Soju: what it is and where to buy it in Westford

Soju is a clear Korean spirit, served chilled and sipped neat, over ice or mixed, and it comes plain or flavored. CBC Liquors on Littleton Rd in Westford carries a range of soju, including melon, strawberry, peach, yogurt and blueberry bottles. Below is what soju is, how to drink it and how to pick between the styles.

What is soju?

Soju is a clear distilled spirit from Korea. It was traditionally made from rice, and over the decades many producers have moved to other starches such as sweet potato, barley, wheat or tapioca, which changes the body and sweetness a little from one brand to the next.

It is bottled at a lower strength than most whiskey or vodka, and it is usually smoother and slightly sweeter than neutral spirits. That mild character is why it is poured chilled and often shared at the table rather than saved for a cocktail shaker.

In our catalogue soju sits in the wine section, next to sake and other Asian rice-based drinks, so that is where to look if you are browsing the website.

How strong is soju, and what does it taste like?

Plain soju sits well below the strength of most vodka, and it tastes clean, lightly sweet and a little rounded on the finish. Flavored bottles are generally lighter in strength still, which is part of why they are easy to sip slowly with food. Check the label on the bottle for the exact strength, since it varies by brand and by flavor.

The flavored sojus lean fruity and soft. Think of a ripe melon, strawberry or peach note on top of that clean base, with a gentle sweetness rather than the sharpness of a liqueur.

Treat it the way you would any spirit: pour modestly, drink slowly and keep water on the table.

Which soju flavors does CBC Liquors carry?

The flavored side of the shelf is where most of the choice is. JINRO MELON SOJU and JINRO Strawberry Soju come from one of the best-known soju names. Soon Hari STRAWBERRY SOJU and Soon Hari PEACH SOJU give you a second maker to compare against.

For something less typical, there is BANZAI BUNNY Yogurt Soju, which has a creamy, tangy profile, and HODORI Blueberry Soju for a darker berry note.

If you are trying soju for the first time, pick one flavor you already like in a fruit juice or candy and start there. Strawberry and peach are easy to read, melon is a little more floral, and yogurt is the one to try if you like something sweeter and softer.

How do you drink soju?

Serve it cold. Keep the bottle in the refrigerator or put it on ice for a while before pouring. Traditionally it is poured into small glasses and sipped through the meal, and it is polite to pour for others at the table before yourself.

You can also serve it over ice in a larger glass, which suits the flavored styles well. A squeeze of lemon or lime brightens a sweet bottle.

For a longer drink, top it with soda or tonic. A few cubes of ice, a splash of fizz and a slice of fruit is all it needs. You can find soda, tonic and juice in our mixers section.

What is somaek, and how do you make it?

Somaek is a simple Korean mix of soju and beer. The name is a blend of the Korean words for the two drinks, and the usual method is to pour a small measure of soju into a glass of cold beer and stir.

The lighter the beer, the better it works. A crisp lager or any clean, easy drinking beer will let the soju come through rather than fighting it. A hoppy or heavily malted beer tends to bury the soju.

Keep it modest: a small pour of soju in a full glass of beer. It is meant to be an easy, sociable drink, and it is stronger than the beer on its own.

What food goes with soju?

Soju was built for the table. Its clean, slightly sweet profile cuts through rich, salty and spicy dishes, which is why it is so closely tied to Korean barbecue, fried chicken, pancakes, stews and anything with a lot of chili or garlic.

Flavored bottles pair well with the same kinds of food, and also with lighter plates such as dumplings, grilled seafood, noodles or fresh fruit. The fruitier styles can stand in for a sweeter white wine alongside something spicy.

If you are planning a larger get-together, our party planner is the place to start, and you can put soju next to beer and seltzers so there is something for everyone at the table.

How is soju different from sake and vodka?

Sake is brewed from rice, much like beer, and typically sits somewhere near wine in strength. You can browse it at sake. Soju is distilled, which makes it a spirit, and it is generally a little stronger than sake.

Vodka is also a distilled spirit, but it is usually bottled at a higher strength and is designed to taste as neutral as possible. If you are curious how soju compares, our vodka shelf is the obvious place to taste the difference side by side.

In short: sake is brewed, vodka is a strong neutral spirit, and soju sits between them in strength, with a gentle sweetness that makes it easy to pair with food.

How can you buy soju from CBC Liquors in Westford?

You can walk into the shop at 142 Littleton Rd, Westford, MA 01886. We are open Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

If you would rather not come in, we also offer pickup, delivery and shipping. Pickup hours match our store hours. Delivery runs Sunday 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM, Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM. Our delivery areas page lists the towns we serve, and the details on shipping are on our shipping policy page.

We also serve Chelmsford, Lowell, Acton and nearby towns. Our Google rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 339 reviews. Everyone buying must be 21 or older and may be asked for ID.