A clear coconut spirit distilled from palm sap, strong and faintly sweet. It is distilled in Quezon province from tuba, production is a village industry, and it is drunk from a single shot glass passed around the group.
Unlicensed distilling is illegal in the Philippines and almost everywhere else, and the Philippines has recorded fatal methanol poisonings from unregulated lambanog — the cut is exactly what prevents that.
What goes into it
- tuba — fermented coconut palm sap
- nothing else
How it is made
Sap tapped from the coconut flower ferments into tuba within a day, and that is distilled — often twice — in a village still to a high-strength clear spirit. It is bottled unaged, sometimes with fruit steeped in it afterwards, and the strength is considerable.
How long it takes: a day to ferment, then distilling
How it is eaten
From a single shared shot glass passed around the circle, at gatherings and fiestas.
History
Distilled in Quezon province from tuba; production is a village industry and the spirit is drunk from a single shared shot glass.
Frequently asked questions
What is Lambanog?
Lambanog is a wine & spirit from Philippines: clear coconut spirit distilled from palm sap, strong and faintly sweet. Distilled in Quezon province from tuba; production is a village industry and the spirit is drunk from a single shared shot glass.
How is Lambanog made?
Sap tapped from the coconut flower ferments into tuba within a day, and that is distilled — often twice — in a village still to a high-strength clear spirit. It is bottled unaged, sometimes with fruit steeped in it afterwards, and the strength is considerable. It takes a day to ferment, then distilling.
Can I make Lambanog at home?
No, and the atlas gives no method for it. Unlicensed distilling is illegal in the Philippines and almost everywhere else, and the Philippines has recorded fatal methanol poisonings from unregulated lambanog — the cut is exactly what prevents that.
What goes into Lambanog?
Tuba — fermented coconut palm sap, nothing else.
How is Lambanog eaten?
From a single shared shot glass passed around the circle, at gatherings and fiestas.
