Soon Hari Strawberry Soju

Soonhari Strawberry Soju 375mL is the dessert-leaning side of the Soonhari lineup: fresh strawberry up front, a soft creaminess through the middle, and just enough candy-like sweetness to make the whole thing feel closer to strawberries and cream than traditional straight soju. At 12% ABV, it stays light, smooth, and easy to drink cold.

Process & Profile

Produced by LOTTE Chilsung Beverage in Korea, Soonhari Strawberry belongs to the brand’s flavored-soju range. The current U.S. bottling is made with water, alcohol distilled from grain and tapioca, high-fructose corn syrup, citric acid, and strawberry flavoring. It is bottled at 12% ABV in a 375mL bottle and is labeled gluten-free.

Strawberry also has a longer history in the Soonhari lineup than some of the newer flavors. LOTTE says the expression was originally introduced in 2017 as an export-focused release, developed in part around feedback from overseas distributors and consumers. By 2019 it was being exported to markets including the United States, Canada, Vietnam, Singapore, and Australia.

On the nose, fresh strawberry and mixed berry aromas lead, with a light confectionary sweetness underneath.

On the palate, strawberry remains dominant, followed by whipped-cream character and subtle candy-like notes. The sweetness is noticeable but the relatively low alcohol keeps the texture soft rather than syrupy.

The finish is smooth, lightly creamy, and sweet, with lingering strawberry rather than the sharper alcoholic bite associated with traditional unflavored soju.

What makes Soonhari Strawberry particularly successful is how directly it commits to the fruit. LOTTE originally described the expression as a soju-based cocktail developed to reduce soju’s characteristic alcohol aroma and bitterness while emphasizing strawberry character, helping make it more accessible to international drinkers. The expression earned a Judges’ Selection award at the 2019 Alberta Beverage Awards, and the current U.S. bottling received a Silver Medal at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Serve it well chilled, straight from the bottle or poured into small soju glasses. Soonhari recommends pairing Strawberry with Korean fried chicken, where the fruit sweetness plays against the salty, crispy coating and spice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Soonhari Strawberry Soju?
A Korean flavored soju from LOTTE Chilsung Beverage built around sweet strawberry, cream, and light candy-like flavors.

What are the specs?
375mL, 12% ABV, made with alcohol distilled from grain and tapioca, strawberry flavoring, citric acid, and sweetener. The U.S. bottling is labeled gluten-free.

What does it taste like?
Fresh berries and strawberry lead, followed by whipped cream and subtle candy notes, with a soft, smooth, lightly sweet finish.

How should you enjoy it?
Serve it very cold, over ice, or use it in a simple fruit-forward cocktail. It pairs especially well with Korean fried chicken.

Why is this release notable?
Soonhari Strawberry was introduced as an export-focused expression in 2017 and became one of the brand’s strongest international flavors. It has since earned recognition at both the Alberta Beverage Awards and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.