Soon Hari Lychee Soju

Soonhari Lychee Soju 375mL is one of the more aromatic expressions in the Soonhari lineup, trading heavier fruit sweetness for a lighter combination of lychee, honeysuckle, tropical fruit, and pear. At 12% ABV, it stays soft and easy-drinking, with a silky texture and just enough sweetness to emphasize the fruit without burying its floral side.

Process & Profile

Produced in Korea by LOTTE, Soonhari Lychee starts with alcohol distilled from grain and tapioca, then combines it with water, high-fructose corn syrup, citric acid, and lychee flavoring. The U.S. expression is bottled at 12% ABV in a 375mL bottle and is labeled gluten-free.

Soonhari uses a modern flavored-soju production process. Its base ingredients are fermented and distilled to create a clean spirit, then diluted with activated carbon-filtered water before the final flavorings are added. That neutral, refined base is particularly useful with lychee, because it leaves room for the fruit’s delicate floral character rather than covering it with alcohol heat.

On the nose, lychee and honeysuckle lead, with ripe tropical fruit and a softer pear note underneath. The floral character gives this expression a noticeably more perfumed profile than many of Soonhari’s straightforward berry or stone-fruit flavors.

On the palate, it is silky, crisp, and lightly sweet. Lychee remains at the center while pear adds a cleaner fruit note through the middle, keeping the sweetness from feeling too heavy.

The finish is light and smooth, carrying lingering pear, floral sweetness, and tropical fruit with very little perceived alcohol heat.

What makes Soonhari Lychee stand out is how well the flavor works with the low-proof soju format. Lychee can become syrupy in sweeter liqueurs, but here the combination of crispness, pear, and floral character produces a more refreshing profile. That balance also earned Soonhari Lychee a Double Gold Medal at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, one of the strongest accolades currently listed across the Soonhari range.

Serve it very cold, straight from the bottle or poured into small soju glasses. It also works over ice or in a light sparkling cocktail. Soonhari specifically recommends pairing the Lychee expression with sashimi, where its delicate sweetness and floral fruit character complement rather than overwhelm raw fish.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Soonhari Lychee Soju?
A Korean flavored soju built around lychee, honeysuckle, tropical fruit, and pear, with a light, smooth, slightly sweet profile.

What are the specs?
375mL, 12% ABV, made with water, alcohol distilled from grain and tapioca, high-fructose corn syrup, citric acid, and lychee flavoring. It is labeled gluten-free.

What does it taste like?
Expect lychee and honeysuckle up front, followed by tropical fruit and pear. The palate is silky and crisp, finishing lightly sweet and smooth.

How should you enjoy it?
Serve it well chilled, over ice, or in a light sparkling cocktail. It pairs especially well with sashimi and other delicate seafood dishes.

Why is this release notable?
Its combination of floral lychee, pear, and an approachable 12% ABV gives it one of the more delicate profiles in the Soonhari lineup. It also received a Double Gold Medal at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.