This sweet pink drink is a strawberry soju cocktail made with both strawberry soju and calpico - a match made in heaven. This pretty cocktail tastes like strawberry juice and looks as good as it tastes.

I love this pretty drink for its milky pink colour and fresh strawberries. Soju and calpico are a classic combination and it tastes even better in their respective strawberry flavours. Be warned that this drink tastes like juice but it is definitely alcoholic. Please drink responsibly.

Glass of pink strawberry soju cocktail on a book

What is soju?

Soju is a Korean distilled alcohol made with rice or other starches. While the original or "chamisul" soju tastes similar to a mild vodka, the largest manufacturer of soju, Jinro, now also makes soju with a plethora of delicious and sweet fruit flavours, including the strawberry flavoured soju that I've used in this drink.

Soju is usually consumed straight but the fruity flavoured ones make amazing mixed drinks when combined with yogurt drinks, like calpico or yakult, or when blended with fruits to make slushies.

What is calpico?

Calpico (or calpis) is a Japanese non-carbonated soft drink that has a milky, yogurt flavour similar to yakult but milder. It's made with cultured milk and citric acid to achieve that unique, acidic flavour. It's commonly consumed as a soft drink or used as a mixer in cocktails and other drinks.

How to make a strawberry soju cocktail

This drink is super easy to make. Just mix everything up and you're good to go, making it a perfect easy party drink or when you just want to throw together a cute drink for yourself.

Variations

Strawberries: You can use fresh or frozen strawberries. I actually prefer frozen strawberries for this. Let them thaw at room temperature for about 20 minutes before cutting them up. As they thaw, they get extra soft and let out juices that mix well right back into the drink for maximum strawberry flavour. Or blend all the ingredients with frozen strawberries for a slushie drink.

Soju: You can use chamisul soju instead of the strawberry flavoured one since the strawberry calpico will already give it flavour. The drink will just taste a little less sweet and stronger. Or experiment with other flavours! If you can find it, I think a lychee soju would taste amazing in combination with strawberry calpico.

Sparkling water: You can use Sprite or 7-Up instead for a sweeter drink or omit altogether if you don't want bubbles.

Calpico: You can use regular calpico but at least your soju or calpico should be strawberry flavoured otherwise this is a different drink entirely. Note that the pink colour comes from the strawberry calpico.

Recipe