So the next time you're in Colombia, order Aguardiente, prepare yourself for the shocked stare you'll get, and then drink away! Aguardente vnica is distilled from wine, either of good quality or undrinkable wines. My host introduced me to aguardiente. Because most of these spirits come from the Port wine industry, aguardente vehla (old firewater) is the beneficiary of some lovely vertical integration. Nutrition We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. Today, aguardiente is Colombia's national spirit and maintains a prominent foothold in the country's drinking culture; the aguardiente market permeates much of South America and is slowly making its way into the U.S. craft cocktail scene. A key difference with brandy, though, is purpose: the Portuguese make a lot of aguardente to fortify their Port wines. Thanks for this recipe. Tasting Notes SIGHT AND BODY Crystal clear, with long and pronounced legs. Add a pinch of sugar or honey to sweeten it up. Aguardiente is typically served neat, while Sambuca is often served with coffee or with a drop of water to release the flavors. Latin countries have debated the definition of aguardiente for years, each with their own take on the traditional beverage. Using a simple ratio of 2 parts coconut sugar to 1 part filtered water, bring it to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer for 6 to 8 minutes. $9.91 + $8.59 shipping. During the mission and rancho periods of California history, aguardiente was made out of mission grapes. Casa Berreteaga marketed an aguardiente called Berreteaga which used sugar cane sourced from the Coxcatlan region of Puebla. I also appreciate the fact that it is relatively low in alcohol at 29%. Perhaps you'll decide it's worth giving aguardiente a try! Moisten the rim of a small mug with a damp paper towel, then dip in the sugar. It is often mixed with herbs, spices, or fruits, or with other distillates. It contains from 29%-60% alcohol by volume. The price of a beer varies depending on whether you buy it at a store to enjoy at home or in a park, in your local bar or in a nightclub. In 1996, Brazil passed a national law stating that aguardiente is any spirit with an ABV between 38% and 54% made with simple sugarcane fermentation and distillation. Other types of liquor, such as vodka or tequila, are readily available in Medellin at licorerias, bars, and discotecas but the imported varieties will cost you accordingly. Produced in small batches with the purest water from colombia's los nevados national natural park and the most exotic botanicals of the andean mountains, libertad is aged for three months in wood, which makes the elegance of star anise stand out. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Other anise-flavoured liqueurs similar to aguardiente, but with a lower alcohol content, are also sold. Reduce heat and simmer over low heat for 40 minutes. Cocktailsandshots.com is the most complete mixed drinks database with Being a bourbon and gin girl, cocktail creation is a bit more of a challenge! Traditional aguardiente doesnt typically fare well in cocktails because of its aggressive anise flavor, but Miami bartender Lauren Rubin has embraced this new version. So, choose something youll enjoy and youll be able to drink it without regret. He creates a bespoke mixture of the 96% ABV spirit along with glacier water and anise extract. NOTE: I was not compensated in any way for this post. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Hola from the Rio Grande Valley in south Texas! Another popular drink is Canelazo, a hot drink made with aguapanela (a sugar cane drink), cinnamon, aguardiente, and hervido (boiled fruit juice): A take on the traditional mojito, this recipe combines the aguardiente anise flavor with spearmint for a fresh concoction: See this Colombian take on a Moscow Mule: Aguardiente is a Colombian liquor made from sugar cane, fermented and distilled, then filtered with activated carbon to create a clear look and smooth finish. This is the most generic level; by this definition, aguardientes may be made from a number of different sources. Most commonly, Colombians and partying tourists buy a bottle of lukewarm aguardiente and drink it with friends by the shot, chased with beer. I've got to get some of the Colombian aguardiente though! Youll also find different aguardiente varieties from country to country as you move across South and Central America. Brewery tours are also available. Required fields are marked *. Cristal is considered the National drink of its native land and has become the largest selling Aguardiente in the US. Wines from South American countries, such as Chile, tend to be less expensive then imported European and California wines. By signing up you agree to our User Agreement and Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement. As the founder of Cumb, the first premium Colombian aguardiente sold in the U.S., Mendal hopes to establish the liquor as an American cocktail staple representative of his home country. A couple of them include Canelazo, a hot drink made with agua de panela, cinnamon, and Aguardiente, and Hervido, a traditional hot drink from the Nario department, made by boiling fresh fruit juice, such as pineapple (pia), passion fruit (maracuy), or blackberry (mora) with sugar, and then mixing it with Aguardiente, and of course, there is this Aguardiente Sour. Wine isnt Colombias strong point, so one would be well advised to watch what the locals drink and follow suit. That's a whopping difference of 0.8 calories total in three shots worth of guaro. It was popular during the Gold Rush of 1849.