12 Must-Try South American Drinks

Peruvian Pisco

Ever since traipsing all over South America for the first time in 2013 I’ve been dying to write this post.

You may already be familiar with my serious wine obsession, but given the right mood and circumstances, I can be a real beer and cocktail lover, too.

As I made my way through 6 South American countries last year I found a little bit of everything to love.

Here’s my list of the South American drinks you’d be crazy not to try on your next trip.

1. Aguardiente

This anise-flavored liquor (whose name translates roughly to “fire water”) is considered the national beverage of Colombia.  At 29% alcohol by volume, it’s typically taken as a shot followed by…nothing.  Admittedly, I hated Aguardiente on my first visit to Colombia, but since returning I’ve grown to appreciate it, perhaps even enjoy it a little bit (and how relaxed it makes me feel afterward).  Colombians are known to kill bottles upon bottles of the stuff in a single sitting, and it’s unlikely you’ll make it out of the country without being offered a shot or two.  It’d be impolite to refuse in such a situation, so bottoms up!

South American drinks you must try during your travels: Aguardiente, a local spirit from Colombia
The sugar-free version can save you from a nasty hangover (Source)

2. BBC Chapinero Porter

There’s an increasing market for craft beers in Colombia these days, and breweries like Bogotá Beer Company are ready to meet consumer demands.  BBC is probably the most well-known brewery in the country and have given themselves the designation of “biggest little brewery in Colombia.”  The Chapinero Porter even won the title of World’s Best Porter 2013, awarded by the World Beer Awards.  It’s a favorite of mine, but their seasonal beers are delightful as well.

3. Caipirinha

During my stint in Venezuela, we were lucky enough to be a hop, skip, and a jump from the Brazilian border.  This meant easy access to Brazil’s national cocktail, the Caipirinha.  Made with the local spirit cachaça (from distilled sugarcane juice), lime juice and sugar, the Caipirinha is a refreshing drink that’ll also get you schnockered if you’re not careful.  Cachaça is so inexpensive (about $4 for 750ml) that bartenders have been known to be heavy-handed with their pours (not that I’m complaining or anything).  Want to make your own? Here’s a video tutorial on how to make the perfect Caipirinha.

South American drinks you must try during your travels: Caipirinha from Brazil
Caipirinha ingredients (Source)

4. Pisco Sour

The Pisco Sour is probably my favorite cocktail on this list.  Since pisco, a liquor made from distilled grapes, hails from either Peru or Chile depending who you ask, the origins of the Pisco Sour remain a mystery–both countries also claim the Pisco Sour as their national drink and to have invented it.  The cocktail is made by shaking egg white, lime juice and simple syrup over ice; the final touch is a splash of bitters on the final, frothy product.  I fell in love with this potent concoction while learning to make it in a bar in Paracas on Peru’s southern coast and have been passing my knowledge on to friends and family ever since.  Here’s the recipe I know and love.

5. Chilcano

Another refreshing, limey cocktail, the Chilcano is made with Pisco, lime juice, simple syrup, bitters, and a carbonated topper of your choice (ginger ale or Sprite are suitable options).  If you find yourself in Lima, Peru, head to the historical center of the city to a bar named El Cordano, a traditional 1920s saloon seemingly impervious to the effects of time; their Chilcanos and Pisco Sours are excellent.  If you want to make one yourself, here’s the best recipe I could find.

South American drinks you must try during your travels: Pisco Sour on the left, Chilcano on the right.
Cocktail cousins: Pisco Sour on the left, Chilcano on the right.

6. Piscola

Pisco mixed with cola.  Not much to explain here, but I find it to be a welcome alternative to a boring old rum and coke.  Add a squeeze of lime for a kiss of tartness.

7. Maracuyá Sour

A Maracuyá Sour is simply a Pisco Sour made with passionfruit (maracuyá) juice in place of lime juice.  A tad bit sweeter than a Pisco Sour (unless you’re using fresh passionfruit juice) but delicious all the same.  Make your own here.

8. Sierra Andina Inti Golden Ale

Colombia’s not the only country upping their craft beer game.  Sierra Andina is a brewing company based in Huaraz, a high-altitude city in northern Peru, that’s aiming to foster a sense of local identity and community with their high-quality brews.  The beers aren’t sold everywhere just yet, so if you stumble upon an Inti Golden Ale (or any of Sierra Andina’s beers, for that matter) be sure to give it a try!

9. Fernet Cola

Fernet is a bitter, aromatic liquor from Italy with a distinct anise seed flavor.  It’s wildly popular in Argentina, making it an inescapable part of a trip to South America.  It’s often served on its own as a digestif but is commonly mixed with cola as well.  In my experience, Fernet-fueled nights are always a little wild.  When making your own, 2oz cola to 1oz Fernet is standard.

