At Malis in Siem Reap, we don’t just cook food, we also muddle it. But sometimes we shake it, and sometimes we just stir it. And we’re not talking about what’s in our pots and pans. Our (new!) acting general manager, Taing Lundy, is something of a cocktail man, and it struck him one day that perhaps something could be done with the special flavours of Cambodian cuisine to represent them in a truly new light. And thus the unique and delicious Malis Siem Reap signature cocktails were born. 

Of course, we’d love to see you in the Chhatra Lounge where you can enjoy one of these fabulous drinks in style — come in on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday for some live music and our bar-side snack buffet. But we also thought we shouldn’t keep something this good all to ourselves and you should be able to enjoy it at home too — especially when the rains set in! 

Rooted in the flavours of one of Cambodia’s iconic dishes, sweet & sour soup, the Malis Sweet & Sour cocktail integrates its ingredients and tangy elements to create a variation on the classic mojito that stands in a class all of its own.

To make it, you need: 

• 60ml white rum
• 50g tamarind paste
• 20g palm sugar
• 10g sweet basil
• 1-2 kaffir lime leaf
• 1 lemongrass stalk
• 330ml soda water 

Put the basil into the glass and crush with a muddler. Add the tamarind paste and palm sugar and muddle again to mix well. Add the lime leaf and crush lightly with the muddler. Fill the glass almost to the top with ice. Pour over the rum, then top up with the soda. Garnish with the lemongrass stalk. 

Now there’s no excuse not to try it. 

Sante!