2 min read- Costco members have discovered Yoju’s Hard Vietnamese Coffee at select Southern California warehouses.
- The canned cocktail blends soju, Vietnamese coffee, and condensed milk.
- Fans have been quick to compare ir to the original Four Loko, but each contains only 20 to 30 milligrams of caffeine.
Put down your espresso martini—there’s a new caffeinated cocktail in town. Eagle-eyed Costco members have spotted a new beverage on warehouse shelves, and people are already adding it to their shopping lists. Hitting select Southern California warehouses now is Yoju’s Hard Vietnamese Coffee.
The drink is a boozy blend of soju, condensed milk, and coffee imported from Vietnam. Each can clocks in at seven percent ABV, making it stronger than your average hard seltzer.
This product may already be familiar if you shop at Trader Joe’s, where it first appeared about four months ago. One Reddit user made the astute observation that Costco’s version is the much better deal. A four-pack at Trader Joe’s costs around $15, while a box twice that size at Costco costs $18—whichbreaks down to just $2.25 per can.
Reviews of the new warehouse find are already rolling in. One Reddit user called the cocktail “delicious” and ideal for “easy drinking.” Another said the “soju part is subdued due to the sweetness of Vietnamese coffee.” Since soju is already a crisp, mild, easy-drinking spirit, adding condensed milk makes this sound especially appealing to anyone who wants a buzz without a super-alcohol-forward flavor.
Of course, some people immediately connected the caffeinated cocktail to the original formula of Four Loko—including the brand’s founder. But if you’re concerned about caffeine overload, don’t be. Each can contains between 20 and 30 milligrams of caffeine, which is notably less than a cup of coffee and even less than your standard espresso martini.
Yoju’s Vietnamese Hard Coffee will only be in the Costco warehouses for a limited time. Availability is currently limited to a handful of Southern California locations. But if you’re like me and have FOMO, you may still be able to find the canned cocktail at Trader Joe’s or online—even if you’re missing out on the better price.