In my mini guide to Perhentian Kecil I talked about “Monkey Juice” and the fact that it was a potent local-style rum drink. This is Scott and I sunbathing, looking out to the clear blue water with a bottle of it between us.
Funnily, when Scott had approached the beach shack bar where it was served to buy some earlier in the day, the owner had shooed him away saying that the cops were coming to patrol the beach and that he shouldn’t be seen selling it.
I’m not sure what dodgy deals proceeded to be made, but let’s just say that not an hour later the bartender was back in business, selling bottles of Monkey Juice faster than he could unload them off the fishing boats.
This is bloody strong stuff and very cheap (by Perhentian standards) so it’s no wonder it’s most visitors’ drink of choice. We used to mix it with Sprite and make our own Monkey Cocktails.
Hello,
We are visiting the Perhentian Kecil in a few days and was wondering about this stuff. How much is it and does it actually taste like rum? Or is it pretty bad? Thanks in advance, 🙂
It was a while ago now, but from what I remember it tastes a bit sweeter and stronger than rum. Definitely not too bad, but better if you mix it with soda 😉 I can’t remember the exact price but it wasn’t expensive, especially compared to the usual Malaysian cost of alcohol! Hope that helps and that you enjoy the Perhentians.