Tongkat Ali is a healthy food ingredient used as a herbal tonic by the indigenous (Orang Asli) with a unique taste and a rich cultural history. Tongkat Ali powder extract is used in coffee, energy drinks and cocktails, bringing a historical twist to herbal tonic drink that blends a perfect symbiosis of health, modernity and tradition.
As we pay homage to the centuries of use of Tongkat Ali, AKARALI explores the boundaries of Tongkat Ali as a food ingredient by collaborating with award winning mixologists in the creation of a perfect harmony of Tongkat Ali herbal cocktails that appeals to those who dare to try something different.
This article shares some of the best Tongkat Ali cocktails, exploring the boundaries of Tongkat Ali as a herbal ingredient with added health benefits. Whether used as a garnish to enhance flavors, as a base to make something delicious, or even as a novel way to counteract the negative side-effects of alcohol, adding pure Tongkat Ali extract to your cocktail mix definitely brings a new innovative taste that will reinvigorate your senses.
Yellow Tongkat Ali, Eurycoma longifolia, or Malaysian Ginseng, is a flowering herb native to Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and some parts of Southern Thailand. It has been traditionally cultivated and used by many over the centuries as an energy tonic, aphrodisiac, and as a treatment for anything from general fever to malaria.
In the last 20 years Malaysian Tongkat Ali has been widely used as a food ingredient, supplement and even found as an active ingredient in most testosterone supplements due to decades of research and clinical studies.
This effort has turned up some amazing discoveries, balancing Tongkat Ali’s health benefits and its impact to testosterone, dopamine and cortisol. The regular Tongkat Ali root extract has been painstakingly refined over the years with the hot water extraction technology that appeals to medical professionals, scientists, herbalists and even mixologists.
The extension of Tongkat Ali’s applications in artisan cafes, bars and restaurants signify the wide range of use as a fine food ingredient. From supplementing chicken and agricultural feed to yield more delicious and healthy meat, and enhancing the benefits and flavor profile of premium coffees, Tongkat Ali’s adaptogenic immune-boosting properties have been widely reported when taken in low dosages over long duration.
In fact, our curiosity was piqued as some clinical studies indicate that it has positive effects on kidneys and that Tongkat Ali even has the ability to reduce cortisol levels, which could potentially ease the pain of hangovers due to excessive alcohol consumption.
Working with a seasoned British mixologist, Alex, who used to run the posh Cabinet bar nestled in Damansara Heights, we partnered with the experimental cocktail bar Dissolved Solids to explore Tongkat Ali’s versatility as a herbal ingredient.
Famous for its daring and avant-garde concoctions, such as coffee cocktails cloaked with grated Gouda cheese, and vermouth blended with onions, tomatoes, and laksa leaves, we believed Dissolved Solid was the best spot to explore the boundaries of our Malaysian Tongkat Ali cocktails.
Our mixologist dreamt up about half a dozen delicious concoctions after some brainstorming, but we only had enough time to create and try three. The results were both delicious and amazing:
1. Tongkat Tonic
“Elevate your spirits with the rejuvenating Tongkat Tonic, a celebration of botanicals and vitality. This exquisite blend seamlessly intertwines the earthy richness of AKARALI Tongkat Ali extract powder with the crisp embrace of gin or vodka. Enhanced by the floral elegance of elderflower liqueur and a splash of fresh lime juice, each sip is a symphony of flavors that dances on your palate. Served over ice and garnished with a sweetened dried orange slice, Tongkat Tonic is more than a drink; it’s a refreshing journey of rejuvenation.”
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2. Koffee Kick
“Awaken your senses with the luxurious Koffee Kick, a sensory journey that marries the robust smokiness of AKA Koffee with the warmth of coffee-infused vodka. The rich coffee notes intertwine with the velvety texture of coffee liqueur, creating a harmonious blend of flavors that lingers on the palate. This indulgent on-the-go tipple, elegantly dusted with AKA Koffee, is garnished with coffee beans or cacao nibs, offering a robust and flavorful masterpiece for the discerning palate.”
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3. Tongkat Tai Punch
“Experience the essence of the tropics with the vibrant and exotic Tongkat Tai Punch, a creation that fuses the potency of AKARALI Tongkat Ali extract powder with the lusciousness of dark and light rum. The tropical symphony of pineapple juice and the creamy allure of coconut cream transport your taste buds on a journey of indulgence. Finished with a splash of grenadine and garnished with a pineapple wedge and cherry, this punch is a tantalizing escape, capturing the essence of a tropical paradise in every sip.”
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4. AKA Koffee Old Fashioned
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5. Spiced Tongkat Mule
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Tongkat Ali powder extract and Tongkat Ali coffee, with its unique taste and rich cultural history, brings a distinctive flair to the world of mixology. It’s more than a novel food ingredient or a potent supplement; it’s an homage to cultural heritage in a modern context.
Our journey doesn’t end here.
As we push the boundaries of tradition and explore new avenues, we invite you to embark on your own Tongkat Ali cocktail adventure. Elevate your drinking experience with the remarkable flavors and benefits of this unique herb. It’s not just a cocktail; it’s a celebration of the extraordinary inspired from ancient herbal tonic.
If you’d like to make your own Tongkat Ali inspired cocktails or herbal mocktails, AKARALI’s Tongkat Ali powder extract is best pure extract that you can buy. Its potent extract adds extra punches, edge, character and weight to your cocktails.
You may find Tongkat Ali cocktails at the following places:
1. Dissolved Solids
43-1, Jalan SS 20/11, Damansara Kim, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
2. Sakura Den
First Floor, 24, Jalan Kampung Pasir, Kampung Pasir, 58200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
3. Native
52A, Amoy Street, Singapore, 069878
