Jinro Lemon Soju

Jinro Lemon Soju is a lemon-flavored soju, a clear, lightly sweetened spirit-style drink from a brand best known for its soju. Flavored sojus in this style typically pour water-clear with a bright citrus-peel aroma, and the lemon tends to taste like sweetened lemonade or lemon candy rather than sharp, juicy fruit. Expect a light body, very little weight on the palate, and a short, clean finish. Tannin and oak do not apply here, and acidity usually shows up as a soft tartness rather than a sharp bite. This bottle is listed under Massachusetts, United States. The details provided give no ABV, so check the label before planning how many servings a bottle makes. Flavored sojus often sit well below the strength of traditional distilled spirits, but treat that as a general pattern, not a measured figure for this bottle. Serve it cold. Chill the bottle in the refrigerator for several hours, or put it in the freezer for about 30 to 45 minutes if you like it very cold, but don't leave it long enough to freeze. Cold mutes the sweetness and keeps the lemon crisp. It needs no decanting. Pour it straight from the bottle, and shake it gently first if any settling is visible. For glassware, a small shot glass is the traditional choice for sipping it neat. A small tumbler over ice or a stemless wine glass also works if you want to sip it slowly. It also mixes easily with sparkling water or soda in a tall glass, which stretches the pour and gives a light highball. Ginger ale or tonic are other easy mixers. At the table, lemon soju suits salty, fried and spicy food. Korean fried chicken, grilled pork belly, kimchi pancakes, and spicy stir-fried dishes are all natural matches, because the sweetness and citrus cut through grease and heat. It also works with salted snacks and grilled seafood. This is a drink-now product. Citrus flavoring fades over time and nothing about it improves with cellaring. Keep it cool, out of direct light, and finish it soon after you open it.