The 10 Most Popular Asian Liquors and Booze

When it comes to Asian alcohol, there is a wide variety of unique and delicious options to choose from. From smooth and complex spirits to crisp and refreshing beers, there is something for every palate. In this article, we will explore the top 10 most popular Asian liquors, spirits, and beers, and give you a brief overview of each one.

1. Soju: This clear, colorless spirit is a staple in South Korea, where it is often enjoyed neat or mixed with beer or other ingredients to create cocktails. Soju is made from rice, wheat, or barley, and has a smooth, slightly sweet flavor.

2. Baijiu: This strong, potent spirit is popular in China, where it is made from sorghum, wheat, barley, or rice. Baijiu has a distinctive, pungent flavor that can take some getting used to, but it is often enjoyed neat or mixed with water or other ingredients to create cocktails.

3. Shochu: This Japanese spirit is made from a variety of ingredients, including rice, barley, sweet potatoes, and buckwheat. Shochu is typically distilled only once, giving it a smooth, clean flavor that is often enjoyed neat or on the rocks.

4. Sake: This Japanese rice wine is made by fermenting polished rice with water and a special type of mold called koji. Sake has a delicate, floral flavor and is often enjoyed chilled or at room temperature.

5. Umeshu: This Japanese liqueur is made by steeping unripe ume fruit (a type of green plum) in alcohol and sugar. Umeshu has a sweet, fruity flavor and is often enjoyed on its own or mixed with soda or other ingredients to create cocktails. Inspired by this, we've made a Plum Hard Seltzer using the same process, with a light and flavorful taste profile.

6. Japanese Whisky: Japanese whisky is made in a similar style to Scotch whisky, using malted barley and other grains. Japanese whisky is often considered to be smoother and more delicate than its Scottish counterpart, and is enjoyed neat or on the rocks.

7. Singha Beer: This Thai beer is made from barley and has a crisp, refreshing flavor. Singha is one of the most popular beers in Thailand, and is often enjoyed with spicy food or as a refreshing beverage on a hot day.

8. Tsingtao Beer: This Chinese beer is made from barley and has a crisp, clean flavor. Tsingtao is one of the most popular beers in China, and is often enjoyed with seafood or other light dishes.

9. San Miguel Beer: This Filipino beer is made from barley and has a crisp, light flavor. San Miguel is one of the most popular beers in the Philippines, and is often enjoyed with Filipino food or as a refreshing beverage on a hot day.

10. Chang Beer: This Thai beer is made from barley and has a smooth, malty flavor. Chang is one of the most popular beers in Thailand, and is often enjoyed with spicy food or as a refreshing beverage on a hot day.

From smooth and complex spirits to crisp and refreshing beers, there's something for every palate. Whether you are a fan of soju, baijiu, shochu, sake, or one of the many other Asian alcohols, there is a world of flavor waiting to be discovered.