basi

Basi is a traditional alcoholic beverage from the Ilocos region of the Philippines, made by fermenting sugarcane juice or sap. The fermentation is typically conducted in clay jars using natural yeasts, with aging that can influence flavor and strength. The resulting drink ranges in color from pale amber to dark brown and can be lightly to strongly alcoholic. Basi has several regional variants and historical styles.

Historically, basi was an important local industry in the Ilocos region. The production and taxation of basi were central to social and political life and contributed to the Basi Revolt of 1807, a notable uprising against colonial authorities. In modern times, basi is less common but has seen revival efforts by cultural groups and some local producers, often marketed as a traditional beverage or heritage product. It is sometimes consumed fresh or aged and can be presented as part of cultural demonstrations or tourism.

In Malay and Indonesian languages, basi means spoiled or rotten, used to describe food or drink that has gone bad. This meaning is unrelated to the Filipino beverage and reflects a separate linguistic development in those languages. The term basi may also appear as a proper noun or place name in some contexts, but the primary sense in the Philippines concerns the wine.