A new menu celebrating imagination, craftsmanship and the richness of khmer ingredients.
Sora introduces “Build & Sip”, a new cocktail menu inspired by the creativity and nostalgia of iconic building bricks. Designed as a playful yet refined drinking experience, it invites guests to explore cocktails constructed layer by layer, where flavour, craftsmanship and storytelling come together in every glass.
Developed by Jonas Vittur, Director of Bars at Rosewood Phnom Penh, and the Sora team, the menu draws parallels between assembling bricks and building drinks, transforming familiar cocktail structures into thoughtful compositions of flavour. Each creation reflects the bar’s signature approach of combining Japanese aesthetics, local Khmer ingredients and globally inspired cocktail traditions. The result is a menu that celebrates creativity, nostalgia and cultural identity.
“With ‘Build & Sip’, we wanted to explore the idea that cocktails can be constructed much like architecture, where each element contributes to the final experience,” says Jonas Vittur, Director of Bars at Rosewood Phnom Penh. “The menu draws inspiration from the joy of building and the memories many of us associate with it, while highlighting the precision and creativity behind modern bartending. Each drink begins with a classic structure and is layered with Japanese influences, Cambodian ingredients and personal stories from our team.”
Built Layer By Layer
The menu features 16 drinks in total, including 14 alcoholic cocktails and 2 zero-proof creations, ranging from spirit-forward classics to lighter, easy-drinking serves. Each cocktail begins with the foundation of a familiar classic before being reinterpreted through Sora’s lens of flavour, technique and presentation.
Reflecting the building concept, the drinks incorporate playful design details such as studded ice blocks, architectural glassware and edible garnishes inspired by brick structures, adding visual character to each serve while maintaining a refined aesthetic.
The menu also highlights locally sourced ingredients and regional produce, celebrating Cambodia’s agricultural heritage while supporting a more thoughtful and sustainable approach to cocktail creation.
Cocktail Highlights
Khmer Colada captures the spirit of adventure and shared journeys. The cocktail combines white rum, pineapple and coconut with Cambodian curry spices, sansho pepper, and a gentle touch of chili, creating a tropical drink layered with warmth and gentle spice.
Cherry Lady Punch draws inspiration from cherry blossom landscapes and the meeting of Japanese symbolism and Cambodian produce. Presented as a clarified milk punch, it blends cashew nut whiskey, spiced rum, ratafia rossa, almond liqueur, Cointreau, cherry syrup, and sakura tea, finished with a dark chocolate garnish infused with cashew and pepper notes.
Nihon Gimlet evokes the calm of a tranquil garden setting. Served in a ceramic tea cup inspired by Japanese tea rituals, the cocktail combines Japanese gin, matcha green tea and kaffir lime leaf, resulting in a crisp, aromatic drink with herbal depth and citrus freshness. Sora’s continued creativity behind the bar comes at a time of growing international recognition. In 2025, the bar was ranked No. 65 on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 51 to 100 list, becoming the first bar in Cambodia to appear on the prestigious regional ranking. In the same year, Sora received the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award at Asia’s 50 Best Bars, recognising the team’s commitment to responsible sourcing, sustainability and thoughtful cocktail practices.