[Recipe] Sparkling Yuja Ade

Yuja is a Korean and East Asian citrus fruit with a flavor that sits somewhere between grapefruit, lime, and mandarin, and it's quickly becoming a go-to ingredient across the U.S. food and beverage industry — showing up in everything from craft cocktails and mocktails to sauces and dressings. This ade is one of the easiest ways to try it at home: three ingredients, no juicing a dozen lemons, and a build order that keeps it from tasting diluted by the time you finish the glass.

What Is Yuja Tea?

Yuja Tea (also called yuja-cha) is a Korean marmalade-style preserve made from yuja fruit and sugar. It's traditionally spooned into hot water for a warming tea, but it works just as well cold — here, it provides both the citrus flavor and the sweetness, with a splash of fresh lemon juice added to brighten it further.

Ingredients

Makes 1 serving

• 2 tbsp Damtuh Yuja Tea
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 6–8 oz sparkling water
• Ice
• Optional: mint or lemon slice

Instructions

1. Stir the Yuja Tea and lemon juice together in a glass.
2. Add ice, then top with sparkling water.
3. Garnish with mint or a lemon slice, if desired.

The One Rule That Keeps It From Tasting Watered Down

Add the ice before the sparkling water, not after. If you pour the sparkling water in first, the ice you drop in afterward starts melting into a drink that's already diluting the fizz and flavor from the first sip. Building the glass ice-first keeps the ade concentrated and the carbonation intact for longer.

3 Tips for the Best Glass

• Use fresh lemon juice, not bottled. It brightens the yuja's natural citrus notes instead of flattening them.
• Stir gently before adding the sparkling water. You want the Yuja Tea and lemon juice fully combined first, so you're not stirring vigorously later and losing carbonation.
• Taste before you garnish. If you want it sweeter, add another half tablespoon of Yuja Tea rather than more water — diluting it further just weakens the flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does yuja taste like? Yuja tastes like a cross between grapefruit, lime, and mandarin orange — tart and floral, with more complexity than a standard lemon.

Can I make this ahead of time for a group? Yes — mix the Yuja Tea and lemon juice in a pitcher ahead of time, but add the ice and sparkling water just before serving so it doesn't go flat or watered down while it sits.

Is this a Korean drink or an American one? It's a bit of both. Yuja Tea itself is a traditional Korean preserve, but this ade format — with a splash of lemon juice and sparkling water — makes it easy for anyone to enjoy at home, no unfamiliar technique required.

Can I make this alcoholic? Yes — yuja is already widely used in the U.S. bar industry in both cocktails and mocktails. A splash of vodka, gin, or soju pairs well with this base without overpowering the citrus flavor.