Soju vs. Vodka – What’s The Difference?

Liquor has been widely used in cooking. Some wine can be added to the chicken while a cake can be baked with rum adds to the importance of these drinks. All you have to know is the use and value of specific liquor for certain purposes.

When you are talking about cooking with liquor, two of the most prominent drinks that come to mind are soju and vodka. Both of them are used in their ways for a specific reason in cooking. However, you need to know the difference and the use of these drinks before randomly adding them to your food.

Soju and vodka can be considered cousins from different countries. Primarily they are part of the same family but with a twist. Both are distilled, can be drunk by shots, and go well with other drinks or foods.

Soju is a Korean spirit originally made using fermented rice; when rice got banned from making soju, people started using sweet potato tapioca and wheat. At the same time, vodka is also a distilled alcohol that originates from Poland, Sweden and Russia.

It is primarily made from ethanol or water but originally was made using cereal grains and potatoes. Not only do they have different origins but also different alcohol content. Soju has about 40% alcohol, while vodka starts at 40% and goes all the way to 96%.

In this article, we will be looking in-depth at vodka and soju. We will cover all the concepts on how they are used and why they are used. So, keep on reading to learn more about these two incredible drinks.

Soju

Soju originally comes from Korea. It could even be considered a Korean version of vodka. But one primary thing that sets it apart is that it has only about 24 percent of alcohol content. However, it is still higher than beer but comparatively lower than vodka.

 This is also an advantage as many places that permit wine and beer offer soju. Some of these drinks include martini mojitos and cosmos. It is a great alternative to drinks that have higher alcohol content. Thus, high-level alcohol options can be limited if soju is offered as an alternative.

One main reason it has lower alcohol content is that Koreans made it to allow limited licensing. Soju is colorless and clear. It was originally made from barley wheat and rice, but sweet potatoes are also used nowadays. It is typically served neat and without ice. A shot-sized glass is used to sip it.

Soju can also make mixed drinks as an alternative to vodka. You can mix it into a drink using beer, soju and cider and use it as a shot. It can be served in watermelon, with a mild flavor and alcohol level. It also works best in cleaning grease-dry windows and boards.

It is used widely in cooking recipes and yogurt or juice for sleep aid. On top of that, soju can also be used in cooking. You will find various Korean recipes that use soju in cooking. It will work just fine if you use it to replace vodka in your meals. Some of the ideas used for cooking with soju are listed as Cheeseburger pie, dumplings and Pineapple cake.

Nutritional Facts

A serving of one oz. of soju includes the following:

• Total Calories: 64
• Fat 0g
• Saturated Fat 0g
• Trans Fat 0g
• Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
• Monounsaturated Fat 0g
• Cholesterol 0mg
• Sodium 1.5mg
• Potassium 0.6mg
• Total Carbohydrates 0g
• Dietary Fiber 0g
• Sugars 0g
• Protein 0g

Health Benefits

Soju treats excessive ear wax building, dizziness and hearing loss. It is also known to treat a cold and dampness brought by diarrhea. Soju has also been shown to relieve vomiting and nausea. It is also lower calorie alcohol and works best for people on a diet.

Vodka

Vodka is one of the most popular liquors that is used. It is widely used around the globe for mixing with other drinks taking shots, or making cocktails. Moreover, it does not require a license to serve or sell. The alcohol content usually is around 40%.

However, there are also various options available that go beyond this level. It is primarily distilled alcohol that originates from Russia and Poland. Ethanol and water are two primary ingredients added to its making. Vodka goes well with other drinks or meals you add it to. It is made from fermented grains that are then distilled to form liquor.

Similar to soju, sweet potatoes are also used nowadays to make vodka. Moreover, sugar and fruit have also become part of their making. For a compound to be called vodka, it should have 37.5 percent alcohol content.

The most typical way to use vodka is to take shots or mix it with other drinks. Few of the most commonly used drinks that have vodka includes Bloody Mary, Black Russian, Cosmopolitan, Madras, Screwdriver, Martini and Vodka cranberry.

These are only a few drinks that have vodka; however, there are a lot of drinks out there that use vodka. Vodka can also be added to soju and other types of liquors. Some of the most common recipes that use vodka are Pasta sauces, Penne with vodka, Bolognese pasta, Baked beans and Lemon chicken.

Nutritional Facts

• Total calories: 97KCAL
• Total Fat 0g
• Saturated Fat 0g
• Trans Fat 0g
• Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
• Monounsaturated Fat 0g
• Cholesterol 0mg
• Sodium 0.4mg
• Potassium 0.4mg
• Total Carbohydrates 0g
• Dietary Fiber 0g
• Sugars 0g
• Protein 0g

Health Benefits

Studies have shown that vodka greatly aids in relieving stress as it is a natural relaxer. Vodka is also known to increase blood circulation that prevents strokes and other heart-related diseases. It is also lower calorie alcohol and works best for people on a diet.

Vodka is also used as a skincare product. Due to vodka acting as a natural disinfectant and toner, it can deep clean your pores. It also treats acne and tightens the skin on your face. Vodka is also known to treat toothache and combat bad breath.

So, What’s the Difference Between Soju and Vodka?

1. The primary difference between the two is the alcohol content. Soju has about 24 percent alcohol content, while vodka has a minimum of 40 percent.
2. Vodka also works best as an anti-septic or for sterilizing purposes.
3. Soju may be considered a Korean vodka form but originates from a different place.
4. Vodka is more widely used and much more popular than soju.

Sources:

• Foods guy
• Nutrionix
• Koreaportal
• Mead
• Rumchata
• Gin
• Kahlua