The climate in Indonesia is hot and humid, so much so that people there drink water throughout the day. They also consume many delicious drinks to cool down or wake up, depending on when they drink it!
The Indonesian culture has a lot of interesting drinks that are popular in their country.
What are the popular Indonesian drinks? Indonesian drinks can be found in a number of different settings, from the classic iced tea, luwak coffee, the body warmer wedang jahe, to the traditional jamu.
Here are 15 popular Indonesian drinks you should try when visiting this country.
Iced Tea
Iced tea is one of the most popular drinks in Indonesia and is usually served with lots of ice, giving it a refreshing taste on a hot day. It can be found almost everywhere and comes in many flavors, such as lemon, peach, passion fruit, and mango.
This drink is the Indonesian equivalent of what westerners may refer to as hot tea.
Fruit juice
Fruit juice is another popular drink in Indonesia and is made from a variety of different fruits, such as pineapple, banana, papaya, and watermelon. It is often served cold and can be found at most convenience stores throughout the country.
Coconut water
Fresh young coconuts are very popular in Indonesia, and they can be found all over the country.
Coconut water is often served alongside other drinks without additional charges. It tastes best when drunk fresh from a green coconut, but making it yourself at home is more difficult because of the difficulty involved in piercing into a coconut fruit with no tools or experience.
Luwak Coffee
Civet cat coffee or commonly known as luwak coffee is made from the beans of the coffee berries which have gone through the digestive tract of this Indonesian palm civet called a luwak (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) .
The process for making this type of coffee is rather complex, but it begins after farmers collect both ripe and unripe coffee cherries. The cherries are then washed, roasted and grounded before being placed in fermentation tanks with water for several days.
It is said that during this time, enzymes present in the civets’ stomach break down some carbohydrates found in the fruit pulp. Afterward, these beans will be soaked overnight in cold water to remove unwanted flavours before finally being dried and roasted.
Jamu
Jamu is a traditional Indonesian drink that is often taken as a health tonic. It is made up of a variety of ingredients, which can vary depending on the recipe, but usually includes herbs, spices, roots, and sometimes animal parts.
The most popular jamu flavours are ginger and turmeric-based drinks and they are consumed by Indonesians for a range of different reasons such as boosting energy, aiding in weight loss, improving skin complexion and maintaining good health overall.
Tuak
Tuak is an alcoholic drink that is made from the fermentation of cooked rice, sugarcane or coconut palm sap. It comes in many different flavors and can be found throughout Indonesia.
It was once considered a luxury for Indonesian royalty to enjoy tuak on special occasions, but today it has become more readily available to locals who often drink it at traditional ceremonies and celebrations such as weddings and other important events.
Wedang Jahe
Wedang jahe is a traditional drink that is popularly served in most parts of Indonesia. It can be made from both ginger and ginseng, but the former is more common.
This drink is often consumed as a hot tea and it is said to have a warming effect on the body. This makes wedang jahe perfect for consumption during cold days or when feeling feverish.
Beer
Bintang is the most popular and well-known beer in Indonesia. It is a pale lager that is brewed by PT Multi Bintang Indonesia, a subsidiary of Heineken International.
Besides Bintang, there are a few other local brands of beer that are available in Indonesia such as Anker, Diamond and Artha. All of these beers are usually served ice cold and make for a great accompaniment to spicy food dishes.
Es Cendol
Es cendol is a popular iced dessert served in many different parts of Indonesia. It’s made up of es buah, or flavored syrup, blended with finely shaved ice, corn flour noodles and gula jawa (coconut palm sugar). The sweet red color comes from the inclusion of food coloring in the syrup itself.
This creamy beverage tastes best when topped off with some jackfruit or durian, which can be found at most street stalls throughout the country.
Kopi Joss
Kopi Joss is an affordable version of Indonesian coffee which has roasted flour as one of its main ingredients. This gives kopi joss its unique dark colour and also hints at the fact that it contains no actual tea leaves or ground coffee beans whatsoever.
The coffee is usually served with a small amount of sugar and condensed milk, giving it a slightly sweet taste. This affordable drink is perfect for those who are looking to save money during their holiday in Indonesia.
Es Campur
Es campur or “mixed ice” is another popular beverage that can be found throughout the country. It features condensed milk combined with different types of local fruits such as avocado, dragon fruit, jackfruit, mangosteen and rambutan. These fruits are mixed with shaved ice and served cold.
Es campur is a great drink to enjoy on a hot day as it’s both refreshing and sweet. It can be found at most street stalls throughout Indonesia for a very reasonable price.
Teh Tarik
Teh tarik is a sweet, milky drink that is brewed with strong black tea. It is similar in taste to PG tips or English breakfast tea and can be enjoyed hot or cold depending on your preference.
Besides Indonesia, teh tarik is also popular in Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. This tea-based beverage has become so successful that some cafes have even started selling it in cans or bottles!
Bandrek
Bandrek is a traditional drink that is popular in the Bandung region of Indonesia. It is made from a mixture of ginger, coconut milk, brown sugar and spices such as cinnamon, cardamom and cloves.
This beverage is perfect for warming up your body on a cold day and is often consumed as a tea. It can also be served chilled if you prefer something cold to drink.
Sekoteng
Sekoteng is a popular Indonesian drink that can be found throughout the country in different regions. It consists of ginger, brown sugar and peanuts served in hot water with added milk or sweetened atas.
If you need to warm yourself up after being caught out in the rain during your holiday in Indonesia then sekoteng is usually one of the safest bets. While it doesn’t have caffeine, it’s still an instant energy booster that will keep you going for hours on end!
Es Jeruk
Es jeruk manis or “orange ice” is a refreshing beverage found throughout Indonesia. This sweet drink features freshly squeezed citrus juice that is combined with or without sugar and served over shaved ice.
The combination of orange and sweet flavors makes es jeruk manis a popular choice for quenching your thirst on a hot day. You can usually find this drink being sold by street vendors throughout the country.
Final Words
Indonesia is a vast country with a diverse culture and an interesting array of drinks that are sure to quench your thirst. Whether you’re looking for something hot, cold or sweet, you’ll be able to find it in Indonesia.
From beer to es cendol, these drinks are sure to refresh and tantalize your taste buds.
So the next time you find yourself in this fascinating country, make sure you try out some of its most popular drinks! Enjoy!
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