Traditional Indonesian Drink Recipes: Discover the Taste of Indonesia in Every Sip

When people think about Indonesia, they often picture its scenic beaches, lush rice fields, or mouth-watering street food. But there’s another part of Indonesian culture that deserves equal appreciation — its traditional drink recipes. From cooling coconut blends to aromatic herbal tonics, Indonesian beverages are as rich and diverse as the country’s many islands and cultures.

These drinks are more than just refreshments; they carry cultural stories, ancient healing traditions, and tropical creativity passed down through generations. So, if you’re ready to explore the sweet, spicy, and refreshing world of Traditional Indonesian Drink Recipes, let’s dive right in!

1. Es Cendol – The Sweet Green Delight

One of the most popular and beloved drinks in Indonesia is Es Cendol, known in some regions as Dawet. This sweet, chilled beverage is made from coconut milk, palm sugar syrup, and tiny green jelly noodles made from rice flour and pandan leaves.

It’s the ultimate tropical refresher — sweet, creamy, and with a fun chewy texture that makes every sip satisfying.

Ingredients:

• 100g rice flour
  
• 50g mung bean flour (optional for softness)
  
• 700ml water
  
• 1 tsp pandan essence or extract from blended pandan leaves
  
• 200ml coconut milk
  
• 100ml palm sugar syrup
  
• Crushed ice or shaved ice
  

How to Make:

1. Mix the flours with water and pandan essence in a pot.
   
2. Cook over low heat while stirring until it thickens into a sticky paste.
   
3. Use a cendol strainer or a slotted spoon to drop the mixture into a bowl of cold water, forming small green jelly noodles.
   
4. Combine the jelly with coconut milk and palm sugar syrup in a glass.
   
5. Add ice, mix gently, and enjoy!
   

This drink is not just tasty but also visually appealing — a perfect representation of Indonesian creativity.

2. Es Teler – Indonesia’s Fruit Cocktail Drink

If you’re looking for a drink that doubles as dessert, Es Teler is your answer. The name literally means “drunk ice,” but don’t worry — there’s no alcohol here! The “drunk” feeling comes from how happy and full you feel after drinking it.

This colorful concoction combines tropical fruits, coconut milk, and sweetened condensed milk, creating a creamy, fruity explosion in every spoonful.

Ingredients:

• 1 avocado (sliced)
  
• 1 young coconut (shredded)
  
• 5–6 slices of ripe jackfruit
  
• 150ml coconut milk
  
• 100ml sweetened condensed milk
  
• Sugar syrup (to taste)
  
• Crushed or shaved ice
  

Instructions:

1. In a glass or bowl, layer avocado, coconut, and jackfruit.
   
2. Pour in coconut milk and condensed milk.
   
3. Add syrup and a generous scoop of ice.
   
4. Mix well before serving.
   

Every spoonful gives you a different fruit flavor — sweet, creamy, and absolutely refreshing.

3. Wedang Jahe – The Healing Ginger Tea

Indonesia isn’t all about cold drinks. On cooler evenings or rainy days, locals love sipping on Wedang Jahe, a hot ginger-based herbal tea believed to have powerful health benefits.

It’s warm, aromatic, and slightly spicy — perfect for soothing the throat, improving circulation, and calming the body.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups water
  
• 2-inch fresh ginger (crushed)
  
• 2 tbsp palm sugar or honey
  
• 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
  
• 2 cloves (optional)
  

Instructions:

1. Boil water and add ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
   
2. Let it simmer for 10–15 minutes until fragrant.
   
3. Add palm sugar or honey to sweeten.
   
4. Strain and serve hot.
   

This drink is a traditional home remedy in many Indonesian families — comforting and naturally therapeutic.

4. Es Campur – The Colorful Ice Dessert

Es Campur translates to “mixed ice,” and that’s exactly what this drink is — a mix of fruits, jellies, and syrups. It’s vibrant, fun, and a must-have during the hot season or Ramadan.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup grass jelly (cut into cubes)
  
• ½ cup agar jelly or nata de coco
  
• ½ cup tropical fruits (mango, jackfruit, or banana)
  
• 2 tbsp condensed milk
  
• 200ml coconut milk
  
• Shaved ice
  
• Rose or cocopandan syrup
  

Instructions:

1. Combine all fruits and jellies in a bowl.
   
2. Add condensed milk and coconut milk.
   
3. Top with ice and drizzle syrup for color.
   
4. Stir and enjoy your cooling dessert!
   

Es Campur is a cheerful explosion of textures and flavors — every bite is a surprise.

