Malaysian-local cocktail cheat sheet.
10 Malaysian ingredients · 18 cocktails they build · dissolvedsolids.co
Pandan
daun pandan · screwpine
grassy, vanilla-adjacent, vegetal-sweet
Make: simmer 6 leaves with sugar 1:1 for syrup. Drinks: Pandan Collins (gin/lime/soda), Pandan Mojito, Pandan-Coconut Old Fashioned, Cendol Cocktail.
Gula melaka
Malaysian palm sugar
deep caramel, smoky-molasses, low-GI
Make: grate 200g, dissolve in 200ml warm water. Drinks: Gula Melaka Old Fashioned, Kopi Sour, Cendol Cocktail, Gula Melaka Espresso Martini.
Calamansi
limau kasturi · Philippine lime
tart-aromatic, between lime and orange
Make: fresh-squeeze (4-6 fruit per 30ml). Use within 2h. Drinks: Calamansi Highball, Calamansi Gimlet, Calamansi Margarita, Calamansi Mojito.
Kopi-O
Malaysian dark-roast coffee
bittersweet, dark-roasted, butter-finished
Make: cold-brew 80g grounds in 1L water, 14h. Drinks: Kopi Sour, Kopi-O Espresso Martini, Kopi Old Fashioned, Cold-Brew Kopi Highball.
Kaffir lime leaf
daun limau purut
camphor-citrus, aromatic, garden-fresh
Make: bruise + clap garnish, or syrup. Drinks: Scented Negroni (house), Kaffir G&T, Kaffir Martini, Tom Yum Cocktail.
Asam boi
preserved sour plum
salty-sour, umami-deep, candy-tart
Make: simmer 200g with sugar/water for syrup. Drinks: Asam Boi Margarita, Asam Boi Sour, Asam Boi Bloody Mary.
Hibiscus (roselle)
bunga roselle · flor de Jamaica
tart-floral, cranberry-adjacent, deep red
Make: simmer 40g dried with sugar 1:1. Drinks: Roselle Spritz, Hibiscus Margarita, Hibiscus Old Fashioned, NA Roselle Spritz.
Lemongrass
serai
citrus-grass, gingery edge, clean
Make: bruise 4 stalks, simmer with sugar. Drinks: Lemongrass Gin Fizz, Lemongrass Mojito, Lemongrass-Ginger Highball, Lemongrass Margarita.
Bunga kantan
torch ginger flower
spicy-floral, rose-meets-ginger
Make: slice 1 bud, simmer 8 min, syrup. Drinks: Bunga Kantan Gimlet, Bunga Kantan Martini, Laksa-Inspired Cocktail.
Butterfly pea
bunga telang
subtle earthy, vivid blue, pH-reactive
Make: steep 10 dried flowers in hot water. Drinks: Galaxy Gin Tonic (changes colour with lime), Blue Pea Lemonade, Layered Tom Collins.