A clear spirit distilled from palm or rice wine, drunk neat or with lime and honey. Balinese households distil it from coconut or lontar palm sap, it is used in Hindu offerings, and it was legalised for regulated small producers in 2020.
Distilling requires a licence even in Bali, where regulated small production was only legalised in 2020, and Indonesia records methanol poisoning deaths from unregulated arak most years.
What goes into it
- coconut or lontar palm sap, or fermented rice
- nothing else
How it is made
Palm sap is collected and left to ferment into tuak over a day or two, then distilled in a simple still — often a drum with a bamboo condenser cooled by running water. It is sometimes distilled twice for strength, and is bottled clear without ageing.
How long it takes: a day or two to ferment, then distilling
How it is eaten
Neat, with lime and honey as arak madu, or poured on the ground in Hindu offerings.
History
Distilled by Balinese households from coconut or lontar palm sap; used in Hindu offerings and legalised for regulated small producers in 2020.
Frequently asked questions
What is Arak Bali?
Arak Bali is a wine & spirit from Indonesia: clear spirit distilled from palm or rice wine, drunk neat or with lime and honey. Distilled by Balinese households from coconut or lontar palm sap; used in Hindu offerings and legalised for regulated small producers in 2020.
How is Arak Bali made?
Palm sap is collected and left to ferment into tuak over a day or two, then distilled in a simple still — often a drum with a bamboo condenser cooled by running water. It is sometimes distilled twice for strength, and is bottled clear without ageing. It takes a day or two to ferment, then distilling.
Can I make Arak Bali at home?
No, and the atlas gives no method for it. Distilling requires a licence even in Bali, where regulated small production was only legalised in 2020, and Indonesia records methanol poisoning deaths from unregulated arak most years.
What goes into Arak Bali?
Coconut or lontar palm sap, or fermented rice, nothing else.
How is Arak Bali eaten?
Neat, with lime and honey as arak madu, or poured on the ground in Hindu offerings.