You may also like it:

Traditional Coconut Desserts of Indonesia – A Complete Guide

Herbal Beverages from Indonesia – Traditional Healing Drinks

Cheap and Tasty Indonesian Food You Must Try

Easy Traditional Indonesian Dishes at Home

5. Bajigur – The Cozy Coconut Drink

From the highlands of West Java comes Bajigur, a warm, comforting drink made from coconut milk, palm sugar, and spices. It’s often enjoyed in the evening, especially during the rainy season.

Ingredients:

• 500ml coconut milk
  
• 3 tbsp palm sugar
  
• 1 small piece of ginger (sliced)
  
• 1 pandan leaf
  
• A pinch of salt
  

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a pot.
   
2. Simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes.
   
3. Strain and serve warm.
   

It’s creamy, aromatic, and slightly spicy — the perfect drink to relax with after a long day.

6. Es Kelapa Muda – The Natural Hydrator

This is one of Indonesia’s simplest yet most refreshing drinks — Es Kelapa Muda, or young coconut ice. It’s naturally hydrating and full of electrolytes, making it perfect for tropical weather.

Ingredients:

• 1 young coconut (water and flesh)
  
• 1 tbsp sugar syrup or honey
  
• Ice cubes
  
• Lime wedge (optional)
  

Instructions:

1. Pour coconut water into a glass and add the coconut flesh.
   
2. Add syrup or honey to sweeten.
   
3. Serve with ice and lime.
   

It’s nature’s sports drink — simple, pure, and revitalizing.

7. Bir Pletok – Jakarta’s Spiced Non-Alcoholic Drink

Despite its name (“bir” means beer), Bir Pletok is a completely non-alcoholic herbal drink from the Betawi people of Jakarta. It’s a mix of warming spices like ginger, cinnamon, and lemongrass, known for boosting energy and circulation.

Ingredients:

• 1 liter water
  
• 2-inch ginger (sliced)
  
• 2 lemongrass stalks
  
• 2 cinnamon sticks
  
• 3 cloves
  
• 3 pandan leaves
  
• 2 tbsp sugar
  
• A few drops of red food coloring (optional)
  

Instructions:

1. Boil all ingredients for 20–25 minutes.
   
2. Strain and serve hot or cold.
   

It’s spicy, aromatic, and beautifully colored — perfect for health-conscious drinkers.

8. Es Doger – The Pink Coconut Dessert Drink

If you love creamy, sweet, and colorful treats, Es Doger is a must-try. Originating from Bandung, this pink dessert drink combines fermented cassava (tape singkong), black sticky rice, and coconut milk.

Ingredients:

• 200ml coconut milk
  
• 2 tbsp condensed milk
  
• ½ cup fermented cassava (tape singkong)
  
• ½ cup black sticky rice
  
• Red syrup (rose or cocopandan)
  
• Shaved ice
  

Instructions:

1. Mix coconut milk and condensed milk.
   
2. Add cassava, sticky rice, and syrup.
   
3. Top with shaved ice and stir.
   

It’s sweet, tangy, and creamy — a true Indonesian comfort in a glass.

The Heart Behind Traditional Indonesian Drinks

What makes traditional Indonesian drink recipes so special isn’t just their taste — it’s the culture and values behind them.

Many of these drinks were originally created for balance — cooling the body in the tropical heat or warming it during the monsoon. Ingredients like ginger, pandan, palm sugar, and coconut are deeply tied to local traditions, symbolizing health, hospitality, and harmony with nature.

When you prepare or share these drinks, you’re not just enjoying a beverage — you’re tasting Indonesia’s heritage in every sip.

Conclusion: Sip the Spirit of Indonesia

From the icy sweetness of Es Cendol to the healing warmth of Wedang Jahe, each drink tells its own story. Indonesia’s traditional drinks bring people together — whether it’s a family gathering, a market day, or a quiet moment of relaxation.

So next time you want something new, skip the soda and try one of these Traditional Indonesian Drink Recipes at home. You’ll not only enjoy unique flavors but also experience a piece of Indonesia’s soul.

FAQs About Traditional Indonesian Drink Recipes