IPA: /ˈʃoʊ.tʃu/
KK: /ʃoʊtʃu/
A type of Japanese alcoholic drink that is usually made from barley, sweet potatoes, or rice. It has an alcohol content of about 25%, which is less than whisky but more than wine and sake.
I enjoyed a glass of shochu with my dinner last night.
The word 'shochu' originates from Japanese (焼酎), meaning 'burned liquor' or 'distilled spirit'. It refers to a traditional Japanese distilled alcoholic beverage made from various ingredients such as barley, sweet potatoes, or rice.
Think of 'shochu' as a 'burned liquor' from Japan, which helps you remember that it is a type of distilled spirit.