It’s a start of a new year, and what better way to start than JINRO soju? Some might question how Koreans drink soju. Do you drink soju straight? JINRO soju can be enjoyed in various ways, but the most traditional way to drink it is neat. if you follow the steps from our Guide to Drinking JINRO Soju, you will be the master of drinking soju.
Start with a perfectly chilled bottle of JINRO soju, cold and neat for the best flavor.
First, hold the JINRO soju bottle near the bottom in one hand and swirl it in a circular motion to create a whirlpool inside. This will help to distribute sediment.
Next, hold the JINRO bottle’s neck and use the other hand to slap the end of the bottle firmly. After a few slaps, remove the cap.
Finally, hold the JINRO bottle's lower part and jab the bottle's neck between your index and middle fingers. This should be done with enough force to make a little bit of the soju splash out of the bottle.
Each of these steps was designed to mix the sediment inside the bottle. While modern soju has no sediment, Koreans still keep the tradition alive, especially by adding intention to the drink through the ritual and using it as a welcoming space.
Once the JINRO soju bottle is opened, you’ll want to follow these steps that make up soju pouring tradition in Korea.
This step is to show respect. The oldest person will pour a shot into each group member’s glass. Once the most senior in the group served everyone else, someone else would run a shot for the server.
Using both hands to hold the JINRO soju bottle and glass is another sign of respect in traditional Korean drinking. This is particularly important when serving your elders. If you’re pouring the shots, do not fill your glass. You may want to bow your head while pouring as well. The one that receives the drink should raise their cups in the air with both hands, making it easier for the server to pour you the glass.
Hold the glass with both hands and avoid eye contact while drinking. Turning your head away from others is to avoid flashing your teeth, which is seen as disrespectful in traditional Korean culture. Usually, the first round of drinks should be taken as a shot, not sipped.
In Korean tradition, no glass should sit empty, and no one should drink alone. If you notice someone’s empty glass, ask if they would like another drink. After the first round of drinks, you can always choose whether you want more. Many people choose to shoot them each time, but this isn’t required. You can choose to sip.
No one should drink alone in Korean tradition. If someone offers to pour you a drink, you should always accept. In addition, if you pour another shot for someone, they should also pour one for you. When drinking with friends, it is common to pour the JINRO soju into the shot glass and drink it all at once. Koreans clink the shot glasses and say ‘Geonbae’ or ‘Jjan’, which means cheers and drink up!
Once you’ve mastered drinking JINRO soju, you can always try out these drinking games to blend in or break the ice to keep the flow going. Try simple drinking games like “Flick the Cap” or “Titanic.” These drinking games require a short time, and you can play a few rounds to keep your energy the whole night. For more understanding of how Korean drinking games work, you can check here. You can enjoy all kinds of drinking games with JINRO on any occasion of the year. Remember that you should never fill your glass and always use two hands. Even though it’s unnecessary to enjoy drinking soju in this way, it’s always fun to explore a new culture and drink JINRO soju.
