History Lesson with Booze: Hangul and the "Song For Sejong"

Oct. 9, 2009

On October 9th, South Koreans celebrate "Hangul Day," honoring the publication, in 1446, of the Korean alphabet "Hangul" -- a triumph of elegant, thoughtful simplicity over illiteracy. Hear the story of hangul, then toast the King who invented it with a potent glassful of Korean flavors; click the link above for the recipe.

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Also on this episode

"Song For Sejong" as created for the DPD by Naomi Schimek, bar chef at R Bar in Los Angeles' Koreatown:

In shaker add:

- 2 oz. chili pepper-infused soju (recipe below)
- 3/4 oz. chysanthemum/ginseng syrup (recipe below)
- 1 oz. pomegrante juice
- Juice from one wedge lemon

Add ice and shake until well-chilled. Strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with mint leaves. Can you spell "tasty?"

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To make spicy Soju:

1 bottle Soju
3 chili peppers, halved

Add peppers to Soju, let sit for 48 hours.

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Chrysanthemum/Ginseng syrup:

1 cup purified water
1 cup cane sugar
2-3 tea bags chrysanthemum/ginseng tea (available at Asian markets)

Boil water, let cool one minute. Add sugar and tea bags. Let steep for one or several minutes, to taste.

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