The easy 3-ingredient summer cocktail
Some cocktails require specialized equipment, homemade syrups, and a lengthy list of ingredients. Others prove that simplicity is often the key to great flavor. The Bandler belongs firmly in the second category.
Combining the refreshing character of a Radler with the distinctive flavor of pandan, the Bandler is a light, approachable, and incredibly easy summer cocktail. With just a few ingredients and no advanced bartending skills required, it delivers a unique drinking experience that is perfect for warm afternoons, outdoor gatherings, and relaxed evenings with friends.
What Is a Bandler?
The Bandler is a refreshing beer cocktail that combines Bandoeng’22 Pandan Liqueur with Radler. The result is a crisp and aromatic serve that balances citrus, carbonation, and the distinctive character of pandan. While the drink is easy to make, the flavor is surprisingly layered.
The Radler contributes brightness, gentle bitterness, and refreshing carbonation. The pandan liqueur adds notes of vanilla, toasted rice, coconut, and subtle spices. Together, they create a cocktail that feels familiar at first sip yet offers something entirely new.
The Bandler recipe
Ingredients
- 40 ml Bandoeng’22 Pandan Liqueur
- 250 ml Amstel Radler 2.0
- Juice of half a lime
- Ice cubes
- Lime wheel
- Foam top with egg white/substitute, radler and Bandoeng’22 (optional)
- Glassware Highball glass
Method
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Add the Bandoeng’22 Pandan Liqueur.
- Top with chilled Radler.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel or slice.
Why it works
Great cocktails are built on balance, and the Bandler demonstrates this perfectly.
Citrus meets pandan
The citrus notes in the Radler naturally enhance pandan’s aromatic qualities. Lemon highlights pandan’s vanilla-like sweetness while bringing freshness and vibrancy to the drink.
Light and refreshing
Unlike many cocktails that rely heavily on spirits, the Bandler remains approachable and easy-drinking. Its sparkling character makes it particularly suitable for warm weather and social occasions.
Familiar yet surprising
Most consumers are already familiar with Radler. By introducing pandan into the mix, the Bandler offers a flavor experience that feels both accessible and distinctive.
It is often the kind of drink that sparks curiosity after the very first sip.
The perfect summer serve
The Bandler is designed for moments when refreshment matters most. It works particularly well:
- On a sunny terrace
- At a backyard barbecue
- During outdoor festivals
- At beach clubs
- Alongside Indonesian and Asian cuisine
- As an afternoon or early-evening cocktail
Its lower alcohol content compared to many classic cocktails also makes it suitable for longer occasions where guests want to enjoy multiple drinks without moving immediately to stronger serves. More about the Bandler, click here.
What food pairs well with a Bandler?
The combination of citrus, carbonation, and pandan makes the Bandler surprisingly food-friendly. It pairs particularly well with:
Indonesian cuisine
The aromatic character of pandan complements dishes featuring rempah spices, grilled satay, peanut sauce, and sambal.
Seafood
Fresh fish, grilled prawns, and shellfish benefit from the cocktail’s bright citrus profile.
Barbecue
The carbonation helps cleanse the palate between bites of grilled meats and smoky flavors.
Summer snacks
Think crispy appetizers, fried bites, citrus-marinated dishes, and sharing platters enjoyed outdoors.
A new take on the Radler
For decades, the Radler has been one of Europe’s favorite summer drinks. The Bandler builds on that tradition while introducing a new layer of flavor inspired by Southeast Asia.
By combining a familiar beer-based refreshment with one of the region’s most iconic ingredients, it offers a modern twist that feels perfectly at home in today’s cocktail culture. Simple to make. Easy to enjoy. Surprisingly flavorful. That’s the appeal of the Bandler.
Discover the flavor of pandan
If the Bandler is your first introduction to pandan, you’re not alone.
Many consumers discover pandan through cocktails before exploring its role in Southeast Asian food and drink culture. Its unique combination of vanilla, coconut, toasted rice, and herbal notes makes it one of the most versatile flavors behind the bar.
The Bandler is a perfect place to start: approachable, refreshing, and unmistakably different. Sometimes the best summer cocktail is also the simplest.