South American drinks you must try during your travels: Fernet cola in Argentina
Fernet Cola (Source)

10. Mango Bellini

Mango purée in place of peach purée makes for a lovely tropical twist on the peachy Italian cocktail.  I’m never one to turn down a Prosecco-based drink; this one is the perfect brunch accompaniment.

11. Torrontés

This white grape variety produces what is arguably Argentina’s most distinctive wine–Argentina is the only country in the world to produce it.  I sampled this refreshing, fruity, and moderately acidic white wine during a tour of the Cafayate wine region of northwestern Argentina, and again at Bodega Alta Vista in Mendoza.  I found it highly drinkable despite being more of a red wine devotee myself.

South American drinks you must try during your travels: Torrontes wine from Argentina.
Tasting Torrontés in Argentina.

12. Malbec

Maybe this goes without saying, but a trip to Argentina would not be complete without sampling a local Malbec.  I found the Malbec I tasted during my travels to be far superior to any I’d had in the United States; it seems they’re hoarding all the good stuff and exporting the rest.  Paired with a perfectly cooked steak, this red wine will knock your platform sandals right off.

What are your favorite potent potables from South America?

Read more South America posts:

16 comments

    • LaMochilera (author)

      Agreed, tasting local beers is an extremely important part of the cultural experience 😉 Toña was the best Nicaraguan beer for sure!

  • Justine

    Oh my god, I’m missing the aguardiente! I admit that the anise flavoring took me awhile to warm up to, but try spending four months in Indonesia drinking the terrible alcohol here and you’ll think aguardiente is the best thing ever too. One of my favorite memories in Cartagena is when Aaron and I were walking back to our apartment after one of Colombia’s World Cup victories. The streets were filled with people; it was just one big party. And this one crazily-drunk Colombian chick was plying us with shots of aguardiente. Ah, it was a good day 🙂
    Justine recently posted…The Nitty Gritty of Finding a Job in IndonesiaMy Profile

    • LaMochilera (author)

      Yeahh SE Asia doesn’t really have a lot of high quality alcohol, that’s for sure! Aguardiente is definitely better than I remember it, but I still don’t really go out of my way to drink it. My real beef with Colombia is that they don’t make any wine! Everything is imported and expensive, so it’s either a 1-liter box of shitty wine or one glass of something nice for the same price 🙁

  • Polly

    These all sound so interesting – I’d love to try some (except for the stuff with anise, I feel a little itchy just thinking about it)!
    Polly recently posted…To All the Russians Who…My Profile

    • LaMochilera (author)

      Anise is definitely not for everybody! Those two are probably my least favorite on this list.

  • Katie

    So many good ones to choose from. I usually stick with beer, because, well, I’m not very good with liquor – haha! I love anything with mango in it, but the Chapinero Porter would be my go to. I love craft breweries and they’re popping up everywhere these days!
    Katie recently posted…Packing Tips: Why and how to pack light (plus a giveaway!)My Profile

    • LaMochilera (author)

      I’m with you, liquor is my last choice these days if beer or wine are available instead. And I love craft beers too, I’m so happy they are becoming more readily available around here!

    • LaMochilera (author)

      I would fully support a lunchtime drink! I may be having one myself, it is American Thanksgiving today after all 🙂

    • LaMochilera (author)

      Haha awesome, I’m glad an Argentinian agrees! Malbec in Argentina is soo good…even better if it’s from Mendoza!

  • Ana O

    Pisco sour and caipirinha are my favourite cocktails. Torrontés is delicious but hard to find elsewhere. No matter, I bring some back whenever I visit home 🙂
    Ana O recently posted…The Natural History Museum of LondonMy Profile

    • Leah Davis (author)

      Pisco sour is a definite favorite for me! True about Torrontés, I had never heard of it before visiting Argentina! Good idea to bring some home!

  • Ray

    I’ve had Pisco Sour before in Peru, as well as went on a Pisco Winery tour in Ica. Still have a bottle from that trip, so perhaps I will mix with some Inca Cola when I get the chance. And I absolutely loved every Caipirinha I had in Brazil during World Cup 2014. You are right about the Brazilians making them extra strong if you aren’t careful!

    Otherwise, great to hear about the burgeoning craft beer scene in Colombia and Northern Peru as I have yet to visit either of those places. Argentina is also on my bucket list mainly for the wine region and to try Malbec straight from the source. I have had it at a few restaurants here in Toronto and absolutely love it! Will be interesting to see how different it tastes in Argentina as you stated above.
    Ray recently posted…Chicago’s Off-the-Beaten-Path Attractions – Kuipers Family FarmMy Profile

    • Leah Davis (author)

      You MUST go drink Argentinian wine from the source! It will change your life! 😉

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