3 Traditional Drinks from Indonesia

1. Pletok Beer, Typical of the Betawi People



In Indonesia, not all beer is alcoholic, you know. Can't believe it? Try stopping at a Betawi-style restaurant and order a cup of Pletok beer. This red spice drink can warm the body and is perfect for drinking when relaxed or when you are tired. The ingredients are 85% natural from spices, while the rest is water and sugar. However, why is the name pletok beer? Once upon a time, the Dutch nobility liked to get together casually after coming home from work. In the midst of casual chatting, they usually drink beer to release fatigue and fatigue. Well, the Betawi people don't want to be outdone by the lifestyle of the landlord. Because they couldn't enjoy the Dutch beer, they finally made their own concoction.

This concoction is obtained from various spices around them, one of which is sappan wood which causes the color to turn red. Initially, this pletok beer was served warm. But over time, this spice-rich drink was sold in bamboo containers and served with ice cubes. Well, the word "pletok" comes from the sound of ice cubes meeting hot wedang. The taste of pletok beer is very distinctive: a blend of fragrant, spicy and sweet spices plus the distinctive flavors of several other spices. This pletok beer is usually sold in Betawi-style restaurants, street vendors in certain places, and is also served at weddings or circumcisions.

2. Wedang Ronde, Hot Drink from Central Java



Wedang Ronde is a boiled ginger drink, which contains rounds, nuts, fruit and fro and pieces of bread. The main raw material for making rounds is glutinous rice flour mixed with water and then kneaded. Once smooth, balls are made with roasted peanuts in them. The wedang round sauce comes from a mixture of palm sugar water, spices and ginger, which is what causes drinking ginger to warm the body.

The usual way of serving it is to put it in a medium-sized bowl, then add the round filling mixed with roasted peanuts, kolang kaling, white bread that has been cut into small pieces and then doused with ginger sugar sauce. Wedang Ronde has a texture and taste similar to mochi but not sticky.

3. Bandrek, Typical of West Java with a Strong Lemongrass Sensation


Bandrek is a typical Sundanese drink which is consumed by many people. Bandrek is usually consumed in cold weather to increase body warmth. Known as a traditional drink, bandrek is made with the basic ingredients of ginger and brown sugar. It looks simple, but there is a history behind the popularity of bandrek as a drink that has many benefits. Besides being able to warm the body, bandrek also has other health benefits. The content of ginger in bandrek can relieve inflammation and help relieve symptoms of cough, flu, fever, nausea, dizziness and joint pain.