Makgeolli is a traditional alcoholic beverage prepared from rice, barley, wheat or malt grains by fermentation using a natural starter called nuruk. The makgeolli flavour depends mainly on the content of the metabolic products (free sugars, amino acids, organic acids and aromatic compounds) produced during the fermentation of rice by moulds and yeasts. Compared with other alcoholic beverages, makgeolli contains high concentrations of nutrients, organic acids and 6-8% alcohol. Makgeolli is nutritious and is composed of 80% water, 2% protein, 0.8% carbohydrates, 0.1% fat and 10% dietary fibre, along with vitamins B and C, as well as a significant amount of lactobacilli and yeast. It has been reported that makgeolli has medicinal effects including antioxidant, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetes and anti-cancer activities. Since makgeolli is a good source of vitamins, minerals, sugars, proteins, organic acids and free amino acids, as well as having significant medicinal importance, it can be considered a functional, medicinal and probiotic beverage.