Best Aguardiente Cocktails: The Top Recipes to Try

Aguardiente is a popular South American liquor with a rich history. Made from fermented sugarcane, this fiery spirit packs a punch in cocktails.

The best aguardiente cocktails highlight the liquor’s robust flavor profile. Recipes containing citrus, tropical fruits, coffee liqueurs, and spices. Classic aguardiente cocktails include the Caipirinha, Colombian Coffee, and Chilean Pisco Sour.

In this post, you’ll see

1. The top recipes for aguardiente cocktails you must try.
2. How to mix aguardiente with other ingredients for the best taste.
3. Tips for choosing the right aguardiente for your cocktails.
4. Ideas for garnishing your cocktails to add extra flair.

Classic Aguardiente Cocktail Recipes

These traditional aguardiente cocktails showcase why this South American liquor has stood the test of time. Familiarize yourself with these foundational recipes before crafting your own variations.

Caipirinha

The national cocktail of Brazil, the Caipirinha also highlights aguardiente wonderfully. This refreshing blend of lime, sugar, and cachaça (similar to aguardiente) suits any occasion.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz aguardiente
• 1 lime, cut into small wedges
• 1-2 tsp sugar

Instructions:

1. Place the lime wedges and sugar into an old fashioned glass. Use a muddler to mash the lime and dissolve the sugar.
2. Fill the glass with crushed ice and add the aguardiente.
3. Stir briefly to blend and garnish with a lime wedge.

The Caipirinha balances aguardiente’s sweet, grassy notes with tart citrus and a hint of sweetness. For added flair, rim the glass with sugar or salt before serving.

Colombian Coffee

This warming cocktail perfectly showcases aguardiente’s natural affinity with coffee liqueurs. Sip this after dinner nightcap as an ideal final note.

Ingredients:

• 1 1⁄2 oz aged aguardiente
• 1⁄2 oz coffee liqueur
• 1⁄2 oz simple syrup
• 1 oz heavy cream

Instructions:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add all the ingredients and shake vigorously until chilled.
3. Strain into a martini glass or coupe.
4. Garnish with cocoa powder or coffee beans.

The grassy aguardiente mingles lusciously with rich coffee and vanilla flavors in this cocktail. Feel free to experiment with different coffee liqueurs like Kahlúa or Mr. Black.

Chilean Pisco Sour

While pisco may seem an unorthodox choice, its herbaceous flavor profile complements aguardiente wonderfully in this variation of a Pisco Sour.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz aguardiente
• 1 oz pisco
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1⁄2 oz simple syrup
• 1 egg white
• Angostura bitters

Instructions

1. Add all the ingredients except bitters to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds.
3. Strain into a chilled glass.
4. Garnish with several drops of Angostura bitters.

The pisco’s subtle fruit flavors balance the robust aguardiente beautifully. Egg white creates a luscious foam to crown this shaken cocktail perfectly.

Modern Aguardiente Cocktail Recipes

Beyond the classics, aguardiente also shines in creative modern cocktails. Try these contemporary recipes featuring tropical fruits, herbaceous liqueurs, and spices.

Mango Colada

Transport yourself to the tropics with this frozen blend of rum, aguardiente, mango, and coconut.

Ingredients:

• 1 1⁄2 oz aguardiente
• 1 1⁄2 oz spiced rum
• 1⁄2 oz coconut liqueur
• 1⁄4 cup mango puree
• 1⁄4 cup coconut milk
• 1 cup ice

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth and frothy.
3. Pour into a chilled glass.
4. Garnish with mango slices and toasted coconut.

The mango and coconut provide a fruity counterpoint to the sugarcane and warm baking spice flavors. Make it a double-serve cocktail for sharing on a beach or patio.

Anise Sour

For an inventive take on a Whiskey Sour, try this recipe using aguardiente’s inherent anise flavor.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz aguardiente
• 1 oz Aperol
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1⁄2 oz simple syrup
• Orange slice

Instructions:

1. Shake all ingredients except orange slice vigorously with ice.
2. Double strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
3. Garnish with an orange slice.

The anise notes of Aperol and aguardiente mingle deliciously here, balanced by tart lemon. For added complexity, use a salted lemon or grapefruit syrup.

Spicy Paloma

Put a south-of-the-border twist on the tequila classic with aguardiente’s spice.

Ingredients:

• 1 1⁄2 oz reposado tequila
• 1⁄2 oz aguardiente
• 1 oz fresh grapefruit juice
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1⁄2 oz agave nectar
• Pinch of chili powder
• Grapefruit wedge

Instructions:

1. Rim a highball glass with chili powder.
2. Fill the glass with ice.
3. Add tequila, aguardiente, juices, and agave.
4. Stir gently and garnish with a grapefruit wedge.

The aguardiente adds a warming contrast to the citrusy tequila and grapefruit flavors. Tailor the spice level to your preferences with the chili rim.

People Also Ask About Aguardiente Cocktails

What is the best way to drink aguardiente?

While aguardiente can certainly be sipped neat, it truly excels when used as a mixer in cocktails. Its robust, sugary flavor profile pairs wonderfully with citrus, tropical fruits, coffee, and spices. Mix with lighter spirits like rum, tequila, or vodka for balance.

What are popular aguardiente cocktails?

Some of the most popular classic aguardiente cocktails are the Caipirinha, Colombian Coffee, and Pisco Sour. Modern recipes like the Mango Colada and Spicy Paloma also highlight aguardiente well.

What ingredients complement aguardiente?

Aguardiente’s bold flavor requires equally strong supporting ingredients. Look to citrus juices, coffee liqueurs, tropical fruit purees, spices like anise and chilis, and herbaceous spirits like tequila, pisco, and rum.

How do you drink aguardiente shots?

For shot purposes, look for a younger aguardiente around 29% ABV. While sipping straight may be intense, you can temper the heat by pairing a shot with beer, citrus garnishes, or salted rims.

Can you make aguardiente cocktails without citrus?

While challenging due to their bitterness, aguardiente cocktails can be crafted without citrus. Substitute ingredients like mango, pineapple, ginger, or coconut water to balance the sweetness. Coffee-based cocktails also skip the citrus entirely.

Conclusion

Infusing cocktails with aguardiente’s fiery flavor makes for seriously delicious drinks. Both classic recipes and creative new combinations highlight this South American spirit’s amazing potential.

By pairing aguardiente with bright citrus, tropical fruits, spice, and coffee liqueurs, you can craft well-balanced cocktails. Use a delicate hand and chill drinks thoroughly for optimal enjoyment of aguardiente’s bold personality.