If you like to travel to Asia and Scandinavia
At Balderdash, a cocktail bar in Copenhagen, there’s been a recent fascination with Southeast Asian flavors. Among the talented mixologists is Iskren Ivanov, who crafts exceptional cocktails for the bar’s guests. Iskren recently developed the Wanderlust Cooler, featuring our product, inspired by Restaurant Saji, another Copenhagen favorite that celebrates Indonesian cuisine and shares the love for pandan with the people of Denmark.
When asked about his inspiration, Iskren shared, “It’s less about inspiration and more about exploration. At Balderdash, we draw heavily from our experiences traveling and tasting new flavors, always seeking something fresh. For this cocktail, we wanted to dive into Asian flavors while blending in Nordic elements. Our friends at Restaurant Saji motivated us with their efforts to promote Indonesian cuisine in Copenhagen, which also led us to discover Bandoeng’22. The goal was to create a flavor that feels both familiar and novel—approachable yet, most importantly, smashable—perfect for the Christmas season.”
How to Make the Wanderlust Cooler
Iskren was kind enough to share his recipe for this delicious cocktail.
Ingredients
15 ml (0.5 oz) Coconut rum
15 ml (0.5 oz) Dild Akvavit
20 ml (0.7 oz) Bandoeng’22
15 ml (0.5 oz) Verjus
Pink grapefruit Thomas Henry lemonade
Cardamom Foam
Method of preparation
Build in a Boston tin; Throw the ingredients from tin to tin 5-6 times for aeration and dilution pour of highball with long ice, pour 10cl pink grapefruit soda, finish with cardamom lemon foam on top.
About Iskren Ivanov (DK)
Iskren Ivanov is a bartender at the renowned cocktail bar Balderdash in Copenhagen. When asked how he started his journey as a bartender, Iskren shared:
“I began my hospitality career about 10 years ago as a waiter, but within the first year, I found myself behind the bar—and I haven’t looked back since! I fell in love with the lifestyle, and the more I learned along the way, the deeper my passion grew. It’s been an incredible journey.”
When asked why he chose bartending, Iskren explained:
“There are so many reasons. One is the unique sense of camaraderie it fosters—with coworkers, regulars, and guests. I love the energy of working in a fast-paced environment, the creativity of mastering cocktail recipes and techniques, and the joy of making sure guests have an unforgettable experience.”
Balderdash
Nestled in the heart of Copenhagen’s oldest neighborhood, Balderdash is a cozy cocktail bar known for its innovative modern cocktails, local beers, and Danish delicacies.
The bar is led by owner Geoffrey Canilao, an American entrepreneur with Philippine roots, whose familiarity with pandan flavors perfectly complements his vision. Together, Geoffrey and Iskren have become the creative forces behind Balderdash, blending Asian influences with Nordic culture to craft exceptional, flavor-forward drinks.
