Do you know your soju etiquette?

First off, for those who may not know, soju is a distilled beverage native to Korea and traditionally made from rice. Its taste is comparable to vodka, though often slightly sweeter due to the addition of sugar in the manufacturing process.

As for etiquette, you should know that:

• Soju is usually drunk in group gatherings while eating, unmixed and portioned into individual shot glasses
• It is against traditional custom in Korea to fill one’s own glass. Instead, it must be filled by someone else.
• To pour a drink, hold the bottle in the right hand with the left hand touching the right forearm or elbow; this peculiar arm position originated from the practice of holding back the sleeve of the hanbok so that it wouldn’t touch the table or the food. When receiving a drink, rest the glass in the left palm and hold it with the right hand, perhaps bowing the head slightly to show additional respect.
• Koreans say “one shot”, a challenge to down your glass in one gulp.
• A glass should not be refilled unless completely empty and should be promptly refilled once empty; it is considered rude to not fill others’ glass when empty
• Some special rules apply when drinking with someone of much higher status, i.e. greater age or rank.
• Among friends of equal social status, it is not necessary to use both hands while pouring or receiving a drink, but may be done out of habit or politeness.

Active time: 10 min
Start to finish: 40 min
Servings: Makes 8 drinks

INGREDIENTS

• 1 Pink Lady or Granny Smith apple
• 2 cups soju or sake
• 5 cups chilled tonic water (40 fluid ounces)
• 8 lime wedges

EQUIPMENT

• an adjustable-blade slicer fitted with 1/4-inch julienne blade

PREPARATION

1. Cut apple into matchsticks with slicer, discarding core, then put in a pitcher and stir in soju. Let macerate, covered and chilled, at least 30 minutes.
2. Fill 8 (12-ounce) double Old Fashioned glasses with ice. Strain about 1/4 cup soju into each glass, then add some apple pieces to each glass. Top off drinks with tonic and serve with lime wedges.

Note: Apples in soju can be chilled up to 2 hours.