I know what you’re thinking.
Shaking beverages like sikhye or makgeolli, which have sediment that needs to be mixed, makes sense.
But soju is clear and has nothing inside to mix, so why do Koreans shake soju bottles?
Here’s why!
Quick Summary
- Koreans shake soju bottles to create a swirl, tap the bottom with their elbow, then form a V-shape with their fingers to flick off the top.
- Soju bottles used to be sealed with corks in the 50s. Koreans wanted to open bottles easily and remove cork debris by shaking it.
- When the soju brand Chum-Churum was launched, it came with the slogan that shaking the bottle would make it taste better.
- There’s also a rumor that soju had to be shaken to mix in saccharin, a sweetener that was once used in soju.
- But mostly, shaking a soju bottle is simply about having fun and setting the mood for a drinking session.
1. The Cork from the 1950s
Back in the 1950s, soju bottles were sealed with corks, much like wine bottles.
Opening these bottles required effort, so people would turn the bottle upside down and shake it.
This allowed the cork to absorb some liquid and soften, making it easier to open.
They also tapped the bottom with their elbows.
Additionally, cork particles often got into soju, so people would shake the bottle, tap the neck, and pour out a small amount to remove cork debris.
This ritual evolved into the bottle-tapping and shaking ritual we see today.
2. “Chum Churum” Marketing
When the soju brand Chum-Churum was first launched, their slogan said that shaking the bottle would make it taste better.
According to the brand’s explanation, their soju, made with alkaline water, becomes smoother when shaken because the alcohol seeps more evenly between the water molecules.
This marketing message likely influenced the habit of shaking soju bottles.
3. The Saccharin Myth
There’s also a rumor that soju had to be shaken to mix it with saccharin, a sweetener that was once used in soju.
While this isn’t true for modern soju, the myth may have contributed to the continued practice of shaking the bottle.
4. Just for Fun
Shaking a soju bottle is simply about having fun and setting the mood for a drinking session.
It’s a way to signal that the party is about to start.
It also makes the person doing it look like they know how to have a good time.
Plus, when everyone else is shaking their bottle, it just feels right to join in!
Conclusion
Shaking soju bottles has evolved from practical origins to a fun ritual.
Whether it’s out of habit, for taste, or just to get the party started, it continues to bring energy to Korean drinking tables.
