to its label.

03 / Enjoy your meal

Finished dish

Finished dish: Pear and ginger makgeolli
Pear and ginger makgeolli
Helpful tips

Use a smooth plain makgeolli so the pear and ginger remain clear. Check the label for grain allergens and ABV. For adults of legal drinking age only. Alcohol strength varies by bottle; taste before adding extra syrup. Serve one glass at a time and do not drive after drinking. Keep perishable ingredients refrigerated.