Bottoms Up! 12 Bali Drinks You Shouldn’t Miss Out On

Bali, Indonesia is known for being warm and sunny almost all-year round. But aside from its warm weather and incredible natural scenery, it's also a cultural destination with plenty of religious landmarks and cultural traditions—some of these traditions are even shown through their cooking, even their drinks.

Welcome to the colourful and tropical world of Bali's drinks! Bali has something for every taste bud, whether you're looking for a thirst-quenching escape from the tropical heat or are anxious to savour the island's unique flavours. The beverage culture in Bali is an adventure in and of itself, offering everything from traditional drinks and beachside booze. 

If you wanna eat your way through Bali, then keep reading to find out how to get to know more of Bali through its cuisine, specifically its drinks!

For a guide to Balinese food and which restaurants to visit, keep scrolling to read our guide.

Whether you like a cold drink by the beach or a warm cuppa in the morning, there's a drink on this list for you! Here are 12 Bali drinks to help you fully immerse in Balinese beverage culture and maybe try something new:

This is one of the most popular Bali drinks there is, and it can be found in nearly all local restaurants! Balinese Kuwut Ice is made from coconut mixed with different fresh fruits like cantaloupe or melon. Lime juice is also added for a slightly sour kick to balance the fruits' sweetness. Kuwut Ice is actually the choice drink for lounging by the beach under the sun, thanks to its refreshing taste. You can bring back a piece of Bali when you get back home to Aussie shores!

Find out the best Bali beach clubs to chill at for a drink or two with our quick guide.

Daluman Ice, also known as Es Cincau, is a Bali drink that not only tastes good but is also good for you. It's green grass jelly (made from the cincau plant) mixed with coconut milk and palm sugar. The green jelly is high in fibre, contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, so it helps regulate your bowel movements, and has very little calories—drink up!

This traditional drink from Penglipuran Village provides several health benefits. Loloh Cemcem Ice helps in reducing high blood pressure, improves digestion, and is especially good for moms who are breast-feeding. To make this drink, Cemcem leaves are combined with several other plants, such as jatropha leaves, betel leaves, and dapdap leaves, as well as cinnamon and liquid palm sugar.

Cemcem leaves have a slight bitter taste, which is why sugar is added, but some also add coconut meat to add more flavour. Unfortunately, Loloh Cemcem Ice isn't as accessible as other local drinks and is mostly only available in the Penglipuran Village, but there are so many healthy reasons to try it that we think the trip for a bottle or two will be worth it!

Jamu originated in Java 1,300 years ago and is known to be a traditional herbal drink that helps with all kinds of health conditions! It's a simple mix of turmeric, ginger, honey, tamarind, and lime juice with the addition of certain ingredients, like cinnamon or bee larvae, depending on the specific ailment it's being used for. But if you're just intrigued and want a taste, drink a cup of Jamu after some exercise for anti-inflammatory benefits.

Other health benefits of Jamu include improving energy, boosting circulation, strengthening immunity, and lowering cholesterol.

Kopi Luwak is one of the most expensive coffees in the world, but not for the reason you think.

Also known as Civet Coffee, this Bali drink is made up of partially digested coffee cherries, which have been eaten and defecated by the Asian palm civet. What makes this drink so expensive is that civets tend to be picky when eating cherries, but once they're eaten, the cherries are fermented through digestion. Once they've been defecated, they are collected, washed, dried, and prepped for roasting. This process actually has an effect on the coffee's taste and aroma, so don't knock it 'till you try it!

Balinese coffee is made from very finely ground coffee that's covered and left to steep in hot water. It's got a rich and robust taste with a very strong, but delicious aroma. But what makes Kopi Bali so special? Bali coffee beans are usually grown on volcanic soils, which provide a rich source of nutrients, and this is where the coffee's woody and earthy flavours come from!

Kintamani coffee is a must-try in Bali; it's so popular that tourists typically bring home bags of beans as souvenirs. This coffee is made of 100% Arabica beans from the Northern Highlands. The beans are cultivated in an area between Mount Batukaru and Mount Agung where farmers use a natural and organic farming method called Subak Abian. The farming system is based on the Hindu belief in the connection between God, man, and nature. The idea is that if the environment is happy, as in the fewer chemicals are used, the better the production of coffee. Kintamani coffee is low in caffeine and has a slight acidity. Its strong and sweet aroma will defo lure you into taking a sip!

A traditional Bali drink you shouldn't miss out on is Brem. This ceremonial wine has been a part of Indonesian culture since the year 1000. It's made from fermented glutinous rice that's soaked, drained, steamed, cooled, and protected by Ragi tape. After adding a yeast culture, the alcohol is left to ferment for two weeks, then comes out either white or red and tastes sweet to semi-sweet. Brem is used in certain Hinduist temple ceremonies called Tetabuhan as an offering to the gods.

Arak is the most affordable alcoholic beverage in Bali and is usually used for mixing cocktails, but it can also be drunk neat or even with soda. It's made from the distilled fermented sap of coconut or palm trees and has an alcoholic content ranging from 20% to 50%—so definitely be careful when drinking this on a night out, but you can otherwise enjoy Bali's nightlife with no problem!

Klook Tip: Make sure to order high-quality Arak and only from respectable establishments or distributors.

For locals and tourists, Bintang Beer is the way to go. This pale lager is a Balinese favourite and can be found almost anywhere. This cold beverage has an alcoholic content of 4.7% and is perfect for the tropical paradise that is Bali!

Fun fact: the producer of Bintang Beer is co-owned by Heineken, that's why it tastes almost similar and even resembles Heineken. You can find Bintang Beer at almost all of the bars in Bali!

Another beer you need to try to sip like a local is Bali Hai. It's a Munich lager brewed by an independent Indonesian brand that boasts a crisp taste with fruity and floral notes. It comes in four variants depending on what you prefer to drink by the beach, at the bar, or as you're adventuring through the island: Bali Hai Premium, Draft Beer, Indonesian Pale Ale El Diablo, and Panther Black.

Stark Craft Beer is Bali's first craft beer, plus it's also the only premium craft beer actually made on the island. Stark is known for using only the highest level of ingredients, including pure spring water from Batu Karu mountain. Stark beers come in different flavours to suit everyone's tastes; try out wheat, dark wheat, mango ale, lychee ale, low carb, and Indonesian pale ale.

Wanna know where to get a sip of these beers? Check out our guide to the best of bars in Bali for great food, drinks and great vibes.

Thirsty for a Balinese adventure? Which drink are you most intrigued by? Book your tickets to try these Bali drinks—and their food, of course—as soon as you can! We guarantee you won't regret pairing your tropical holiday with a Kuwut Ice or a Bintang Beer; locals do love these drinks for a reason!