Typical Colombian alcoholic drinks in Bogotá & their recipes

In this article we will cover three typical alcoholic drinks from Bogotá “Refajo”, “Canelazo” and “Chicha.” These are so delicious and easy to prepare. If you want to learn more, keep reading!

Refajo

Refajo is a mix of Colombiana (Colombian soda, some people say that it tastes like bubblegum) and beer (commonly Colombian beers as “Águila”, “Póker”, “Club Colombia”, etc.). We drink this typical drink at lunchtime (most common at BBQs or “Asados” in Spanish) or at gathering personally, I really love this beverage because it’s so refreshing and delicious and the best part of all is that it is perfect for hangovers.

Ingredients (5-6 people):

• 1 liter of Colombiana soda “ 1 litro de Gaseosa Colombiana”
• 1-2 liters of beer usually pale beer “Cerveza pálida”” (it depends of how much alcohol do you want, Colombian famous beers are: “Poker”, “Club Colombia” and “Aguila”) Click here to know more about it.
• 4 cups ice “Hielo”
• Large Pitcher “Jarra larga”

Optional:

• 3 Aguardiente shots “Aguardiente” (The most common colombian aguardientes are: “Antioqueño”, “Néctar”, ”Cristal”, “Tapa Roja”, ”LLanero”)
• 1-2 Pony Malta bottles “ 2 Botellas de Pony Malta”

Directions:

1. Put the ice in the large pitcher
2. Add the soda and beer at the same time and mix it
3. Add the Aguardiente shots and the pony malta (optional)
4. Serve

Approximate Budget:

• Colombian soda “Gaseosa Colombiana”(1 liter):  $2,700 COP ($0.9 USD)
• Pale beer “Cerveza Pálida” (2 liters (6 pack)) $14,300 COP ($4.7 USD)
• Ice “Hielo” (1 UN): $3,000 COP ($1 USD)
• Aguardiente Néctar (250 ml): $10,600COP ($3.5 USD)
• Pony Malta (2 bottles (330ml each one)) : $3,000 COP ($1USD)
• Total: $33,600 COP ($ 11.2 USD)

Canelazo

Canelazo is a hot drink that is made with “Agua de panela” (sugar cane drink; see Typical Colombian Drinks in Bogotá & their recipes if you want to know how to prepare it), cinnamon sticks and aguardiente (anise flavored liquor).  This beverage is perfect when you are cold and you want to get warm. We used to drink Canelazo in “La Calera” (see: Where to stay in Bogotá: Meet La Calera) and “Monserrate” on Christmas when we do bonfires with our friends. Canelazo is a tasty drink that you will probably love.

Ingredients (5-6 people):

• 2 cups of “Agua de Panela” (sugar cane drink)
• 1 cup of aguardiente
• 4 cinnamon sticks “Canela en astilla”
• ½ teaspoon lime juice “Limon”
• Sugar “Azúcar”

Directions:

1. Put the agua de panela, aguardiente and the cinnamon sticks in a medium-low pot over medium heat. Simmer for about 7 minutes. Don’t let it boil.
2. To serve: moisten the cups with lime juice and then line the rims with sugar.
3. Fill the cup with canelazo and serve.

Approximate Budget:

• Panela (1000g): $5,700 COP ($2 USD)
• Aguardiente “Antioqueño” (375 ml): $17,750COP ($3.5 USD)
• Cinnamon “Canela en astilla” (11 gr): $2,300 COP ($0.77 USD)
• 1 Lime juiced “Limon” $400 COP ($0.13 USD)
• Sugar “Azúcar” (1000g): $2,500 COP ($0.83 USD)
• Total: $28,650 COP ($ 9.55 USD)

Chicha

Chicha is one of the most popular and typical Colombian alcoholic drinks made with corn and it is an indigenous beverage that has come to be an icon in Bogotá. It has a unique and interesting flavor that the fermentation adds to this drink. You can find it in a lot of places in Bogotá, most common in “La Candelaria” (see: Best Neighborhoods in Bogotá: Why You Should Stay in La Candelaria) and “Chorro de Quevedo” where you can get drunk with your friends. In these places, you can find different Chicha flavors. Fun fact: some friends of mine say that the hangover with Chicha is worse than a normal one. Also, if you want to try Chicha and know all about its history, you can go to the Chicha Museum “El Museo de la Chicha.” It is located in “Chorro de Quevedo” and it has a cost of $10,000 COP (3.3 USD).

Ingredients (5-6 people):

• ½ pound of cooked dried corn “Maiz Peto”  (yellow corn)
• ½ pound of panela (sugar cane)
• 2 cinnamon sticks “Canela en astillas”
• 12 cups of water “Agua”

Directions:

1. Combine all the ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a boil, cover the pot, and reduce the heat to low.
2. Cook for 1 hour and then uncover the pot and continue cooking for 20 minutes more.
3. Remove from the heat and let it cool.
4. Take half of the corn and place in the blender or food processor. Return it to the pot and mix well.
5. Place in a non-reactive container or a clay pot for a stronger flavor.
6. Put in the fridge until it is completely cold.
7. If you want a stronger flavor, ferment it for 5-15 days.

Approximate Budget:

• Cooked dried corn “Maiz Peto” (1000 gr): $1,600 COP (0.53 USD)
• Panela (1000g): $5,700 COP ($2 USD)
• Cinnamon “Canela en astilla” (11 gr): $2,300 COP ($0.77 USD)
• Total: $9,600 COP ($ 3.2 USD)

Famous places to try “Chicha” in Bogotá:

1. Cerro de Monserrate (Carrera 2E #21-48)
2. Chorro de Quevedo
3. La Candelaria

You can buy all of these ingredients in almost every grocery store close to where you are staying. For example, D1, “Justo y Bueno”, “Exito Express” or bigger markets as “Exito”, “Jumbo”, “Carulla”, “Surtimax”, etc.

Well, I chose these 3 typical Colombian alcoholic drinks because one of them is traditional (Chicha) and the others are popular and common. Thank you for reading, remember to comment below and share if you like it! 

If you want to learn how to prepare other typical drinks without alcohol click on: Typical Colombian drinks in Bogotá & their Recipes. Continue exploring our amazing city and follow us on Facebook & Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter.