The Ultimate Lambanog Cocktail to Celebrate Its World-Class Flavor

Born and raised in Tanauan, Batangas, champion bartender and mixologist Ian Libang, also known as "Curious" or "The Curious Bartender," is no stranger to lambanog, which ranked No. 2 in TasteAtlas' 2024 World's Best Spirits list. 

Libang had the pleasure of serving and enjoying it bottled, in shots, flavored, pure, and even from a pitcher, directly scooped from a drum teeming with the fresh spirit. 

Filipinos naturally have various lambanog preferences, but for Libang—co-founder and beverage director of Bizarre, a cocktail degustation bar, and B House Cafe & Lounge, both located in Poblacion, Makati—one of the best street-style lambanogs he has ever tasted comes from Liliw, Laguna, which "literally tastes like pan de coco."

The recognition from TasteAtlas is a testament to the global appreciation of lambanog. Key to gaining this international exposure, says Libang, are brands such as San Juan Lambanog by Distilleria Limtuaco and Lakan Premium Lambanog from Batangas, both of which have garnered international awards.

Ian Libang has represented the Philippines on the global stage for Cocktail Competitions such as Campari Bartender Challenge in Milan, Asia Bar Battle in Singapore and Brockman’s Brocktail Competition, bringing pride to his country as the Philippine Champion.

Courtesy of Ian Libang.

"These brands have played a significant role in promoting lambanog on the global market. If we want to maintain its top position, let's continue to vote for it and encourage the world to try our unique spirit category," Libang urges lambanog enthusiasts. 

A good spirit comes from a quality source. "Having traveled around Southeast Asia, I can say that the Philippines produces the best-tasting coconuts out there. Our coconuts are rich, sweet, and bursting with flavor, which means the sap they produce is equally flavorful," he says. 

To produce the lambanog, the coconut sap is meticulously fermented and distilled to unleash the spirit's optimal flavor—"clean yet rich." Lambanog can be enjoyed in a variety of ways: neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails. Topped with fresh, cold coconut water over ice, it presents an unparalleled experience, Libang suggests.

"Lambanog is not coconut wine or Philippine vodka; it occupies its unique category as a Philippine spirit," Libang clarifies.

The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), in collaboration with the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS), has set regulation standards to guarantee the quality and safety of lambanog products on the market. According to Libang, now is the ideal time for the PCA and BAFS to revisit these regulations and work alongside some of the country’s top distillers and beverage experts.

"Such a partnership will not only tighten and enhance the regulations but will also elevate lambanog's quality to meet global standards," he says. For the safety of all, Libang stresses the importance of supporting only FDA-approved lambanog products.

The award-winning mixologist shares a special lambanog cocktail recipe in celebration of this world-class Filipino spirit.

West Philippine Sea
45 ml San Juan Lambanog
15 ml Rhum agricole
15 ml Fresh calamansi juice
7.5 ml Fresh dayap juice
7.5 ml Monofloral honey
15ml Maraschino liqueur
A handful of mint leaves

Procedure: 
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker, add ice, and shake vigorously. Double strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with salted coconut water foam.