Travel Stories

Sampling new cuisines is one of the highlights of traveling in Colombia, and really immerses a tourist into the local culture and customs. Favorite meals, local fruits and vegetables, and regional drinks add to the experience of traveling; not taking the time to try unique food and drinks is a sadly missed opportunity. There are a variety of beverages that are a unique and delicious part of the Colombian travel experience. Here are five drinks you don't want to miss during your Colombian tour.

1. photo by Marcelo Trasel (via Flickr)

   Chocolate santafereño

   You haven't had hot chocolate until you've had chocolate santafereño (which means from the Bogota area). In Colombia, hot chocolate is almost a meal in itself, and is usually a primary component of breakfast. Made with dark, crumbly Colombian chocolate, milk, and unrefined sugar cane (panela), this rich and satisfying beverage packs a surprise element: cheese. Similar to the delightful combination of sea salt and caramel, the salty flavor and smooth texture of the cheese adds the perfect balance to this sweet drink.

   
   

2. 

   Jugo de Lulo

   Lulo is the fruit of a common plant, and is sometimes called naranjilla in other countries, which means "little orange." This tart and citrusy fruit is well-loved and used in variety of recipes, but jugo (juice) de lulo is the most popular in Colombia. This refreshing beverage is preferred by locals in warmer regions of Colombia, as it's extremely refreshing and thirst-quenching. The flavor is sometimes described as a cross between rhubarb and a lime-like citrus flavor. Jugo de lulo is made by blending, and then straining, the fruit. Lulo juice should be easy to find and definitely on your list for its unique flavor.

   
   

3. photo by Jorge (via Flickr)

   Aguardiente

   Aguardiente, which means "fiery water," is the incredible product of distilled or fermented sugar cane, or sometimes fruit, depending on what is available. A traditional aguardiente of Colombia is anise flavored and very popular in the Andean region. Different anise seeds can lend a variety of flavors, and competition between makers of aguardiente can be fierce. You might need to try several shots of the different varieties before you find one you love, but it's strong, so pace yourself!

   
   

4. photo by Martha Rivero (via Flickr)

   Aguapanela

   Aguapanela simply means "sugar water," which might trigger memories of Vincent D’Onofrio in Men in Black, but this sugar water has a lot more to offer your taste buds than you might imagine. Panela is made from raw, unfiltered sugar cane juice that has been boiled and evaporated into a solid form. The panela is then dissolved into water, and can be served hot or cold. Some flavor additions include lemon or lime juice, or milk and cheese, like the Colombian hot chocolate. For a real treat, try black coffee made with aguapanela instead of plain water.

   
   

5. 

   Canelazo

   Canelazo is a hot beverage, and sort of like the wassail of Colombia. It's made with aguardiente, aguapanela, cinnamon, mint and fruit juice. This fruity, spicy, alcoholic beverage is popular around the holidays, and served in a sugar-rimmed mug. The fruit juice can be omitted, and like many other festive beverages, the aguardiente can be skipped for a non-alcoholic version, but will be missing that anise flavoring.

   
   

All of these tantalizing beverages, and many more, can be woven into your travel experience on any of Uncharted Colombia’s adventure tours. What drinks are you ready to try? Colombia is waiting.