Soda gembira (lit. 'happy soda') is an

Indonesian Indonesian is anything of, from, or related to Indonesia, an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. It may refer to: * Indonesians, citizens of Indonesia ** Native Indonesians, diverse groups of local inhabitants of the archipelago ** Indonesian ...

drink A drink or beverage is a liquid intended for human consumption. In addition to their basic function of satisfying thirst, drinks play important roles in human culture. Common types of drinks include plain drinking water, milk, juice, smoothie ...

. It is made up of strawberry-flavored Fanta,

condensed milk Condensed milk is Milk#Cow, cow's milk from which water has been removed (roughly 60% of it). It is most often found with sugar added, in the form of sweetened condensed milk, to the extent that the terms "condensed milk" and "sweetened condensed m ...

syrup In cooking, syrup (less commonly sirup; from ; , beverage, wine and ) is a condiment that is a thick, viscous liquid consisting primarily of a Solution (chemistry), solution of sugar in water, containing a large amount of dissolved sugars but ...

and

ice Ice is water that is frozen into a solid state, typically forming at or below temperatures of 0 ° C, 32 ° F, or 273.15 K. It occurs naturally on Earth, on other planets, in Oort cloud objects, and as interstellar ice. As a naturally oc ...

. A related drink, Soda Susu, uses

carbonated water Carbonated water is water containing dissolved carbon dioxide gas, either artificially injected under pressure, or occurring due to natural geological processes. Carbonation causes small bubbles to form, giving the water an effervescent quali ...

instead of strawberry-flavored Fanta. Soda gembira is a popular beverage in Indonesia. It is usually served during

iftar ''Iftar'' () is the Fasting in Islam, fast-breaking Supper, evening meal of Muslims in Ramadan at the time of ' (call to prayer) of the Maghrib prayer. Iftar is the second meal of the day; during Ramadan, the daily fast begins immediately a ...

Ramadan Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (''Fasting in Islam, sawm''), communal prayer (salah), reflection, and community. It is also the month in which the Quran is believed ...

and at wedding receptions, alongside foods including

bakso Bakso or baso is an Indonesian meatball, or a meat paste made from beef surimi. Its texture is similar to the Chinese beef ball, fish ball, or pork ball. The word ''bakso'' may refer to a single meatball or the complete dish of meatball soup. ...

nasi goreng ''Nasi goreng'' (English pronunciation: ), (Indonesian language, Indonesian and Malay language, Malay for 'fried rice') is a Southeast Asian rice dish with pieces of meat and vegetables added. It can refer simply to fried pre-cooked rice, a me ...

rendang Rendang is a fried meat or dry curry made of meat stewed in coconut milk and spices, widely popular across Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines, where each version is considered local cuisine. It refers to both a cooking m ...

, and soto.

Details

Soda Gembira is a typical Indonesian drink. It is famous for its combination of sweet and refreshing flavors. This drink is made from a combination of red syrup, which is usually cocopandan flavored,

sweetened condensed milk Condensed milk is cow's milk from which water has been removed (roughly 60% of it). It is most often found with sugar added, in the form of sweetened condensed milk, to the extent that the terms "condensed milk" and "sweetened condensed milk" are o ...

, and carbonated soda, such as Sprite or Fanta. The red syrup provides a bright color and distinctive sweet taste, while the sweetened condensed milk adds a creamy texture. The soda provides a refreshing carbonated sensation, making it an ideal drink for hot weather or special occasions. The origins of Soda Gembira do not have a specific history. However, Dutch colonial influence likely played a role in the use of sweetened condensed milk, which was starting to become popular in Indonesia at that time. On the other hand, the use of sweet syrup was already part of the local beverage tradition in Indonesia, while the introduction of soda drinks to Indonesia in the mid-20th century paved the way for the creation of this drink. The combination of local ingredients, such as cocopandan syrup with carbonated soda, created a new, unique taste that was loved by many people. Soda Gembira is often served in food stalls, especially in Padang restaurants or other traditional eateries. This drink is not only popular because of its pleasant taste but also because of its attractive appearance with a striking red color that symbolizes joy. In some variations, this drink can be served with ice cubes or additions such as basil and

nata de coco ''Nata de coco'', also marketed as coconut gel, is a chewy, translucent, jelly-like food produced by the fermentation of coconut water, which gels through the production of microbial cellulose by '' Komagataeibacter xylinus''. Originating i ...

to enrich the texture. In addition to being a favorite choice in restaurants and food stalls, Soda Gembira also often appears at various family events or celebrations as a dessert drink. With a strong sweet taste and refreshing carbonated sensation, Soda Gembira is a symbol of a relaxed and happy atmosphere, in accordance with its name, which reflects joy and pleasure.

References

{{indonesia-cuisine-stub Indonesian drinks Street food Street food in Indonesia Non-alcoholic drinks Non-alcoholic mixed drinks

Details

See also

References