Best Yogurt Soju Recipe (Yakult + Soju)

Yogurt soju is a pleasant and fun drink you can enjoy even during the day. This cocktail contains dairy and is basically Yakult for adults. It is popular among college students in Korea who are just starting to drink because its light and sweet. However, if you are a fan or lover of the traditional Asian alcoholic drink, this cocktail is also meant for you. 

We also love enjoying our favourite childhood yogurt drink with an alcoholic twist. Hence, we've created this quick and easy yogurt soju recipe. After numerous trips to the supermarket and much research, we have developed the perfect formula to achieve this fun beverage.

Our recipe will give you a perfectly refreshing and sweet cocktail to enjoy with friends and family. Furthermore, it is easy and smooth to drink, so it is also suitable for beginners. So, continue reading to uncover the best way to make yogurt soju.

Jump to:

• What does yogurt soju taste like?
• Yogurt soju ingredients
• How to make yogurt soju
• Cocktail tips 
• How to make strawberry yogurt soju
• Best Yogurt Soju Recipe

What does yogurt soju taste like?

This refreshing drink has a creamy texture and tastes sweet and a little tangy. The Korean liquor itself possesses a clean and neutral taste. Additionally, the yogurt provides a sweet, tangy flavour, and the lime soda adds a refreshing citrusy taste. 

However, this can vary depending on the alcohol flavour used to make the cocktail. For instance, mixing Yakult with apple-flavoured soju will give the cocktail a more fruity flavour. 

Yogurt soju ingredients

Our easy recipe calls for three main ingredients: soju, Yakult, and lemon-lime soda.

Soju

Our recipe will use plain soju for a neutral taste. It is similar to traditional vodka but with a lesser alcohol percentage, which makes it suitable for beginners. We prefer making our cocktails with this particular alcohol as it is easy to drink and pairs well with other ingredients. 

Additionally, you can also make this Korean drink with flavoured soju if you like fruity cocktails. For a tangier drink, go for flavours like plum, green grape, yuzu, or grapefruit. For sweeter booze, try strawberry, honeydew, mango, and lychee. If you prefer both, the apple flavour is a safe choice.

Yakult

The authentic Korean yogurt soju recipe uses Yakult, so we recommend using the same. You can easily find it in Asian supermarkets in the dairy aisle. However, if you can't find this popular brand, any original-flavoured yogurt drink like Calpis would be a good substitute. Alternatively, you can also use lassi or kefir to make the cocktail.

It is worth noting that Yakult is a Japanese invention and not even a yogurt-based drink. Yakult is basically skimmed milk with probiotic live bacteria. However, it is commonly misclassified as yogurt because of its taste. The drink is popular among Koreans due to its health benefits and has become an integral part of Korean culture. 

Lemon-lime soda

The lemon-lime soda will lighten the intensity of the alcohol and creamy Yakult. We suggest getting Chilsung Cider to make yogurt soju, just like how Korean people make it. It is a Korean lemon-lime soda that tastes like 7Up and Sprite. So, these two beverages would be excellent substitutes if you aren't able to get your hands on this soda. Alternatively, you can also use sparkling water or ginger ale instead of those. 

How to make yogurt soju

You can make this cocktail yourself at home in these few simple steps: 

1. First, mix the alcohol and yogurt drink in a cocktail shaker. 
2. Then, add some ice and shake the shaker until the mixture is thoroughly chilled. You'll know this once the shaker starts to feel cold. 
3. Finally, add the soda and stir the drink before serving it in a glass. 

Cocktail tips 

Our easy recipe allows plenty of room for modifications and experimentation. So, there's no need to worry about messing it up. It is actually harder to fail and end up with a bad cocktail. Despite that, we have some tips that will help you achieve the best yogurt soju:

Add salt 

Add a pinch of salt into the shaker before mixing the liquor and Yakult. This will enhance and bring out the flavours of the drink even more.

The Ideal Ratio

If you're enjoying the drink with friends, the ideal yogurt soju ratio would be 4:2:1 (alcohol: yogurt: soda). This ratio will be enough to serve a small group of people and provide the ideal flavour profile. In this recipe, we will use the 4:2:1 ratio.  

However, for a milder taste, we recommend using equal parts of the alcohol and Yakult. To tone down the alcohol flavour, you can use a 2:2:1 ratio. 

However, we also recommend the 1:1:1 ratio if you make it just for yourself. Then, you’ll get a stronger kick from the soju as well as a more intense creaminess from the Yakult. Take your time savouring the taste of the drink if you’re going for the 1:1:1 ratio.

Creamier Drink

Our recipe requires two bottles of Yakult to make the drink. However, you can add more for a creamier and sweeter cocktail. 

Flavoured version 

Using flavoured alcohol is a good way to make your yogurt soju sweeter and more interesting. Moreover, it is a fantastic choice if you want your drink to contain less alcohol. But since the flavoured alternatives are sweeter, you should also consider adjusting the amount of soda and Yakult you use. 

More Alcohol

Those who prefer their beverage to be more alcoholic might want to stick with plain alcohol. In this recipe, we will use 200ml of plain soju, which is already adequate for most people. However, you can add more if you have a higher alcohol tolerance or want a stronger taste. Note that this cocktail is easy to drink, and you might get drunk before you know it. 

Make it in advance

You can prepare the drink in advance and store it in the fridge. We suggest keeping it in a jug or a bottle for convenience. Once you're ready to enjoy it, pour it into a glass and add some ice before serving. 

Bigger Serving

Additionally, for a bigger serving, you can prepare your yogurt soju in a pitcher instead of a stainless-steel shaker. Prepare a pitcher, fill it with ice and pour all the ingredients into it. Then, stir the mixture with a stirrer before serving. This is best if you are serving it to a large group of people. 

Add other ingredients

All the ingredients used to make the cocktail are versatile and pair well with many ingredients. So, add a bit of a twist and make the drink more enjoyable. For example, add lime or orange juice for a zestier beverage and syrup to entertain your sugar cravings. 

Make use of leftover ingredients

Since the recipe does not require the entirety of each ingredient, you can save them for other cocktails or mocktails. For instance, you can make a soju bomb by mixing beer with your leftover alcohol. Additionally, you can also mix Yakult with lemon-lime soda for a fun non-alcoholic mocktail!

How to make strawberry yogurt soju

One of the popular variations of the cocktail is strawberry yogurt soju. There are multiple ways for you to make this pretty pink beverage. For example, you can use strawberry-flavoured soju instead of the original flavour. Furthermore, you can also make this sweet variation with Korean strawberry milk. However, the most convenient and delicious way is to replace Yakult with Strawberry Calpis or another strawberry-flavoured yogurt drink.

The steps to make it remain simple, you can just use the ideal 4:2:1 ratio or the stronger the 1:1:1 ratio (alcohol: yogurt: soda). Mix the alcohol with strawberry milk or yogurt drink into an ice-filled shaker. Shake it until the mixture is thoroughly cold. Then, add the soda and stir before serving it in a glass. 

If you enjoyed our yogurt soju recipe, follow us on Instagram @honestfoodtalks for more delicious drink inspiration.