Best Colombian Beverage Types
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Lulada is a cold, refreshing drink originating from El Valle region of Colombia, made with mashed lulos, lime juice, water, sugar, and ice. Lulo, also known as naranjilla in Ecuador and Panama, is an exotic fruit popular in Colombia.
It has a light, citrusy flavor and it’s very common in Colombian cuisine. Lulada is the perfect combination of sweet and tart, has a thick consistency and can be served with a shot of vodka.
Cholado is an icy cross between a fruit salad, a cocktail, and a frozen dessert. Also known as raspao, the beverage is prepared with fresh fruit such as strawberries, bananas, kiwi, papaya, pineapple, and maracuya, along with milk and a sweet syrup made with Colombian blackberries.
Cholado has a perfect balance of aromas and textures, and it is considered both a dessert and a drink because it is crunchy, fruity, and creamy at the same time. It is typically served cold in a tall glass with a lot of crushed ice, then topped with shredded coconut and garnished with a cherry.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Bittersweet and refreshing, Refajo is a Colombian cocktail made with a combination of Colombiana soda, pale lager, and sometimes aguardiente as well. All ingredients are typically mixed together in a chilled pitcher without stirring. The cocktail is served over ice and it is often garnished with lime and orange wedges.
Refajo is traditionally served as an accompaniment at asado barbecues throughout Colombia, where everyone has a glass of this refreshing drink in their hands while preparing copious amounts of steak, grilled corn, and potatoes.
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Guarapo is a Latin American drink made from raw, pressed sugarcane juice mixed with water, ice, and lots of fresh limes. Most often, the vendors that sell it will extract the sugar cane juice right on the spot using a metal sugar cane press.
The juice drips into a bucket below the press where it’s sieved before serving. It has a slightly sweet flavor, and it’s most popular in the summer as a cold refreshment. The word guarapo was first recorded in the 19th century by Esteban Pichardo, who defines it as a broth or a liquid made from sugarcane juice, extracted under pressure.
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Champús is a traditional cold beverage that is also popular in Peru and Ecuador. It is made with dried maize, pineapple, mashed lulo (also known as naranjilla), panela, cloves, cinnamon, and orange zest or tree leaves. Refreshing and sweet, champús is typically served with a lot of ice and is considered a perfect summer drink.
However, Peruvians traditionally consume it warm as a dessert, and in this version, lulo is replaced with apples. In Colombia, this beverage is consumed at any time of the day, but it is especially popular during the Christmas festivities, while in Ecuador, it is traditionally prepared for funerals.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Canelazo is a spiced beverage that is enjoyed in various parts of Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Argentina. Although there are different versions of the drink, it is usually made with a combination of cinnamon water (hot water infused with cinnamon sticks) and sugar or unrefined cane sugar (panela).
The combination is then usually improved with a splash of South American aguardiente—a clear and potent spirit usually made from sugar cane. Common additions include fruit juices, other spices, while aguardiente is occasionally swapped with rum or the alcohol can be completely omitted.
Aguapanela is a non-alcoholic drink mostly associated with Colombia but commonly found in several Central and South American countries. In its basic form, aguapanela combines water (agua) and unrefined cane sugar. It also commonly includes lemon and lime juice.
This refreshing drink is usually served cold, preferably in an ice-filled glass, and garnished with a lime wheel. Sometimes, aguapanela is used as a base for hot chocolate or coffee. The alcohol-laced version is known as canelazo. In Venezuela, similar variety is known as papelón con limón.
Avena Colombiana is a creamy summer drink originating from Colombia. It is made from oats that have been soaked overnight before being simmered in milk and water, which are flavored with cinnamon, cloves, and a little sugar. The mixture is chilled for a minimum of three hours before it is blended and develops a smooth, creamy consistency.
It is typically served cold with a light sprinkling of cinnamon on top.
Mate de coca is a herbal infusion that is made by steeping coca leaves or teabags consisting of coca leaves in hot water. This ancient drink has been traditionally enjoyed to treat altitude sickness, and due to the small amounts of alkaloids, it is also regarded as a slightly energizing drink.
Although they share a similar name, mate de coca and mate—a herbal infusion often associated with Argentina—should not be mixed up. Coca tea is widely available and legal throughout South America, but outside the region, many countries ban the import and consummation due to the link between coca leaves and cocaine.
Aguardiente is a generic term used for various distilled spirits from the Iberian peninsula and Central and South America. In Colombia, aguardiente is a sugarcane spirit that is flavored with anise. The drink is enjoyed in the entire country, but it is mainly associated with the Andean region.
The resulting drink is potent (typically around 30% ABV), smooth, and crisp. It has a herbal character and licorice licorice-like notes. It is usually served neat, traditionally in shot glasses. It is also sometimes incorporated into cocktails and long drinks.
Best Colombian Beverage Producers
AWARDS
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or
2020
BEST Finca Manzanares Sl Wines
Industria Licorera de Caldas (ILC) is a Colombian company based in Manizales, founded in 1905. It specializes in the production of alcoholic beverages, including rum, aguardiente, and liqueurs. ILC is well known for its brands, such as Ron Viejo de Caldas and Aguardiente Cristal.