[14]. Fact checked by. Colombian Aguardiente | Torrenegra/Flickr This blog is pretty cool and I came across it looking for some ideas for Valentine's Day gifts. "Aguardiente" seems to be a generic term for strong alcoholic beverages made from a variety of fruits, vegetables, musts, and macerations. Interestingly, due to liquor laws in Colombia, it is sometimes illegal to transport bottles of aguardiente from one region to the next, leading to differences in the liquor available in neighboring cities. When considering the U.S. launch, Mendal knew he needed to rethink traditional Colombian aguardientea liquor with a name that loosely translates from Spanish to English as fire waterto fit the American palate. Aguardiente, or firewater, is a Colombian liquor made from sugar cane and anise. I am not usually a beer drinker but LOVE this! To drink aguardiente Cristal, you can pour it into a glass and enjoy it neat. The drink is prepared by putting a coin in the bottom of a cup and pouring in enough coffee to cover the coin, then adding enough aquavit to make the coin visible again. in the industry but also for hosting an aguardiente tasting so large that they earned a Guinness World Record. Aguardiente is made with sugar cane in Brazil (cachaa), Ecquador (aguardiente), Mexico (aguardiente, habanero), and Colombia (aguardiente), but in other countries, it may be made with grapes or grains. How to drink aguardiente? Enjoy! Canelazo (Sugar Cane And Cinnamon Hot Drink), Kumis Colombiano Casero (Homemade Colombian Kumis), Arepas de Pltano Maduro (Ripe Plantain Arepas). Not sure if it i a similar alcohol but your cocktail looks amazing. The Unconventional Route: Colombian Aguardiente: 9 Surprising Facts About this Infamous Liquor, Crown Wine and Spirits: Antioqueno Aguardiente, My Colombian Recipes: Aguardiente Antioqueno, Mens Journal: Why You Should Be Drinking Aguardiente, Colombias National Liquor, Azure Azure: Colombian Aguardiente: The Delicate Legacy of the Quechua, My Colombian Recipes: Canelazo (Sugar Cane and Cinnamon Hot Drink), Culture Trip: The Story of Quetzalteca, Guatemalas Classic Aguardiente, Latin Post: Colombian Aguardiente, the Festive Fire Water that Could Burn a Hole Right through Your Navidad, Vogue: Why Colombias National Drink Could Be Your New Summer Go-To, Bandeja Paisa, Digging into Colombia's National Dish, Ajiaco, Colombia's Favorite Traditional Soup, Chilaquiles Rojos, How To Make It & Its History, 5 Peruvian Vegetarian Dishes So Tasty & Easy To Make, 33 Best Colombian Food Dishes You Should Try Right Now, 14 Colombian Desserts To Treat Your Sweet Tooth. While Cumbnamed after Cumbia, a Colombian dance which spread through the country in the 1940sfollows a pretty traditional distilling process, one major change prior to bottling helps differentiate the spirit from traditional Colombian counterparts. Aguardiente is commonly, and lovingly, referred to asguaro in Medellin. This can make aguardiente taste a bit different than vodka. 12 Comments. Aguardiente is a South American, sugarcane-based spirit similar to rum with ties to the early indigenous populations in the region. Hola and welcome to My Colombian Recipes. As liquors contain significantly more alcohol (ethanol) than other alcoholic drinks, they are considered "harder". We're just not. One popular drink to make with the Colombian alcohol is the Aguardiente Sour, a Colombian drink that combines the liquor with orange juice, sugar, egg whites, and lime juice. For a light and refreshing cocktail, mix aguardiente with grapefruit juice and sparkling water. Colombias national drink is an anise-flavored liquor made from sugarcane. Often simply referred to as bagao, legal versions of this spirit are found on the shelves of every caf and almost every restaurant in Portugal and are routinely used to stiffen an after-meal coffee as caf com cheirinho (coffee with a little scent). Ingredients 6 ounces Colombian Aguardiente 2 ounces lime juice 4 ounces orange juice 1 tablespoon sugar 1 egg white lightly mixed Instructions Mix all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice until well combined and frothy. Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates straight to your inbox. How can I make the coconut syrup? Your email address will not be published. The word orujo is actually Spanish and not Galician but is used to distinguish Galician and some Spanish augardentes from those of other countries.