Giving New Meaning to the Word “Beer”
It’s Bir Pletok. Or Pletok Beer. It’s Batavian spiced drink. Not “the beer” you usually have friday night 
It’s a beer for people like me, who love cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, clove, lemongrass, cardamom, and all the magic healing aroma of spices around the world.Do not expect any alcohol. In fact, the only high you’ll get from drinking this, is only the high of rememberance of old time when spices were gold and whoever ruled spices was the king of the world.
The Famous Secang Wood
The flavor and smell was so strong it immediately kicks my afternoon laziness. The heat it produced brought comforting warmth I need before going to bed at night. Threw in some ice cubes and I was ready to have a picnic the Famous Five way (remember Julian, Dick, Anne, George, Timmy?).
For those of you who don’t really like spiced things, or are not used to herbal things, or are not sure if you’ll like it, I’m sorry I have to advice you to stay away from this drink.
This, is for hard core
spice & herb freaks only.
spice & herb freaks only.
You have been warned.
Pletok Beer(source: Indosiar)
1,5 litre water
350 gr sugar
250 gr ginger, peeled, sliced, bruised
30 gr secang wood
3 kaffir leaves
3 sticks of lemongrass, bruised
10 cloves
10 cm cinnamon stick
1 whole nutmeg, bruise
3 pandan leaves, tear into big pieces
3 whole cardamoms
How-to:
- The original recipe tells you to boil all the ingredients together, but I like to simmer them all without sugar on very low heat for quite some time (about 1 hour) to make sure all the spices give everything best they have to the unsweetened water.
- Let them cool, then add sugar or honey just before serving, so I can control the sweetness to my own preference.
You can do the original way or just do like I did. Or invent your own way, although I don’t see much more else you can do about it.
To spices! Cheers!
Comment by Vania — September 10, 2007 @ 5:56 pm
Mbak Ri, tahun lalu gw mampir ke Bango Food Festival di Lap Banteng. Target utama pengen nyobain minuman satu ini. Sayang, antrinya ‘keterlaluan’… kudu ngantri beli ‘voucher’ dulu, trus ngatri di tempat makanan ybs. Akhirnya pulang tanpa sempet nyobain apa2
. Masih penasaran ama minuman satu ini. Mbak, tau gak dimana tukang jualan minuman ginian? Yg ala ‘emang2′ gitu, biasanya kerasa lebih original 
. ~alesan bgt, sebenarnya males bikin ajah.
Comment by ruri — September 10, 2007 @ 9:36 pm
Ri, penampilan si secang wood kayak gimana seh?
Lima Sekawan? Wuah… buku cerita paporit tuh, ampe ngimpi ngimpi berkemah di pulau Kirin sambil minum ginger ale hihihiiii.
mong omong, ginger ale rasanya gimana yak?
Comment by Issele — September 11, 2007 @ 9:45 pm
hi..
I am Malaysian, I read ur blog coincidently while searching “butter cream” thingy.Your writing is really awesome.I love to read them.You have built my interest to cooking!Thanks!
Comment by Dwiana — September 12, 2007 @ 1:52 am
who doesn’t like spice? most people do, at least I do:) Something new that I shall try, thanks:)
Comment by amasya — September 12, 2007 @ 10:57 am
Makasih banget boleh copy & coba resep2nya.Udah 3 bulan terakhir ini aku jadi seneng masak. Kalau gagal aku coba lagi. Bukankah harus begitu.
Kamu sudah membuat orang lain bahagia & pahalanya cuma Allah SWT yang tahu. Thx a lot friend.
Comment by rinnchan — September 13, 2007 @ 6:49 am
Salam Ramadhan buat Riana,
Semoga beroleh lebih kesejahteraan dan keberkatan sepanjang menunaikan ibadah puasa di bulan mulia ini.
Comment by arfi — September 13, 2007 @ 10:55 pm
loooovveeee spices!! met puasa ya, ri. hugs.
Comment by Indah — September 14, 2007 @ 3:34 pm
Sama bandrek saudara kandung ato sebangsa setanah air rasanya..he..he…
Comment by Anh — September 16, 2007 @ 7:12 pm
How lovely! I will make this when my Muslim friends come over. Thank you for sharing…
Comment by Pepy — September 17, 2007 @ 9:35 am
Nyari kayu sencang nehh yg gak ada
disini ada jenis ginger beer khas caribbean yg ini juga gak ada alkoholnya
Comment by small cookie — September 19, 2007 @ 5:27 pm
All my favourite spices. Definitely going to try this. Thanks
Comment by Cakespy — September 28, 2007 @ 9:16 am
What!?!? This sounds amazing. A drink that has cardamom in it is definitely a welcome addition in my home. What a great recipe as the days are getting cooler!
Comment by Lia — September 29, 2007 @ 10:41 am
huahahahahaha… iyah limun jahe, daging asap, sandwich telur, apalagi yak? mmmhhh…. kangen. ama trio detektip juga, sayang trio detektip pelit crita makanan
Comment by pixen — December 6, 2007 @ 3:46 am
helloooo, really love your blogs. Thank you so much for sharing the recipes and also a look into the Indonesian culture!
Btw..where can i find this Kayu Secang? Is there any online shops that sell this stuff? Perhaps you can help me sourcing this product?
Thanks & have great week!
pixen
Comment by we-i — March 7, 2008 @ 4:15 pm
aku pertama kali nyoba bir pletok di cagar budaya betawi di srengseng sawah. udah pernah ke sana? Di sana banyak yang jual bir pletok ini, tapi yang udah dibotolin.
Btw, I love ur blog. Keep writing ya,, ^__^