Soju Alcohol Content
Classic soju is 16% alcohol by volume (ABV). That is weaker than vodka but more than three times stronger than beer. A 375 ml bottle holds about 3.4 standard drinks.
Fruit-flavored soju is lighter, usually about 13% ABV, and tastes sweet enough that the alcohol is easy to miss.
Soju Alcohol Content by Brand
These are the strengths printed on soju labels approved by the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (searchable in the TTB COLA public registry):
| Soju | ABV | Standard drinks per 375 ml bottle |
|---|---|---|
| Jinro Chamisul Fresh | 16% | 3.4 |
| Jinro Is Back | 16% | 3.4 |
| Chum Churum Original | 16.5% | 3.5 |
| Jinro Strawberry and Jinro Grapefruit | 13% | 2.7 |
How Many Standard Drinks Are in Soju?
One U.S. standard drink is 14 grams of pure alcohol. A 1.5 oz pour of 16% soju is only about 0.4 of a standard drink, but a whole bottle is about 3.4. Splitting a bottle between two people is still about 1.7 drinks each.
Soju vs Beer, Wine, Sake, and Vodka
Soju mixed with beer (somaek) stacks both. To count any mix, use the standard drink calculator.
How Many Bottles of Soju Does It Take to Get Drunk?
That depends on your weight, your sex, and how fast you drink. Soju is usually poured as small shots, and a 375 ml bottle holds about 8.5 of them. Enter your weight below to see how many 1.5 oz shots of 16% soju reach each level.
Actual BAC depends on metabolism, food, and time.
Try our BAC calculator for more detailed tracking
Soju Alcohol Content FAQ
What is the alcohol content of soju?
Classic soju like Jinro Chamisul Fresh is 16% ABV. Chum Churum Original is 16.5%, and fruit-flavored soju is usually about 13%.
How many standard drinks are in a bottle of soju?
A 375 ml bottle of 16% soju is about 3.4 standard drinks. A 13% flavored soju bottle is about 2.7.
Is soju stronger than vodka?
No. Most vodka is 40% ABV, about two and a half times stronger than 16% soju. But soju is often drunk by the bottle, so it adds up fast.
Is soju stronger than sake?
About the same. Most sake is about 15% ABV and classic soju is 16%.
How many bottles of soju does it take to get drunk?
It depends on your weight, your sex, and how fast you drink. Over one hour, about 1.0 bottles bring a 160 pound man to 0.08 BAC, and about 0.8 bring a 160 pound woman there. Enter your own weight in the calculator on this page.
To see how soju affects your blood alcohol level, use the BAC calculator.