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      Forbes Travel Guide Stories

      Drinks, Food and Wine

      Discovering Indonesia’s Perfect Pours
      By Bastien Gardrat

      December 19, 2025

      The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place
      The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place
      Go on a sipping journey through Jakarta. Credit: The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place

      Across the Indonesian archipelago, Marriott’s portfolio of luxury hotels shares a philosophy that every sip tells a story. From the cosmopolitan buzz of Jakarta to the tropical shores of Bali, The St. Regis, The Ritz-Carlton and Bvlgari express a distinct sense of belonging through their cocktails.

      It is an exploration of flavors, culture and craftsmanship that reveals Indonesia’s diversity through its most refined bars.

      Jakarta

      The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place

      The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place‘s signature welcome experience, Rasa Betawi, held in the Club Lounge, showcases the flavors, sounds and soul of the capital’s indigenous culture.

      A hostess dressed in a kebaya encim (the traditional Peranakan-Betawi outfit embroidered with bright colors) welcomes guests upon arrival with a Cincau Hijau, a refreshing drink made from green grass jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar. It is accompanied by akar Betawi, a sweet golden coconut-based, root-shaped snack. Around them, the joyful rhythm of “Jali-Jali,” a beloved Betawi folk song, fills the air.

      A few steps away, at Pa.So.La Bar & Lounge, the story continues, this time through the prism of mixology. The bar’s signature aperitif, the Pelawan, pays homage to one of Indonesia’s rarest natural treasures: the Pelawan mushroom. Found in the forests of Bangka Belitung, its rarity makes it one of the country’s most prized ingredients, with a value of nearly 4 million rupiah (roughly U.S. $240) per kilogram.

      Dried mushrooms are infused in whiskey, their earthy aroma enhanced by sweet vermouth and a touch of aromatic bitters. The result is a velvety cocktail with woody notes that’s subtle, down-to-earth and typically Indonesian.

      Through these multiple experiences, The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place transforms everyday gestures into a form of cultural storytelling. Each drink becomes a tribute to Jakarta’s identity: vibrant, diverse and constantly evolving.

      The St. Regis Jakarta
      Have a colorful experience at The St. Regis Jakarta. Credit: The St. Regis Jakarta

      The St. Regis Jakarta

      Evoking Manhattan’s golden age through a distinctly Indonesian lens, The St. Regis Bar Jakarta radiates urban sophistication. Designed by Alexandra Champalimaud, the space’s sumptuous interior glows beneath a Lasvit trumpet-shaped chandelier, while jazz performances set the mood for evenings of timeless glamour. A mural by Indonesian artist Eddy Susanto takes center stage in the space. In the piece, Javanese characters form wayang figures playing modern instruments, a poetic metaphor for the bar itself, where heritage and innovation harmonize.

      The Jakarta bar’s Bir Pletok offers an updated take on the spicy Betawi drink made with ginger, lemongrass and palm sugar. The Pelawan is an aperitif made with whiskey infused with the rare “Indonesian truffle” that tells the story of place and heritage.

      At dusk, the iconic Violet Hour ritual begins, and a theatrical martini service marks the transition from day to night.

      The St. Regis Bali Resort
      The St. Regis Bali Resort is filled with inspired pours. Credit: Ralf Tooten

      Bali

      The St. Regis Bali Resort

      At the St. Regis Bar Bali, sophistication meets spirituality. As dusk settles over the resort, a sommelier sabers champagne with an Indonesian kris, a graceful union of Western ritual and Balinese symbolism.

      Behind the bar, noted mixologist Giri Asta draws on his island roots to create drinks that pay homage to Bali’s deep sense of balance and gratitude. Winner of the Nikka Whisky Perfect Serve Southeast Asia Competition 2025, Astra champions sustainable and conscious mixology, ranging from non-alcoholic creations to herbal infusions inspired by the island’s healing traditions.

      “Being born and raised in Bali shaped my personality,” Astra said in a St. Regis press release after his big win. “Our culture is deeply spiritual. Every offering has meaning. I want people to taste that sense of gratitude and balance with every sip.”

      This philosophy comes to life just steps away at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, a lush, sustainable sanctuary built from recycled materials and maintained in collaboration with the local community. Here, the culinary and bar teams source organic herbs, aloe vera, edible flowers and even trigona honey harvested onsite from stingless bees. What grows in the garden not only feeds the kitchens, it also shapes the flavors, aromas and textures of the St. Regis Bar’s cocktails.

      The Ritz Carlton Bali
      Even the The Ritz-Carlton, Bali’s negroni is special. Credit: The Ritz-Carlton, Bali

      The Ritz-Carlton, Bali

      As the sun dips toward the horizon, guests gather at The Ritz-Carlton Lounge & Bar, an elevated and airy space overlooking the resort’s tropical gardens and the sparkling Indian Ocean in the distance. Traditional Balinese dancers glide across the dance floor with measured grace, while waitstaff explains the symbolism behind each movement, transforming the moment into an intimate cultural encounter.

      Among the bar’s specialties, the Tropic Pura captures the essence of the island in a glass. Inspired by Bali’s lush jungles and peaceful temples, this cocktail blends aromatic gin, Italian red bitters, lemon juice, pandan syrup and coconut milk, creating a creamy, bittersweet concoction that reflects the island’s duality. Each sip mixes boldness and sweetness, pairing nicely with Bali’s beautiful sunsets.

      The mixology connects guests to the land, its people and its traditions, all illuminated by a breathtaking view that stretches from the cliffs to the distant sea.

      Il Ristorante – Niko Romito
      Il Ristorante – Niko Romito embodies Italian elegance with Balinese spirit. Credit: Il Ristorante – Niko Romito

      Bvlgari Resort Bali

      Overlooking the Indian Ocean, Bvlgari Resort Bali embodies Italian elegance with Balinese spirit. Its centerpiece is Il Ristorante – Niko Romito, where the acclaimed chef brings his beloved culinary approach to a tropical setting.

      The restaurant’s I Classici and seven-course tasting menus reinterpret Italian tradition with Balinese ingredients. For example, some dishes mix saffron with turmeric while local shellfish are served with delicate broths and olive oils. Romito’s minimalist style emphasizes purity of flavor and understated luxury, making Il Ristorante one of the island’s most sophisticated dining venues.

      After dinner, guests can visit the Bvlgari Bar, a peaceful spot suspended more than 520 feet above the sea, under a traditional alang-alang roof. The cocktails reflect the spirit of the resort: elegant, elemental and infused with the local essence. From oak-aged Negronis to roselle infusions (hibiscus), the drinks are a dialogue between Italy and Bali, light and depth, sea and sky. And as night falls, the bar glows like a lantern over the ocean, offering a final toast to the island.

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      Bali Bvlgari Resort Bali Drinks Food and Wine Jakarta The Ritz-Carlton Bali The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta Pacific Place The St. Regis Bali Resort The St. Regis Jakarta
      by Bastien Gardrat 

      About Bastien Gardrat

      View all posts by Bastien Gardrat

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