Shaken, stirred, blended or muddled - however you like your cocktails, there's no shortage of mixology magic in Bali... Bottoms up!
Welcome to our round-up of the most mouth-watering cocktails in Bali: from fancy mixologists and tropical ingredients, to sunset-worshipping, five-star settings, this is the island’s A-List. Whether you’re into Mojitos, Margaritas or a strong Negroni on the rocks, sipping a cocktail (or six) is a pretty lovely way to spend your holiday in Bali, and there’s no shortage of stunning sunset bars to sip the night away. So to help you curb your cocktail cravings, we thought we’d road-test the best and bring your this cocktail crawl across the island – oh, the things we do for you!
BALI’S BEST COCKTAILS
Flower Mojito at Woobar – Seminyak
Few places in Bali scream fabulousness as much as this iconic, beach-front bar at W Bali – Seminyak. With cool tunes every day, uber-cool vibe and an Insta-friendly beach backdrop, it’s the perfect place to sip an afternoon away with delish cocktails on tap. There’s too many to choose from, but a personal fave is their Flower Mojito made with light rum, lime, mint, coconut water and flower cordial – finished off with a sprinkling of pretty petals.
Woobar at W Bali – Seminyak, Jl Petitenget, Seminyak, p. +62 361 3000106, e. whotels.bali@whotels.com.
Jalapeño Margarita at Lacasita Fonda Mexicana – Ubud
With Mexican joints popping up all over the shop these days, the humble Margarita has been reinvented on countless occasions the world over. But forget the sugared plums, the lavender and don’t even talk to us about the orange salted caramel, because wild ingredients need not make an appearance when a bit of Jalepeño-infused spice added to the old classic sends us into fits of tequila-induced hysteria. And of course, the best spicy margarita in Bali can be found at the three Laca locations: at Lacalaca Cantina Mexicana in Seminyak, Lacalita Bar y Cocina in Canggu, and our recent fave, Lacasita Fonda Mexicana in Ubud. Top tip: swing by for the nightly happy hours between 5 and 7pm.
Lacasita Fonda Mexicana, Jl Sri Wedari No. 4, Ubud, p. +62 822 4784 7216, e. info@lacalacabali.com.
Raspberry Gin at The Lawn – Canggu
The Lawn is Canggu’s boho beach club and barfly favourite that brings in crowds of beautiful people, lounging beneath boho umbrellas and soaking up Batu Bolong’s hipster surf scene. Their stylish house-infused cocktails are also a draw card, with tropical twists on classic concoctions, like the Spiced Colada or Kelapa Mojito. Our fave? try the Raspberry Gin with a citrus-infused Bali arak, raspberyy puree, lemon juice and a sweet sugar syrup – best enjoyed with a front-row seat to a blissful Bali sunset.
The Lawn, Jl Pura Dalem, Canggu, p. +62 361 335 1055, e. hello@thelawncanggu.com. Open daily 10am – 11pm.
Bali Pimms at Potato Head Beach Club – Seminyak
Where do we possibly start at the cocktail and beach club mecca of Bali? Well, we usually begin with Potato Head’s most popular numbers, like the bright and herbaceous Kookaburra with its passionfruit foam, and the rich and velvety Nanas Colada that just screams paradise island. But our all-time go-to? It has to be the spiced and fruity Bali Pimms, with lemongrass-infused gin, passionfruit, pineapple tepache and bar-made pink ginger beer to top it all off. A beautiful crown of tropical fruits finishes this fresh concoction off with an island-style touch.
Potato Head Beach Club, Jl Petitenget No 51B, Seminyak, p. +62 361 473 7979, e. phbc.reservation@pttfamily.com.
Wild Turkey Negroni at 40 Thieves – Seminyak
If you wanna know where Bali’s in-the-know expats are hiding out every weekend, head to the smoky confines of 40 Thieves – a New York-style speakeasy serving world-class cocktails by award-winning bartenders. One of our faves here is their twist on the classic Negroni, which swaps out the typical gin base for a bold and structured Bourbon – Wild Turkey, no less. Add to that a dash of Cynar (Italian bitters made from artichokes) as well as Carparno Antica Formula, a super premium sweet vermouth with some serious body. If that wasn’t enough, this Negroni is “thrown” rather than stirred, to aerate, chill and keep it nice and strong. No diluted deals here, just a bold and sexy version that’s arguably even better than the original.
40 Thieves, Jl. Petitenget No. 7, Petitenget, Seminyak, +62 878 6226 7657.
Butterfly Pea Martini at Mama San – Seminyak
One of our absolute fave bars to prop up in Bali (not to mention the restaurant, which has always been our go-to for a fabulous dinner date) Mama San has become a household name here in Bali – one of the first island icons to introduce epic Asian food and top-notch cocktails to our feasting rituals. We regularly sip on Mama San’s famous Negronis, as well as their Strawberry Basil Spritz that uses rose water, vanilla and Prosecco, but is there’s one reason why we’re obsessed with this gourmet name, it’s the beautiful and elegant Butterfly Pea Martini that infuses a touch of floral magic to the classic. You’ve just got to try it.
Mama San, Jl Raya Kerobokan No.135, Seminyak, p. +62 813 3942 3033.
Bloom of Sundara at Sundara Beach Club – Jimbaran
Jimbaran’s beachfront, infinity-pooled stunner is without doubt one of Bali’s best sunset bars, and with such a serious rep must come serious cocktails. At Sundara Beach Club, you can earn a qualification in cocktail history by sipping your way through different Indonesian eras and graduation levels: earn a Diploma by sipping on four different cocktails, or a Masters Degree when you add one tapas plate to each drink. Their house-infused Arak cocktails are all sure-fire winners, but our forever-fave has to be the signature Bloom of Sundara – a tropical masterpiece made with vodka, lemon and passionfruit, and the perfect accompaniment to a shimmering sunset.
