Bottled drinks getting crushed during an anti-alcohol campaign in Tangerang, Banten. (JG Photo/Fajrin Raharjo)
Though the gurgling stomachs of customers may claim otherwise, “oplosan” beverage vendors are speaking out against allegations that their alcoholic mixes are made with dangerous ingredients and may cause bodily harm.
The mix is only dangerous “if you are weak” and unused to — or irresponsible when — drinking alcoholic drinks, says “Budi” (not his real name), the only merchant in Jl. Asia Afrika who was willing to divulge at least part of what he puts in his beverages.
Though still unwilling to state everything he puts in, excepting vague explanations of the budget-friendly Mansion vodka and a mix of regular soft drinks, Budi said that adding dangerous ingredients to save on costs w as akin to shooting himself in the foot.
His rationale: if his customers are sick — or worse, die — from poisoning, then he would have less returning customers.
“So why would I poison people who give me money?”
Melly’s Garden, the “pub and diner” that serves “ Balonku” — among other drinks — the beverage that “Edo,” one of the sources in our previous story about “oplosan,” claimed made him tremendously ill, is happy to share its ingredients.
The bar was quick to dispute Edo’s claims, which they argue are without merit and rely heavily on conjecture.
Though they were never mentioned in name in the last story, Melly’s rejects the claim that “Balonku” (referred to in the story as “My Balloon,” (which only they serve, hence the complaint) along with their other mixed beverages could be considered “oplosan.”
“All the products we use in our mixes [liqueur, spirits, beer, wine, and any other ingredients] are all products officially recognized in the bartending world and are officially marketed by official suppliers,” said Nico Oliver, a Melly’s Garden representative, via email.
The rep also wanted to ensure that visitors are aware of the business’ interest in the “cleanliness” of their products, stating that the bar’s operational managers come from a well-established background of studying hospitality.
Nico is also eager to question Edo’s assertion that he and his friends were immediately ill after a wild night out at Melly’s Garden gulping down “Balonku.”
He considers it suspect that “the first thing the doctor asked Edo was what he had to drink, instead of what he had been eating — unless Edo already has a related medical track record.”
He also finds it odd that the doctor did not tell Edo what in the drinks caused his pains.
Nico also doesn’t take kindly to the claim that “Balonku” is an “oplosan,” or a mixed drink with questionable ingredients.
According to Nico, there has never been a health complaint delivered by a Melly’s customer, especially related to the popular “Balonku” since it debuted on the menu five years ago.
Perhaps Edo just overdid the booze.
Budi agreed, saying if anyone had complained of any kind of illness, he would be happy to reconsider his mixes and perhaps even closing his business altogether. He says with dramatic emphasis: “No problem.”
“But nobody has — people still come around to drink,” he says with a wry smile, looking round at his customers.
Perhaps the general attitude towards drinking mixed beverages — whether by the street or in a more established venue — has a lot to do with that.
Whether it is the acceptance or thrill of risk-taking, most customers are completely at peace with the idea discomfort is the price to pay for a wild night out!
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