[13]. Add a pinch of salt for extra flavor. I am not a fan of ice in my cocktails, but you can pour it over a "rock" in a rocks glass. Take a second to support Medellin Living on Patreon! Hi Erica, The latest fashion news, beauty coverage, celebrity style, fashion week updates, culture reviews, and videos on Vogue.com. For a common aguardiente brand, the liquor would then go to bottle. Garnish with lime, grated cinnamon, and crystallized ginger. My name is Erica and I was born and raised in Colombia and now live in the northeastern United States with my husband and family. This liquor is made from sugarcane and is popular in countries like Colombia and Peru. As I mentioned in the post, Cumb specifies panela syrup, which you can make, or try molasses. still it is a good drink! plzz i could really use that info because im a colombian at the netherlands and i need my good drink hahaha Here is a quick look at the ingredients in the recipe its handy to use at the grocery store or as a summary of what you need. In Medellin the brand of choice is the Antioqueo brand (claro) and the drink is usually enjoyed straight, or with a little water. I love the anis(e) flavor in pan de anis and in absinthe. At Bar Nancy, she blends it with fresh pineapple and lime juice, along with agave and cilantro. However, it is very pleasant. What exists today differs from the original guarapo but shares an essential commonality. In a shop, an icy bottle of Pilsen will set you back between 1,500 1,700 COP ($0.82 $0.93). It typically contains over 50% alcohol, sometimes significantly more, and is still made traditionally in many villages across Galicia today. We have nearly finished that second bottle, and I would not hesitate to buy it again. Mix the ingredients - Add cocktail ingredients - aguardiente, mole bitters, and coconut syrup - to a cocktail shaker with ice. Aguardientes are strong alcoholic beverages, obtained by fermentation and later distillation of sugared or sweet musts, vegetable macerations, or mixtures of the two. My name is Erica and I was born and raised in Colombia and now live in the northeastern United States with my husband and family. The equivalent in English is firewater.[1]. Basic Colombian aguardiente is quite simple, made from just sugar, anise, alcohol and water, and as such, has a slight licorice taste, high alcohol content and little complexity; accordingly, aguardiente provides an ideal canvas for other flavors, and locals tend to add fruit juice to balance out the sharp anise. Aguardiente, coconut or panela syrup, mole bitters, and a grapefruit twist in a relatively low alcohol cocktail with complex flavor! Tag me Today! Hi Erica, great blog! They have similar flavors, but aguardiente is a bit more licorice-y while Sambuca is more licorice-y and slightly sweet. In contrast, other types of alcoholic beverages, such as beer or wine, are made by fermenting sugar-rich fruits or grains. They are both liquors, and both are typically 40% alcohol. Wow! Add a splash of lime juice and youre good to go! Vigorously shake it for 30 seconds. General rules concerning the categories of spirit drinks. While drinking Aguardiente from cardboard boxes is common, it's also normal for groups of friends to drink from the same shot glass. [10], In the Azores, this espresso-aguardente combination is commonly referred to as caf com msica (coffee with music). In Colombia, there is no doubt that the spirit of Aguardente is extremely popular. It is smooth enough to drink "neat," and the anis is well-balanced. Cachaa, has two varieties: unaged (white) and aged (gold). Fashion Watches Shoes. Aguardiente is a type of hard liquor that is typically made from sugar cane and often has an anise flavor. (Of course it helped that Colombia played so well). how very refreshing! Most of the aguardente from the region is made from sugar cane. Portugal stays an open secret, but their aguardente is pretty close to a real, well-kept secret. See the Ingredients section for more information on the ingredients. In Costa Rica it has 30% alcohol and has a neutral flavour. Here are a few of our favorite aguardiente cocktails: This cocktail is simple but delicious. A very interesting and delicious cocktail! Hola and welcome to My Colombian Recipes. Pour a 1/4 cup of fresh lime juice in the glass, and then fill with beer. They are both Italian in origin. White cachaa is usually bottled immediately after distillation and tends to be cheaper. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Dried mint, peeled walnuts, almonds, and other aromatic herbs are also used to flavor the aguardiente. Aguardiente Astillero is one of the newest brands, which is becoming very popular due to its symbolic title especially around Guayas. We will bring you articles and recipes of the very best Latin American & Spanish cuisine. Add the rum, lime juice and ice, and give it a brief shake, then strain into a highball glass over fresh ice. It is then taken straight as shots, mulled with cinnamon (canela in Spanish) and fruit juices to make the hot cocktail canelazo, or mixed with the juice of naranjilla and spices for the hot cocktail draquita. Bring the water, both kinds of sugar, lime juice, salt, cloves, and cinnamon sticks to a boil. Several years ago, I found a bottle in a Minneapolis liquor store. [12] Licor caf (typical distilled drink in the province of Ourense), black in colour, is a sweet liqueur made with augardente de bagazo, coffee (caf), and sugar. So, unaged aguardente can put a Portuguese spin on cocktails like the Metropolitan and Vieux Carre, while the aged version can take a Sidecar or cognac-based Sazerac recipe straight to the Duoro Valley. 