{"title":"Kota Pandan","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"kota-pandan-liqueur-700ml","title":"Kota Pandan Liqueur 700ML","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKota Pandan Liqueur 700ML\u003c\/strong\u003e is a 700ml, 18% ABV pandan-leaf liqueur produced in Dijon, France, by Maison Gabriel Boudier. Widely recognized as the first commercially available pandan liqueur, it was developed by bartender and pandan evangelist Nico de Soto to bring the flavors of Southeast Asia's most iconic aromatic plant to the global cocktail scene.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 18%  |  Origin: Dijon, France (pandan sourced from Thailand)  |  Style: Pandan Leaf Liqueur  |  Distillery: Maison Gabriel Boudier\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMaison Gabriel Boudier has been producing liqueurs and crèmes in Dijon, France, since 1874, making it one of the country's most established artisan distillers. For Kota Pandan Liqueur, the process begins with real pandan leaves sourced from Thailand, which are infused in a neutral grain spirit over several days before distillation. The resulting distillate is then blended with natural flavors and sugar to capture what the pandan plant — often called \"Asia's vanilla\" — delivers: a complex interplay of vanilla, almond, and butter that has no direct Western equivalent. Nico de Soto conceived the project specifically to fill a gap in the back bar, giving bartenders a ready-made ingredient that previously required labor-intensive house-made syrups and tinctures.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh, distinctly green, and immediately recognizable to anyone familiar with pandan in cooking. Beneath that leafy opening sit warm layers of vanilla, coconut, and a faint buttery richness reminiscent of shortbread just pulled from the oven.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e The entry is smooth and creamy, with vanilla custard and toasted rice leading the way. At mid-palate, biscuity and buttery notes expand alongside a subtle nuttiness that recalls roasted peanuts, while grassy butterscotch adds depth. The sweetness is moderate for a liqueur at 18% ABV, never veering into syrupy territory.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medium in length with a gentle, lingering warmth. Vanilla and a trace of coconut persist, fading into a clean, lightly herbaceous close that invites the next sip.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Kota Pandan\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNeat or slightly chilled, Kota Pandan rewards slow sipping — the aromatic complexity unfolds best without dilution. Its real superpower, though, is behind the bar, where it replaces homemade pandan syrups and adds body that a simple syrup cannot.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePandan Colada:\u003c\/strong\u003e Swap in Kota Pandan for part of the orgeat or coconut cream; its natural vanilla-coconut character amplifies tropical richness without added sweetness.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePandan Espresso Martini:\u003c\/strong\u003e The toasted rice and custard notes pair seamlessly with coffee liqueur and fresh espresso, adding a Southeast Asian twist to the modern classic.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJungle Bird variation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Use a half-ounce alongside rum and Campari; the grassy butterscotch bridges the bitter and fruity elements in unexpected ways.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHome bartenders exploring Southeast Asian-inspired cocktails\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting an adventurous spirits enthusiast who already has a well-stocked bar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTiki night and tropical cocktail sessions that need an authentic pandan element\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProfessional bartenders replacing labor-intensive house-made pandan preparations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Kota Pandan taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e Kota Pandan delivers a creamy, layered profile dominated by vanilla custard, toasted rice, and buttery shortbread, with a subtle nuttiness and grassy butterscotch undertone. The sweetness is restrained for a liqueur, making it versatile in cocktails and pleasant on its own.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Kota Pandan compare to orgeat?\u003c\/strong\u003e Both share an almond-like sweetness and creamy mouthfeel, which is why orgeat is the closest comparison in the liqueur world. However, Kota Pandan adds distinctive grassy, coconut, and toasted-rice dimensions that orgeat lacks, and it carries 18% ABV versus orgeat's typical zero-proof formulation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Kota Pandan good for cocktails?\u003c\/strong\u003e Kota Pandan was specifically designed as a bartender's tool and excels in cocktails ranging from tiki drinks to espresso martinis. Its balanced sweetness and 18% ABV integrate smoothly without overpowering other ingredients.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Kota Pandan made?\u003c\/strong\u003e Kota Pandan Liqueur is produced by Maison Gabriel Boudier in Dijon, France, a distillery founded in 1874. The pandan leaves used in the infusion are sourced from Thailand.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Kota Pandan?\u003c\/strong\u003e Sticky rice with mango highlights shared coconut-vanilla notes. Crème brûlée echoes the liqueur's custard character. Pandan chiffon cake creates a layered pandan-on-pandan experience. Roasted peanut desserts mirror its nutty undertones. Coconut ice cream served with a drizzle of Kota Pandan makes a simple but effective after-dinner pairing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Kota Pandan come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e Kota Pandan Liqueur is available in a standard 700ml bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Kota Pandan worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e Kota Pandan positions as a specialty liqueur within the premium tier. Given that it eliminates the need to source fresh pandan leaves, prepare homemade syrups, and dial in consistency — and that no direct commercial competitor exists — it represents strong value for serious cocktail enthusiasts and professionals.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Kota Pandan?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo other commercially available liqueur captures the pandan leaf's signature aroma and flavor profile in a shelf-stable, ready-to-pour format. The collaboration between Nico de Soto — a bartender celebrated for bridging Asian ingredients and Western cocktail technique — and Maison Gabriel Boudier, a distillery with nearly 150 years of liqueur-making expertise, produced something genuinely novel. The use of real Thai pandan leaves infused and distilled in a neutral grain spirit ensures the flavors are authentic rather than synthetic. For anyone serious about expanding their cocktail repertoire beyond the usual European and American flavor palette, Kota Pandan fills a space that simply had no previous occupant.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kota Pandan","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45677001146537,"sku":"40781","price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/KotaPandanLiqueur700ML.webp?v=1745171975"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/kota-pandan.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}