How Far Have You Tried Makgeolli with Milk?

Sweetly, Softly!

After writing for Drinkit and trying various beverages mixed with Makgeolli, I concluded that the best drink to pair with Makgeolli is milk. Every summer, posts titled ‘Must-Try Honey Makgeolli Recipes’ gain popularity on social media, and Paris Baguette’s ‘Makgeolli Shake,’ which blends Makgeolli with ice and milk, has been greatly loved, so it seems I’m not the only one who feels this way. However, one question arose: what if we mix Makgeolli with flavored milk like strawberry milk or chocolate milk instead of plain white milk?

Makgeolli + White Milk

Let’s start with the most basic: a Maktail using white milk. Mix Makgeolli and milk in a 1:1 ratio, then swirl in a ring of honey to finish.

There’s a good reason why many people love this combination. The nutty flavor of the milk and the fragrant sweetness of the honey dominate rather than the sourness of the Makgeolli. It’s cool and sweet, perfectly matching this season. The texture is also smoother when swallowed. If you want a nuttier taste, try adding a spoonful of misutgaru (roasted grain powder). You’ll get to enjoy a different charm of honey Makgeolli.

Editor’s Score 5 points / A proven taste. Not greasy, with just the right amount of sweetness. It’s an addictive drink you keep reaching for.

Makgeolli + Strawberry Milk

What about strawberry milk? I made it using the same recipe as the white milk honey Makgeolli. It’s the strawberry Makgeolli often seen on bar menus. How does it taste?

Just by adding strawberry milk to Makgeolli, it tastes this good! It’s soft and sweet like drinking strawberry-flavored yogurt or lassi, with a refreshing tang. The carbonation is just right. Since strawberry milk alone might feel slightly lacking in sweetness, don’t forget to add honey for a fragrant, sweet flavor. Adding frozen or fresh strawberries and blending them in a mixer would make it even more refreshing. For snacks, I recommend thickly fried pajeon (green onion pancake) or corn cheese jeon.

Editor’s Score 5 points / A taste beyond expectations. If you haven’t tried this Makgeolli yet, make sure to try it tonight.

Makgeolli + Banana Milk

Next is banana milk. At first, just smelling the sweet scent of carton banana milk made me wonder if it would really go well with Makgeolli, but I cautiously made a banana milk Maktail. The ratio was again 1:1. No honey was added.

The distinctive sweet aroma of banana milk is very strong. The presence of Makgeolli was minimal. It tastes like sweet banana milk with a spoonful of tangy yogurt added, with no alcohol flavor at all. The texture is quite creamy! Drinking continuously can feel a bit greasy, but it’s not bad. If you want a mild milk-like taste, go with a 1:1 ratio; for a more adult flavor, mix Makgeolli and banana milk in a 2:1 ratio. You could also slice bananas and blend with ice for a shake-style drink.

Editor’s Score 3 points / Recommended if you like sweet and mild alcohol with less alcohol taste. Not recommended for heavy drinkers. Banana milk is sweet enough on its own, so don’t add honey.

Makgeolli + Chocolate Milk

The last contender is chocolate milk, a drink often sought after for hangover relief. I mixed it well in the same ratio without adding honey.

Do you remember ‘Makkao’ by Seoul Jangsu Brewery, famous for Jangsu Makgeolli? That product was made by adding cacao nibs, the raw material of chocolate, to rice wine! It was divisive because it tasted like mixing Makgeolli with cocoa powder or chocolate ice cream. This Makgeolli mixed with chocolate milk tastes similar. It feels like the Makgeolli and chocolate flavors are completely separate. Compared to Mudshake, an alcoholic drink with chocolate, this is a bit sweeter and less heavy.

Editor’s Score 2 points / Worth trying once out of curiosity. Once you know the taste, you probably won’t seek out chocolate Makgeolli again.

Photo by Kim Bomi