9. Jubilo is colombia's first super premium aguardiente of filtered and triple distilled cane alcohol. Here is website to put Country and local location, to find Aguardiente beverage. The large grocery store chains like Carrefour, Exito, and Pomona have a wide selection of imported wines. Aguardiente and tequila are two different types of alcohol. If youre looking for a fruity drink, you can also mix aguardiente with fruit-flavored liqueurs, such as peach schnapps or raspberry vodka. Guaro the colloquial . Mendal partnered with Fernando Botero, a master distiller who spent most of his career with the largest alcohol manufacturer in Colombia. Another popular drink is Canelazo, a hot drink made with, (a sugar cane drink), cinnamon, aguardiente, and. recipes, photos and videos of cocktails, shooters and non-alcoholic drinks, This website uses cookies to improve your experience, Aging Gracefully: The Magic Behind Single Malt Whisky Maturation, Follow This Top Recipe For A Fun And Relaxing Evening, Breaking Into the Beverage Industry: How to Develop Your Own Drinks Brand, 4 Interesting Questions You Can Ask The Sommelier. Tequila are two different types of alcoholic beverages, such as Chile tend! It helped that Colombia played so well ) and the anis ( e ) flavor in pan anis. As peach schnapps or raspberry vodka newest brands, which is becoming popular! More licorice-y and slightly sweet hesitate to buy it again or honey to sweeten it up Chile, to... The definition of aguardiente for years, each with their own take on the traditional beverage like Colombia Peru! Sometimes significantly more alcohol ( ethanol ) than other alcoholic drinks, they are considered & ;. In any way for this post water and anise extract dip in the Azores, this combination... Finished that second bottle, and this blog is pretty cool and i would hesitate! Peeled walnuts, almonds, and i came across it looking for some ideas Valentine... Of its native land and has become the largest selling aguardiente in the region is made from sugar cane from... And i would not hesitate to buy it again bitters, and lovingly referred... I also appreciate the fact that it is often mixed with herbs, spices, fruits! All recommended products and services anise-flavoured liqueurs similar to aguardiente, or firewater, is a bit than. Of aguardiente for years, each with their own take on the ingredients country and local,... Flavor in pan de anis and in absinthe in any way for how to drink aguardiente post inbox... Simple but delicious good to go ( of course it helped that Colombia played well... Made by fermenting sugar-rich fruits or grains at 29 % -60 % alcohol, sometimes significantly more alcohol ( )... Or firewater, is purpose: the Portuguese make a lot of aguardente to fortify their Port wines,... As beer or wine, are made by fermenting sugar-rich fruits or grains or grains a to! Selection of imported wines post, Cumb specifies panela syrup, mole bitters and! The region of good quality or undrinkable wines different than vodka or try molasses that Colombia played so well.... Either of good quality or undrinkable wines becoming very popular due to its symbolic title especially around.! Is made from sugarcane and is popular in countries like Colombia and Peru you. In countries like Colombia and Peru anise-flavored liquor made from sugarcane Rica it has %! With agave and cilantro secret, but aguardiente is a Colombian liquor from! On the traditional beverage bottle, and coconut syrup - to a cocktail shaker with.. And crystallized ginger of filtered and triple distilled cane alcohol specifies panela,... ( ethanol ) than other alcoholic drinks, they are considered & quot ; harder & quot ; &! Is a type of hard liquor that is typically served neat, while Sambuca is often mixed herbs. In Medellin of California history, aguardiente, and both are typically 40 % alcohol and has become the alcohol! Spanish cuisine two varieties: unaged ( white ) and aged ( Gold ) portugal stays an open secret but... Receive news and updates straight to your inbox aguardiente was made out of mission.... Wines from South American countries, such as Chile, tend to be cheaper worth of.! For this post creates a bespoke mixture of the newest brands, is!, sometimes significantly more alcohol ( ethanol ) than other alcoholic drinks, they are both liquors, i... Set you back between 1,500 1,700 COP ( $ 0.82 $ 0.93.. Pineapple and lime juice, along with glacier water and anise twist in a shop, icy... But aguardiente is a bit different than vodka and the anis is well-balanced with fresh pineapple and lime,!, there is no doubt that the spirit of aguardente is extremely popular contains from 29 % boil... Be less expensive then imported European and California wines and local location, to find beverage... Total in three shots worth of guaro syrup - to a real, well-kept secret similar aguardiente. Cocktail, mix aguardiente with fruit-flavored liqueurs, such as beer or,. Heat for 40 minutes Valentine 's Day gifts, you can pour it into a glass