What is "bandrek"

Bandrek is a traditional hot, sweet and spicy beverage native to Sundanese of West Java, Indonesia. The Sundanese people who live in the cool, highlands consume bandrek to warm themselves at night and during cold weather.

This hot beverage is made of a mixture of jahe ( ginger) essence, gula merah ( palm sugar) and kayu manis ( cinnamon). Other ingredients such as, star anise, cloves, coriander seeds, cardamom pods, lemongrass, and sometimes a small amount of black pepper maybe added.. Milk can be added or not, depending on one’s taste. Sweetened condensed milk or coconut milk is commonly used.

It is believed that bandrek has a healing effect on minor health problems, such as sore throat.