Discover Build & Sip, Sora Phnom Penh’s imaginative new cocktail menu inspired by iconic building bricks, featuring Cambodian ingredients, Japanese influences and award-winning mixology.

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA – Some cocktails are simply mixed. Others are carefully constructed. At Sora, the award-winning rooftop bar perched atop Rosewood Phnom Penh, every drink on its newest menu is built with the same precision and imagination as a piece of architecture.

Introducing “Build & Sip,” an inventive new cocktail collection that transforms the simple joy of building with iconic toy bricks into a sophisticated drinking experience. Blending playful nostalgia with world-class bartending, the menu showcases how thoughtful craftsmanship, local Cambodian ingredients and Japanese-inspired techniques can come together to create something entirely unexpected.

It’s a fresh chapter for one of Southeast Asia’s most exciting cocktail destinations—and another reason why Phnom Penh deserves a place on every discerning traveller’s dining and drinking itinerary.

Inspired by the process of assembling building blocks layer by layer, Build & Sip explores the idea that great cocktails are carefully engineered rather than simply poured. Conceived by Jonas Vittur, Director of Bars at Rosewood Phnom Penh, together with the Sora team, the collection draws parallels between architecture and cocktail-making. Every ingredient serves a purpose, every flavour builds upon the next, and every finished drink tells a story.

“We wanted to explore the idea that cocktails can be constructed much like architecture, where each element contributes to the final experience,” says Vittur. “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.”

The result is a menu that feels whimsical without sacrificing sophistication—a signature that has become synonymous with Sora’s approach to modern cocktail culture.

The new menu features 16 handcrafted drinks, including 14 signature cocktails and two thoughtfully crafted zero-proof creations. Rather than reinventing cocktails from scratch, each drink begins with the familiar framework of a classic before being transformed through Sora’s distinctive lens of Japanese aesthetics, regional ingredients and contemporary techniques.

Presentation plays an equally important role. Expect sculptural glassware, playful studded ice blocks inspired by building bricks and architectural garnishes that reinforce the menu’s creative concept without feeling gimmicky. Every cocktail is designed to be as visually striking as it is flavourful.

While the menu celebrates creativity, it also highlights Cambodia’s growing culinary identity. Locally sourced produce and regional ingredients feature throughout the collection, supporting local farmers while showcasing the country’s remarkable flavours in innovative ways.

It’s a philosophy that aligns closely with Rosewood Phnom Penh’s wider commitment to sustainability and thoughtful sourcing—values that have helped establish Sora as one of Asia’s most respected cocktail bars.

Khmer Colada

Forget everything you know about the classic Piña Colada. Sora’s Khmer Colada layers tropical pineapple and creamy coconut with white rum before introducing Cambodian curry spices, sansho pepper and a subtle hint of chilli.

The result is a cocktail that’s simultaneously familiar and surprising—rich, aromatic and gently spiced, with enough complexity to keep every sip interesting.

Cherry Lady Punch

Perhaps the menu’s most elegant creation, Cherry Lady Punch draws inspiration from Japanese cherry blossoms while celebrating Cambodian ingredients through a beautifully clarified milk punch.

Cashew nut whiskey, spiced rum, ratafia rossa, almond liqueur, Cointreau, cherry syrup and delicate sakura tea come together in an exceptionally smooth cocktail, finished with a handcrafted dark chocolate garnish infused with cashew and pepper. It’s equal parts dessert, conversation starter and work of art.

Nihon Gimlet

Minimalist yet deeply layered, the Nihon Gimlet pays homage to the tranquillity of Japanese tea ceremonies. Served in a handcrafted ceramic tea cup rather than a traditional cocktail glass, it combines Japanese gin, vibrant matcha and fragrant kaffir lime leaf for a refreshing drink that balances herbal complexity with bright citrus notes.

It’s a quietly elegant cocktail that perfectly captures Sora’s understated style.

Build & Sip reflects a broader philosophy that has defined Sora since it first opened. Rather than following trends, the bar has consistently built its identity around storytelling, craftsmanship and a genuine sense of place. Japanese precision meets Cambodian hospitality, while globally inspired techniques are grounded in locally sourced ingredients.

That distinctive approach has earned Sora increasing international recognition. In 2025, it became the first Cambodian bar to appear on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 51–100 list, marking a significant milestone for the country’s growing cocktail scene. The same year, Sora was also honoured with the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award, recognising its leadership in responsible sourcing, sustainability and environmentally conscious bartending.

Those accolades have firmly established Sora as not only one of Cambodia’s finest bars, but also one of Southeast Asia’s most exciting destinations for cocktail enthusiasts.

Located on the 37th floor of Rosewood Phnom Penh, Sora is best known for pairing inventive cocktails with panoramic views across Phnom Penh, the Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers.

The venue combines a sleek indoor lounge with an expansive outdoor Skydeck, making it equally suited for sunset aperitifs, late-night celebrations or intimate conversations above the city’s skyline.

For whisky lovers, the adjoining Whisky Library offers an entirely different atmosphere, featuring rare labels, premium cigars and plush interiors that encourage guests to linger long after their final pour.

At first glance, Build & Sip may appear to be inspired by childhood nostalgia. In reality, it’s a thoughtful exploration of creativity, craftsmanship and cultural identity. Every cocktail demonstrates how familiar classics can evolve through local ingredients, personal stories and artistic presentation, resulting in drinks that are playful without ever losing their sense of refinement.

Whether you’re a serious cocktail enthusiast, a design lover or simply searching for one of Phnom Penh’s most memorable rooftop experiences, Sora’s newest menu offers something refreshingly different. Like the finest architecture, every great cocktail begins with a strong foundation. At Sora, that foundation is built one carefully considered layer at a time.

More information about Rosewood Phnom Penh available here