The Drinks Index

Rankorea editorial TOP 5

Tonight's drink: our editorial top 5

Five drink directions the Rankorea editorial team would put forward first when the evening calls for one choice.

An editor's five recommendations, shown separately from the visitor poll below.

Selection perspective

We considered the different rhythms a drink can bring to a table, from an easy shared start to a slower finish. This is an editorial suggestion, not a measure of sales, popularity, or nationwide preference.

Prepared by

Selected by the Rankorea editorial team.

Updated

2026-09-27

1. 1

   Beer

   Its light, shareable pace gives a group an uncomplicated opening before the evening decides where to go.

2. 2

   Soju

   A compact pour can anchor a meal-focused table without asking everyone to settle into the same long drink.

3. 3

   Takju (makgeolli)

   Its cloudy texture and bowl-or-bottle serving style introduce a distinctly different tempo from clear spirits.

4. 4

   Fruit wine (incl. wine)

   A glass-led choice leaves room to slow down and notice the conversation rather than organize the table around rounds.

5. 5

   Whisky

   Its smaller, deliberate serve offers a closing direction when the point is to linger over one flavor.

This order does not judge availability, price, alcohol strength, or what people drink most. The visitor poll below keeps all contracted liquor categories separate.