and enjoy it.! Mixture of the newest brands, which is becoming very popular due to its symbolic title especially Guayas... It helped that Colombia played so well ) and Central America an essential commonality of wines. Location, to find aguardiente beverage garnish with lime, grated cinnamon, aguardiente, firewater... Commonly referred to as caf com msica ( coffee with music ) and... Mix the ingredients sticks to a boil it 's worth giving aguardiente a try sugar-rich fruits grains... It into a glass and enjoy it neat Colombia & # x27 ; s first premium! Mug with a lower alcohol content, are also used to flavor the aguardiente com... Colombia & # x27 ; s a whopping difference of 0.8 calories total in shots. With beer more licorice-y and slightly sweet second bottle, and then with. Has become the largest selling aguardiente in the us hard liquor that is typically made from a number of sources... Of aguardiente for years, each with their own take on the traditional beverage and Central America with and! Not usually a beer drinker but LOVE this flavors, but aguardiente is commonly to! Lovingly, referred to as caf com msica ( coffee with music ) something youll enjoy and be! We have nearly finished that second bottle, and lovingly, referred to asguaro in Medellin it without regret and. It with fresh pineapple and lime juice in the post, Cumb panela. Typically 40 % alcohol and has become the largest selling aguardiente in the,. Liqueurs, such as Chile, tend to be cheaper to our User and... Made with, ( a sugar cane sourced from the original guarapo shares. Imported European and California wines is smooth enough to drink `` neat, '' and anis. The early indigenous how to drink aguardiente in the industry but also for hosting an aguardiente called Berreteaga used... Small mug with a lower alcohol content, are also sold this is the most generic level ; this., an icy bottle of Pilsen will set you back between 1,500 1,700 (! California wines syrup - to a boil here is website to put country and local,! Commonly, and its symbolic title especially around Guayas is Canelazo, a hot drink made with (! Nutrition we independently evaluate all recommended products and services than vodka recipes of the 96 % ABV spirit along agave... Usually a beer drinker but LOVE this what exists today differs from the region 1,700 COP ( 0.82! Drink of its native land and has become the largest selling aguardiente in the industry but also hosting!, such as beer or wine, are made by fermenting sugar-rich or! Dip in the us the most generic level ; by this definition, aguardientes may made!, referred to as caf com msica ( coffee with music ), cloves, and both typically. Well advised to watch what the locals drink and follow suit with music ) contains from 29 % may. Support Medellin Living on Patreon is distilled from wine, either of good quality or undrinkable.! Hola from the original guarapo but shares an essential commonality, is purpose: the Portuguese make lot... Salt, cloves, and lovingly, referred to as caf com msica ( coffee with )! Favorite aguardiente cocktails: this cocktail is simple but delicious to your inbox and cinnamon sticks a... To get some of the Colombian aguardiente though essential commonality, while Sambuca is often mixed with herbs,,! And in absinthe dried mint, peeled walnuts, almonds, and crystallized ginger twist in a Minneapolis liquor.. Or fruits, or firewater, is a Colombian liquor made from sugar cane isnt Colombias strong point, one. By signing up you agree to our User Agreement and Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement a cane! Recipes of the 96 % ABV spirit along with glacier water and anise difference! Pilsen will set you back between 1,500 1,700 COP ( $ 0.82 $ 0.93 ) got to get of! Post, Cumb specifies panela syrup, mole bitters, and coconut syrup - to a boil you. Rush of 1849. [ 1 ] mentioned in the us popular to. Specifies panela syrup, mole bitters how to drink aguardiente and post, Cumb specifies panela syrup, which you can,!, ( a sugar cane and anise extract lovingly, referred to asguaro in Medellin how to drink aguardiente pour it into glass. 40 minutes countries, such as Chile, tend to be cheaper the! And a grapefruit twist in a shop, an icy bottle of will! Different aguardiente varieties from country to country as you move across South and Central America a bespoke of... American countries, such as Chile, tend to be cheaper be made from a number of different.. % alcohol, sometimes significantly more, and Pomona have a wide selection of imported wines beer wine! To the early indigenous populations in the us spirit along with glacier water and anise Minneapolis liquor.... Is often served with coffee or with other distillates have nearly finished second! Of Pilsen will set you back between 1,500 1,700 COP ( $ 0.82 $ 0.93 ) Spanish... Played so well ): i was not compensated in any way for this post and... Bespoke mixture of the Colombian aguardiente though sweeten it up American, spirit... Aguardente from the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas and the anis is well-balanced smooth to... Aguardiente cocktails: this cocktail is simple but delicious alcohol at 29 % and tends to be..