Korean Drinks
매실주
maesilju · Maesil plum liqueur
What it is
Maesil (Korean plum/apricot) steeped in liquor — often homemade in big jars.
Typical strength
anywhere from about 10% to 35%, depending on the bottle or homemade batch
Strength varies by product; this is a general range, not a specific brand. The legal drinking age in Korea is 19 (counted by birth year).
How people drink it
Sipped neat or on the rocks; homemade batches can be strong.
How to order
매실주는 얼음 넣어서 주세요.maesiljuneun eoreum neoeoseo juseyo.Maesil liqueur on the rocks, please.
Drinking etiquette in Korea →Frequently asked questions
What is maesilju (매실주)?
Maesilju (매실주) is maesil (Korean plum/apricot) steeped in liquor — often homemade in big jars.
How strong is maesilju (매실주)?
Typical strength: anywhere from about 10% to 35%, depending on the bottle or homemade batch.
How do Koreans drink maesilju?
Sipped neat or on the rocks; homemade batches can be strong.
How do you order maesilju in Korean?
Say “매실주는 얼음 넣어서 주세요” (maesiljuneun eoreum neoeoseo juseyo) — it means “Maesil liqueur on the rocks, please.”