Siem Reap Cocktail Workshop & Sombai Tasting Experience

Summary

Cambodian Liqueur Class in a Traditional Khmer Home

This is your chance to mix cocktails in a real Khmer house with Sombai liqueur, guided by locals who know their stuff. Taste eleven flavors straight from the source, snack on Cambodian treats, and get tips for exploring Siem Reap — all in an atmosphere that feels more like visiting friends than taking a class.

What’s the experience like?

“Try the mango one,” our bartender said, sliding a glass across the old wooden table. The air inside the Khmer house was thick with sweet, herbal smells — I think it was lemongrass or maybe something even brighter. We’d just arrived for this Sombai cocktail workshop in Siem Reap and already my hands were sticky from slicing fruit. There’s something about learning to mix drinks where the liqueur is actually made — it feels less like a class and more like being let in on a local secret.

We wandered through the little production room after our first round of drinks. It’s not some big factory, just a cozy space with jars lined up on every shelf, each one steeping with different fruits and spices. Our guide, Dara, told us stories about how Sombai started — apparently “som bai” means “some rice” in Khmer, which makes sense once you taste that soft warmth under all the tropical flavors. I tried to repeat it back and got a laugh from Dara (my accent’s hopeless). The tasting part was wild: eleven flavors, tiny sips each time, and I still couldn’t pick a favorite.

There were local snacks too — crunchy things I didn’t recognize but kept reaching for between cocktails. The whole thing felt relaxed, like hanging out at someone’s home rather than ticking off another tourist activity. At one point we talked about places to eat in Siem Reap; Dara scribbled down names on my napkin while we all tried not to spill our drinks. I honestly didn’t expect to feel so welcome here.

I keep thinking about that last cocktail we made — something with passionfruit and chili that left my lips tingling for ages after. If you’re looking for a day trip in Siem Reap that’s more than just sightseeing, this Sombai workshop is probably it. The light outside had gone soft by the time we left; I remember feeling just a little lighter too.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sombai Cocktail Workshop

• Cocktail making class with professional bartender
• Taste eleven Sombai liqueur flavors
• Visit Sombai production workshop
• Learn about Khmer culture and liqueur story

Top questions

How long does the Sombai cocktail workshop last?

The workshop usually takes around 1.5 to 2 hours from start to finish.

Is this cocktail class suitable for beginners?

Yes, no experience needed — the bartender guides you step by step.

Are non-drinkers or children allowed at the workshop?

Yes, non-drinking guests can join free of charge; children must be with an adult.

What’s included in the price of this Siem Reap cocktail experience?

You get three cocktails, liqueur tasting (11 flavors), snacks, and a tour of the workshop.

Where is the Sombai workshop located in Siem Reap?

The class takes place inside an authentic Khmer wooden house within central Siem Reap.

What’s included

Your experience includes three freshly mixed cocktails you’ll make yourself with guidance from a local bartender, an informal tasting of eleven different Sombai liqueurs right inside their small production workshop, plenty of Cambodian snacks to nibble on between sips, plus time to chat about Khmer culture or travel tips before heading back into town.