TEMPO.CO, Kupang - East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) will have its own local-brew liquor, called Sophia. NTT governor Viktor Bungtilu Laiskodat said he wants the drink to be sold for Rp1 million a bottle, or around US$70, which is relatively the same as a bottle of wine or other branded alcoholic beverages.

"If possible, sell it for a million a bottle," he said in Kupang, Monday, April 1.

A researcher from Undana, Dodi Dharmakusuma, said that the widely-consumed local liquors like sopi, mome and arak should be treated as assets. The traditional drinks, he said, have good effects on health.

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"When we return to the original recipe and concoction, we found several elements that are good for health," he said.

Undana askes that the research and study on Sophia will include additional potions that will allow the brand to have unique, ready-to-drink varieties.

As for the legality of Sophia's sales and distribution, the government is preparing a governor's regulation on the governance of alcoholic drinks in the NTT province. Some aspects that will be regulated are distilling and provision by Undana, as well as the sales and distribution process and authorities.

Sophia will use basic ingredients from arak, moke, sopi, which are drinks consumed by many people in East Nusa Tenggara.

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