The company is committed to maintaining high-quality standards and innovation in the production of its beverages. ILC is also recognized for its contribution to the local economy and social development through employment generation and community support.
BEST Industria Licorera de Caldas Spirits and Liqueurs
Industria Licorera del Cauca is a state-owned industrial and commercial company based in Popayán, the capital of the Cauca Department in Colombia. Its products have gained international recognition, winning awards at competitions such as Monde Selection, confirming their quality and excellence.
As a state company, Industria Licorera del Cauca plays a key role in the economy of the Cauca Department, contributing to the development and promotion of regional products at both the national and international levels.
BEST Industria Licorera del Cauca Spirits and Liqueurs
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2024
BEST Unión Vichera Spirits
AWARDS
Decanter World Wine Awards - Platinum
2021, 2020
BEST Casa Marin Wines
AWARDS
The Rum & Cachaça Masters - Gold
2022
BEST La Hechicera Company Spirits
Café Granja La Esperanza is a leading specialty coffee producer from Colombia, renowned for its commitment to quality, innovative fermentation methods, and cultivation of rare varieties. Founded in 1945, the farm began its journey in the Valle del Cauca region with Yellow Bourbon, Red Bourbon, and Caturra varieties before expanding to estates such as Las Margaritas, La Esperanza, Cerro Azul, Potosí, and Hawaii.
Their continuous research and refinement of cultivation and processing techniques have made them synonymous with premium coffee and precision fermentation. In 2007, they gained global recognition by growing the Geisha variety in Panama, which won first place at the prestigious Best of Panama competition.
BEST Café Granja La Esperanza Coffees
La Palma y El Tucán is a Colombian coffee farm, mill, and eco-tourism destination, nestled in the heart of the mountainous Cundinamarca region, near Bogotá. Known for its pioneering approach to coffee production, this farm combines sustainable agriculture, innovative processing methods, and community engagement to create one of the most prestigious experiences in the world of specialty coffee.
Their philosophy is based on the concept of symbiosis between nature and agriculture, where every element of the ecosystem is utilized in a way that promotes regenerative practices and biodiversity conservation. Coffee from this farm is distinguished by its unique flavor profiles, achieved through carefully controlled fermentation processes and meticulous cultivation under the shade of diverse vegetation.
Selva Gin is a Colombian distillery located in the historic city of Cartagena de Indias. Founded with the goal of creating authentic and high-quality spirits, the distillery combines tradition, local Colombian ingredients, and innovative techniques.
Selva Gin is the result of a collaboration between two passionate bartenders, one from England and one from Colombia, and a renowned Colombian chef. The distillery uses carefully selected local ingredients, including native plants and fruits such as corozo, fermented cacao, and limón mandarino, to craft products that reflect the unique nature and culture of Colombia.
Their meticulous production process is designed to highlight the rich aromas and flavors of each botanical.
Best Colombian Beverages
AWARDS
World Beer Cup - Gold
2022
AWARDS
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or
2020
Gin Bosque de Indias is a Colombian gin that transports you to a lush botanical garden. Its unique formula combines classic juniper notes with a selection of exotic botanicals, resulting in an exotic and refreshing flavor that evokes nature in its purest form.
The recipe features a careful selection of botanicals, including tropical fruits, exotic spices, and aromatic herbs, giving it a vibrant and complex aromatic profile. Notable notes include juniper, citrus, pink pepper, cardamom, and a hint of floral essence.
Licor Anis Escarchado is a traditional anise liqueur known for its distinctive flavor and appearance. The word "escarchado" in Spanish means "frosted" or "covered in frost," referring to the crystallized sugar inside the bottle, which gives the liqueur its unique aesthetic appeal.
One of the most fascinating characteristics of this liqueur is the presence of crystallized sugar within the bottle, creating a frost-like effect. This visual feature not only enhances the drink's aesthetic charm but also serves as a testament to its traditional production process.
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2024
AWARDS
Decanter World Wine Awards - Platinum
2020
AWARDS
Decanter World Wine Awards - Platinum
2021
AWARDS
The Rum & Cachaça Masters - Gold
2022
AWARDS
The Rum & Cachaça Masters - Gold
2022
Colombia Granja La Esperanza Sudan Rume – A Rare and Elegant Coffee from the Heart of Colombia Colombia Granja La Esperanza Sudan Rume is an exclusive and highly esteemed coffee from the renowned Granja La Esperanza farm, located in the Valle del Cauca region.
This series features Sudan Rume, one of the rarest and most intriguing Arabica varieties, originating from South Sudan and known for its exceptional genetic purity and distinctive aromatic profile. The coffee is cultivated at altitudes ranging from 1,570 to 1,850 meters, in perfect microclimatic conditions, where it undergoes a meticulously controlled hybrid washed process to preserve its unique character.
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