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Raffles 1887
Legendary Libations
Airavata: king of elephants, celestial mount and rum-based signature cocktail
AIRAVATA has many definitions. In Hindu mythology he is the king of elephants, said to have emerged from the churning of the ocean of milk, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. Not only is Airavata that rare beast, a white elephant, he is also blessed with five heads (or three, depending on the source) and four tusks, and though he has many duties, he is principally charged with carrying Indra, the king of the gods, upon his back.
Elephants, mythological and actual, have been part of Khmer culture for millennia. They were used in construction – some 6,000 elephants were employed in the building of the temples – they were ridden into battle, and they transported goods across the country. They are represented in carvings and statues throughout Siem Reap – look for Airavata and Indra on the lintels above the eastern doorways at Angkor Wat.
The legendary Elephant Bar at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor is a fitting tribute to the country’s majestic pachyderms. Decorated in chic colonial style, the bar has an overarching theme: be it a sculpture, a print or a decorative accessory, you’re never far from an elephant here.
Created towards the end of the 1990s, the bar’s signature cocktail, Airavata, commemorates the white elephant of Hindu mythology. The creamy libation is made from locally sourced ingredients, including Cambodian Samai rum, crème de banane and pineapple juice, and is as pale as its celestial namesake. As a finishing flourish, it is served in a handmade Airavata goblet.
So let us raise a toast to Airavata, Indra’s magnificent mount, the king of all elephants, and an exceedingly delicious Raffles cocktail.
How to make an Airavata
30 ml Samai Rum
15 ml Crème de Banane
15 ml Coconut Passion
60 ml Pineapple juice
10 ml Lime juice
30 ml Coconut juice
10 ml Sugar syrup
Place all of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until well mixed. Pour into a glass and garnish with a pineapple stick.
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