Taste of Summer: Savoring the Popular Drinks in Korea

With the start of the summer season coming in hot, people everywhere are preparing for the warm weather by stocking up on their favorite foods and drinks to keep them cool.

While it can be nice sitting out in the sun or going to the beach when it's warm, Koreans are always looking for ways to cool down in the summer heat, and one of the best ways to do so is to enjoy your favorite summer drink!

So if you are going to be in Korea this summer, or even if you live abroad, here are some of the most popular drinks to enjoy in the summer in Korea!

Subak Hwachae, or Korean watermelon punch, is a refreshing drink made of watermelon, lemon-lime soda, milk, and sweetened condensed milk.

This popular fruit punch can also be customized, so you can make it with any other in-season fruits you like to eat in the summertime, such as cantaloupe and blueberries.

When making Subak Hwachae, you can substitute the sweetened condensed milk with either honey or sugar, depending on the sweetness and creaminess you prefer.

The drink can be enjoyed as a snack or a dessert and can be served right after making or chilled with ice, which is best on a hot summer day!

With such a simple recipe that only takes four ingredients, you could make this punch with any fruit this summer or add any ingredients you have, making it the perfect drink or snack for the summer!

Another popular drink that Koreans enjoy in the summer is Sikhye.

Sikhye, otherwise known as rice punch, is a traditional Korean beverage made from fermented malt and rice. It has a sweet taste and is often served as a dessert in Korean restaurants.

The drink is sold in cans at the grocery store but can be made at home with rice, barley malt powder, water, and sugar, and can also be garnished with toppings like pine nuts or jujube.

If it is a hot day, you can freeze the sikhye to make a slush, which you can enjoy in a bowl with toppings or as a frozen drink! 

Check out the video below to learn how to make sikhye at home! 

Favored by many kpop idols such as BTS' Jungkook, Banana Milk is a super popular drink that can be found in most convenience stores around Korea. 

This fruit-flavored milk is an easy grab-and-go drink to enjoy in the summer when you are craving a sweet, creamy treat.

It's also rich in potassium, vitamin B6, and calcium, making it a great beverage to turn to when you are in need of some nutrients this summer!

The drink's flavor was also originally introduced to encourage Koreans to drink more milk, and at the time of its making, bananas were considered luxurious and expensive, so the drink allowed more people to get a taste of the fruit!

So if you want to try this popular Korean beverage this summer, stop by any Korean convenience store or grocery store and look for the yellow jar-shaped bottle!

Similar to the watermelon punch, omija-hwachae is a Korean punch made from magnolia berries.

This drink is known for its reddish-pink color, which is produced by infusing the dry magnolia berries in water, which is how the punch is made.  

Omija means "five flavors" in Korean, which refers to sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and pungent flavors, so the tea and punch are often sweetened. Omija is even used as a makgeolli flavoring!

Omija-hwachae is served cold and is typically sweetened with honey, sugar, or syrup to balance the magnolia berries' tangy, bitter flavor.

Omija-hwachae and omija-cha are known to aid the recovery from respiratory illnesses and have been consumed traditionally for their benefits for the liver.

You can also garnish the punch with toppings like Asian pears or pine nuts.

If you have ever set foot in a Korean convenience store or seen anyone online go to one, you may have noticed the drink pouches you can buy and the ice cups often bought with them.

These pouched drinks are often known as 'ades,' which are basically just glorified juice boxes with fun flavors like tart cherry and green grape ade.

Many Koreans will purchase these drinks in the summer since it's a sweet and refreshing way to stay hydrated on hot summer days and because they come in so many fruity flavors, which are best enjoyed when it's warm outside!

You can also find flavors like americano, matcha latte, and sikhye, so even if you aren't looking for something too fruity or sweet, you can still enjoy an ice-cold pouch beverage!

With citron tea, or yuja-cha, being so popular during the winter months in Korea, the sparkling iced version is great for the summertime!

This citrusy beverage is perfect for hot days and is easy to prepare, using just three main ingredients; ice, sparkling water, and honey citron marmalade. 

If you like citron tea during the winter or need more Vitamin C this summer, you should give the iced version of this drink a try!

In the comments below, let us know which Korean drinks you are most excited to try this summer!

Have you wondered where to buy new Korean drinks and snacks for the summer? You should check out The Daebak Company's one-stop shop for your favorite Korean drinks and other Korean snacks and goods.