BOTAK:LIQUOR Bar

This gorgeous garden-esque cocktail bar beckons a visit if you’re in the hood. Botak's cocktails are anything but ordinary — housemade infusions and local ingredients combine to create spectacular drinks. Fan of sour flavours should give the Eggless Whisky Sour (RM42) a shot. This one is made with bourbon, fresh lemon juice, agave nectar and interestingly enough, chickpea water instead of egg whites to produce a delectable froth. Also good is the Nangka X Grapefruit (RM38), a sweet and well-balanced cocktail where Tequila Blanco is mixed with grapefruit soda and garnished with charcoal salt. Ps. Botak is located above Chocha Foodstore!

I loved this more out of the two! Super well-balanced, and a little sweet-sour too. They say to drink it like a margarita: take a dash of salt from the side of the glass and then a sip of the drink. Ps. It’s charcoal salt!

Not the cheapest cocktails in town but it’s good, so that’s fine by me. I personally prefer this eggless version, it’s not as creamy. And I love how sour it is too! Super well-balanced. Not to mention, gorgeous gorgeous space. Plan a meal at Chocha before heading up for a drink!

A little bar above of chocha putting up some interesting cocktail using mostly South East Asia fruits and spices.

Papaya x Cuka is a mix of papaya and chili padi with light rum. Aside of this they do have nangka, dragon fruit, curry leaf, ginger flower and others on the menu for your own customisation as well.

Not long after its inception, RAY gives way to BOTAK:Liquor Bar, a largely similar establishment. They have retained the relaxing tropical vibes and their penchant for cocktails on tap, but with the new name comes an all-new menu to get excited about. The bar now turns to homegrown botanicals to build its best tipples, balancing the hard-hitting nature of liquor with the gentle fragrance of florals. The next time you're out for an easy drink early in the day (the bar opens at 3pm), bring a friend here to BOTAK. The Sweet Pea & Elderflower (RM48) makes a refreshing choice, blending un-aged whiskey with sweet peas, organic elderflower cordial and lime. If it's the cocktails on tap you're after, the Jasmine & Tarragon (RM38) makes a nice, sweet sip while also racking up points for pretty presentation. Food is not served here, but feel free to take your drink down with you to Chocha Foodstore.
Avg price per person: RM70
Photo by Burppler Trisha Toh

Botak Liquor Bar’s cocktails are art in a glass. The gin-based Jasmine & Tarragon on tap is a gorgeous blend of suze, jasmine cordial, tarragon, lemon bitters and a zesty fizz while the Nangka & Grapefruit is a delicious tropical mashup of tequila blanco, grapefruit soda and homemade jackfruit liquor, drunk together with a lick of the charcoal salt like you would with a margarita. The bar ain’t wallet-friendly so come here when you’re feeling spendy.