5 Korean-Inspired Cocktails to Make at Home From Ike Ryu, Assistant Head Bartender of OUL

INTERVIEW

As the sun sets and the city's neon lights begin to twinkle, there's something enchanting about the way Seoul comes to life. Where the nightlife shines in its rich cocktail culture, at OUL, the signature bar of Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, a pleasant mixological journey inspired by the city’s traditional history pays homage to the soul of Seoul. Here, OUL’s Assistant head bartender, Ike Ryu, breaks down 5 Korean-inspired cocktails to make at home for a little taste of the alluring culture that will take your cocktail game to a whole new level.

Read our full review of Four Seasons Hotel Seoul HERE.

1. Goosoo Highball 구수 하이볼

The word ‘Goosoo’ means ‘nutty, savory and pleasant-tasting’ in Korean. Barley tea is a very common and friendly drink to Korean which could be seen in almost every store. By using the barley tea to the cocktail, people can feel the familiar, pleasant, but new taste.

Recipe for 1 glass

• 45ml Toasted Barley tea infused Won Soju Classic (or any distilled Soju about 25% ABV)* 15ml Crust of overcooked rice syrup (or just simple syrup)*

• Top Soda water

• Garnish with Crust of overcooked rice syrup

How to make

In the Glass Pour the Barley tea infused soju and Crust of overcooked rice syrup together, fill up the ice in a glass and stir it little bit and pour the soda water slowly and mix it together.

*Barley Tea infused Soju

• 375ml Distilled Soju

• 40g Toasted Barley Tea

1. In a Soju put some barley tea and put it in the warm water about an hour. (60’c ~ 70’c)

2. Strain the toasted barley tea from soju.

*Crust of Overcooked Rice Syrup

• 500ml filtered water

• 50g Crust of Overcooked Rice

• 500g White sugar

1. In water put 50g of crust of overcooked rice and heat until boil

2. When it starts to boil, turn off the heat and leave it for an hour

3. Strain it and add 500g of white sugar

4. Stir it until sugar fully dissolve

2. Kimchi Highball 김치 하이볼

Kimchi Highball is one of the very unique fusion cocktails in our Korean contemporary bar, OUL. By infusing kimchi into highball, people can taste a spicy and sweet flavor that is representing Korea’s most famous food, kimchi.

Recipe for 1 glass

• 30ml Chili Powder infused distilled soju (40%ABV)* 45ml Pear Juice

• 15ml Lemon Juice

• 10ml Simple Syrup

• Top Soda water

• Garnish with Slice of Pear

How to make

In the Glass Pour Chili Powder infused soju, Pear Juice, Lemon Juice, and Simple Syrup together, fill up the ice in a glass and stir it well. Pour the soda water slowly and mix it together.

*Chili Powder infused distilled soju

• 700ml Distilled Soju (40%ABV)

• 50g Red Chili Powder

1. In a Soju put some Red chili powder and keep it in a room temperature for 24 hours

2. Strain with Coffee filter

3. K-Negroni 케이 네그로니

K-Negroni presents a new way of converting a classic cocktail Negroni with Korean touch, adding Korean traditional ingredient ‘Omija’ (Kind of a wild berry) into local Gin.

Recipe for 1glass

• 60ml Omija infused Gin*

• 30ml Simple Syrup 2dashes Orange bitters

• Garnish with Chocolate Coin

How to make

In the Glass Pour Omija infused Gin and Simple syrup and orange bitters and stir it until it becomes a well-chilled

*Omija infused Gin

• 500ml Gin

• 100g Dried Omija

1. In a Gin put some dried Omija and keep it in a room temperature for 24 hours

2. Strain it

4. Sujeonggwa 수정과

‘Sujeonggwa’ is one of the popular traditional drinks in Korea. With the taste of cinnamon, people can taste the traditional flavor turned into the cocktail.

Recipe for 1 glass

• 60ml Oak barrel aged Soju

• 7.5ml Cinnamon Honey Syrup*

• 2 dashes Angostura bitters

• Garnish with Soft Persimmon

How to make

In the Glass Pour Oak barrel aged soju, Cinnamon honey syrup, Angostura bitters together, and stir it until it becomes a well-chilled

*Cinnamon Honey Syrup

• 200ml Hot water

• 30g Cinnamon Stick

• 400ml Honey

1. In hot water put some cinnamon stick and steep for 30minutes

2. After 30minutes later, take out the cinnamon stick from the pot.

3. Add the honey in the pot and mix well.

5. Hwachae 화채

Hwachae is Korea’s Summer dessert, made with various fruits and cool drinks (usually, soda or milk). In this cocktail, people can taste the fresh and juicy flavor of fruits and refreshing feeling.

Recipe for 1 glass

• 40ml Gin

• 45ml Pear Juice

• 15ml Chrysanthemum honey syrup (Honey 2part Chrysanthemum tea 1part)

• 7.5ml Yuzu Juice

• Top Ginger beer

• Garnish with pear and edible flower

How to make

1. In the Glass, pour every ingredient except ginger beer.

2. Mix well with ice and add the Ginger beer

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Book your eclectic cocktail experience at OUL HERE.

Address: 97 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea | Website: fourseasons.com/seoul/dining/lounges/oul | Phone: +82 6388 5500 | Instagram: @oul_bar | Facebook: @FourSeasonsHotelSeoul