Recipes
Drinks & cocktails · Korean home cooking

Yuja soju tonic

Korean citron preserve gives an easy soju tonic a bright, floral citrus taste. No shaker is needed.

5 min2 servings3 stepsDifficulty: Easy
Yuja soju tonic

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 soju rather than a flavored bottle; this keeps the citron flavor clear.

  • Substitute available

    If Yuja-cheong (Korean citron preserve) — 2 level tablespoons (30 ml) is unavailable

    If yuja-cheong is unavailable, use 2 tablespoons orange marmalade plus 1 teaspoon lemon juice; the scent will differ.

  • Substitute available

    If Chilled tonic water — 1 paper cup (180 ml) is unavailable

    Use sparkling water and 1 teaspoon sugar if tonic is unavailable; the bitter note will be absent.

  • Optional

    Chill the glasses and liquids first if there is no ice.

  • Optional

    Omit or use a thin orange slice for garnish.

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: Put 1 level tablespoon yuja-cheong in each of two clean glasses. If the peel pieces are long, cut them small with a clean spoon or kitchen scissors.

    Put 1 level tablespoon yuja-cheong in each of two clean glasses. If the peel pieces are long, cut them small with a clean spoon or kitchen scissors.

  2. Step 2

    Step 2: Add 1/4 paper cup (45 ml) plain soju to each glass. Stir until the yuja-cheong mixes evenly with the soju. Add ice if using.

    Add 1/4 paper cup (45 ml) plain soju to each glass. Stir until the yuja-cheong mixes evenly with the soju. Add ice if using.

  3. Step 3

    Step 3: Pour 1/2 paper cup (90 ml) chilled tonic water into each glass slowly so it keeps its bubbles. Stir once, garnish with lemon if using, and drink immediately.

    Pour 1/2 paper cup (90 ml) chilled tonic water into each glass slowly so it keeps its bubbles. Stir once, garnish with lemon if using, and drink immediately.

03 / Enjoy your meal

Finished dish

Finished dish: Yuja soju tonic
Yuja soju tonic
Helpful tips

Yuja-cheong is sweet, so taste the finished drink before adding anything else. Do not shake tonic in a closed container. 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.