The night air was warm. The table, abundant. The skyline of Jakarta glowed in the distance.
At the start of the first prayer for breaking the fast, the audience experienced an extraordinary moment when the drink gained all the attention.
People started clinking their glasses while pulling out their phones, which turned an ordinary Iftar toast into the evening’s most photographed moment. All guests did more than drink their beverages because they both snapped pictures and handed cups to others before asking for the recipe.
A mocktail sat at the forefront of this gathering. The heart of that mocktail remained Candid Ginger.
From Functional to Photogenic: Iftar Beverages Are Changing
The Ramadan period in Indonesia brings out strong emotional responses, while people pay great attention to visual elements. The period brings people together through ritual activities while they reconnect with each other and practice hospitality in hotels, event spaces, and rooftop lounges. For many years Iftar tables have maintained inferior drink selections.
The drinks at Iftar tables usually receive no attention during meal planning and ambiance styling because they are limited to sweet syrup drinks, reused soda mixes, and flavorless punch bowls. The result? The guest experience fails to rise to its potential while missing opportunities for photo opportunities.
The change has already begun. The traditional Iftar celebrations now showcase contemporary Indonesian traditions. Guests want more than nourishment, since they seek beautiful balance in everything they consume particularly in their drinks. It’s not just about hydration. It’s about experience.
Candid has established its position in the market through its operations.
The Ramadan Mule That Made It to Every Feed
The rooftop venue in Jakarta gained popularity through its skyline views and Iftar menu selection, but the night’s top focus was a strong Moscow Mule variation without alcohol; which transformed the classic drink into a showstopper.
The hero ingredient? Candid Ginger represents a dry-finished mixer that provides deep flavor and powerful taste along with sufficient strength to be a foundation for any ritual drink.
The drink was built simply but beautifully:
- Candid Ginger as the base
- Fresh lime juice for brightness
- A splash of pomegranate for color and symbolism
- A whole date as garnish — culturally resonant, photo-ready
All the right notes resonated with this drink, which combined warmth and acidity, together with texture and dramatic visual appeal. The refreshing experience improved when served in hammered copper mugs filled with crushed ice. It was memorable.
The F&B manager at the venue declared the drink surprised everyone by generating so much buzz.
“It ended up being the most posted item of the night.”
Why This Moment Matters
The appearance of drinks like the “Ramadan Mule” represents a broader trend in the industry.
Mocktails have taken a central role at cultural gatherings throughout Indonesia and the APAC region. Guests at Ramadan events require exceptional non-alcoholic drinks instead of substitutes, because they seek drinks that stand out.
Venues have an exceptional chance to serve emotional experiences through refined presentation.
A well-made mocktail that receives artistic presentation provides more than thirst satisfaction. It:
- Honors the occasion
- Sparks conversation
- Drives social amplification
- Creates guest memories that outlive the evening
High-emotion and high-visibility events like Ramadan require these special moments to become more vital than ever.
Candid: Built for the Occasion
Candid exists to take its place as the main attraction behind the bar instead of fading into the background. The product was designed to be a focal point for significant moments, specifically during such times.
Each 250ml can is designed to deliver:
- Flavor precision – no artificial sweetness, just clarity and depth
- Visual appeal – clean carbonation and natural hues for styling ease
- Operational ease – fast pours, no mixologist needed
- Cultural flexibility – fits perfectly into culturally mindful menus where alcohol is not an option, but presentation is a priority
Restaurants during Ramadan provide creative drink options that maintain traditional values in their offerings. The establishment provides guests with distinctive beverages they will share with others through photographs.
Candid offers its Ginger and Imperial Tonic during Ramadan to provide spicy citrus flavors that match the rich Iftar food.
The Emotional Upside of Getting It Right
The emotional power of food and drink intensifies during Ramadan, because it is a time for people to reflect and reconnect with one another.
The experience delivered by a venue exceeds simple fullness for its guests, because it creates an emotional impact.
The company plays an exclusive function in this context. The drink transforms into a meaningful gesture through the company’s actions. A mocktail transforms into something that people remember. The menu selection becomes a powerful motivator that causes people to share images, bring back customers, and share their recommendations.
A well-designed hero beverage transforms the way customers view a brand, because social media acts as the main force behind Ramadan visibility through venue tags and curated menus. The “Ramadan Mule” beverage made a rooftop Iftar event into a topic of discussion throughout the entire city.
More Than a Drink — A Cultural Cue
Young Indonesian guests who belong to Gen Z and Millennial generations choose to abstain from alcohol without considering it a restriction. The behavior allows them to feel more powerful.
Mocktails serve as indicators of creative expression, while reflecting personal choices and lifestyle preferences. Such moments occur particularly during:
- Family Iftars
- Corporate Ramadan gatherings
- Engagement dinners
- Rooftop Sahur events
Venues using Candid non-alcoholic mixers can offer new drink options to their customers who desire inclusive premium beverages without any cultural compromise.
The Shift Is Permanent
This isn’t a one-season trend. It’s a category evolution.
The shift toward inclusive premium photogenic drinks will become a necessity for F&B managers in Indonesia, because their guests increasingly demand such options. Venues that embrace changes today become market leaders who generate stories for their guests. The menus people share. The photos that travel far beyond the rooftop.
Candid enables these venues to lead with exceptional taste and elegant style, while delivering quick results for any event including Ramadan celebrations, wedding parties, wellness programs, and regular Friday nights with friends.
From Iftar to Iconic
The most celebrated Iftar experience this year did not consist of a multi-course tasting or a personal religious ceremony. The main attraction was a carefully crafted mocktail, which displayed elegance while Candid created it.
Such a moment produces increased sales but simultaneously constructs a positive reputation for your business.
Non-alcoholic beverages stop being viewed as restrictions when you begin to see them as creative opportunities. The company helps businesses claim their space by supporting them through each ceremony and formula and exceptional drink service.