Sundara Beach Club at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay, Jimbaran, p. +62 361 701 010, e. sundara.bali@fourseasons.com.
The Lossie Haze at The Howff – Nusa Lembongan
As if we need more reason to hop over to Nusa Lembongan, The Howff is a secret whiskey & gin bar with views to die for, tucked away under The Deck and overlooking turquoise ocean and the majestic Mount Agung. It also happens to serve some of our very fave tipples, namely the Countess of Ross, and The Lossie Haze, made with Glen Moray Speyside whiskey to add smoothness to this hazy, smoke and wood-plank infused cocktail. A homemade orange peel syrup and Angostura bitters add a zesty twist to this liquid ode to Scotland.
The Howff ~ Whisky, Gin & Wine Bar, Batu Karang Lembongan Resort, Nusa Lembongan, p. +62 366 5596377, e. info@batukaranglembongan.com.
Black Magic Woman at Sling Bar – Seminyak
Don’t leave Bali without trying Sling Bar’s list of rock n’ roll cocktails, all of which are as punchy and potent as the rockstars they personify! Our fave is the “Black Magic Woman” – doesn’t it sound enticing?! Named after Santana’s rock hit, it’s an elegant Martini-style cocktail with a rum base; a sultry little number infused with botanical ingredients, spicy syrups and a healthy balance of baseline earthiness. All of that, topped off with a layer of white foam. This one’s a real stunner. Top tip: pair your visit to Sling Bar with a fabulous fine dining feast at The Plantation Grill downstairs.
Sling Bar at The Plantation Grill at Double-Six Luxury Hotel, No. 66, Double Six Beach, Seminyak, Bali, p. +62 361 734 300, e. reservations@plantationgrillbali.com.
The Bali Mary at The St. Regis Bali Resort – Nusa Dua
Did you know that in 1934, bartender Fernand Petiot arrived at The St. Regis New York, bringing with him the recipe for a unique vodka and tomato juice cocktail that he perfected at the King Cole Bar? Now a staple tipple, the Bloody Mary remains the signature cocktail of St. Regis resorts today, and their Bali address proudly presents this legendary classic with a tropical Balinese twist. Introducing: The Bali Mary. This iconic cocktail uses Jicama (a traditional favourite fruit in Indonesia) and refreshing cucumber in a unique recipe that transports you back to the flavours of Indonesia’s early years. It’s mixed with Absolut pepper vodka, jicama, cucumber, brown sugar, tomato juice, lemon and a variety of spices – best enjoyed with The St. Regis’ famous Sunday brunches.
The St. Regis Bali Resort, Kawasan Pariwisata, Lot S6, Nusa Dua Bali, p. +62 361 8478111.
Revolver Martini at Hank’s Pizza & Liquor – Seminyak
What happens when you take the island’s favourite Revolver cold-drip coffee, throw in a kick of alcohol (vodka and kahlua), and shake it up behind the bar of the coolest pizza place in town? An espresso martini like no other, that’s what! The Revolver Martini at Hank’s Pizza & Liquor is best served alongside the home made chocolate chip cookie and ice-cream sandwich, or of course, one of their kick-ass pizzas, all names after rockstars (our fave is the Lennon, FYI).
Hank’s Pizza & Liquor, Jl Kayu Aya No. 27X (second floor), Oberoi, Seminyak, p. +62 361 4741 096, e. info@hankspizza.co.
Tiki in the Jungle at Jungle Fish – Ubud
Forget going to Ubud for a detox and a chakra cleanse. The modern era of Ubud is seeing us indulge in decedent produce and glamorous venues that make the most of the incredible jungle setting. Jungle Fish is the absolute pinnacle of this, with their infinity pool restaurant launching into a valley and offering something of a beach club yet amongst the trees. We suggest a day of never-ending “Tiki in the Jungle” cocktails, made with gin, tequila, local guava, lime and Absinthe on fire – ooh la la!
Jungle Fish, Jl Raya Sebali, Ubud, p. +62 361 898 9104, e. reservations@junglefishbali.com.
Burnt Orange Chocopolitan at Rock Bar – Jimbaran
Everything about Rock Bar and its cocktails, food and setting is out of this world, hence its world fame. No matter what you choose here, you can’t really go wrong, but we love their versions of the Martini. They have a Burnt Orange Chocopolitan that consists of vodka, burnt orange liqueur, Kintamani orange jelly Crème de Cacao and emulsified egg white, not to mention the lineup of standouts on the Rock Stars menu. All of this is best consumed with those Rock Bar sunset views…
Rock Bar at Ayana Resort, Jl Karang Mas Sejahtera, Jimbaran, p. +62 361 702 222.
Rock Star Bloody Mary at Sea Circus – Seminyak
Double Absolut vodka, tomato juice, homemade horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, tabasco, coriander and pepper served with a celery juice ice cube and a celery salt rim – now THAT is how you make a Bloody Mary. Sea Circus is one of the only venues in Bali where it feels completely acceptable – even a little classy – to down an alcoholic beverage before 10am. And for that, we are eternally indebted to them. Their Cranberry Cosmo is another winner.
Sea Circus. Jl Kayu Aya No. 22 A, Petitenget, Seminyak, p. +62 361 738 667, e. ringmaster@seacircus.com.
Bottoms up, Honeys!
