Drinks

Coffee — The National Drink

Colombia produces the third most coffee in the world, but the drinking experience in the country is paradoxical:

• Tinto: The standard coffee. A small, often very sweet black coffee, sold everywhere for 500–2,000 COP (0.10–0.50€) — on the street, on the bus, in offices. Quality: often mediocre, but a social ritual.
• Café de origen / Café especial: In the growing specialty coffee bars of the big cities, you can get excellent single-origin coffee, pour-over, Chemex, cold brew. Price: 5,000–12,000 COP (1.20–3€). Bogotá, Medellín, and the coffee zone have excellent cafés.

Jugos Naturales (Fruit Juices)

Colombia is a fruit paradise, and the fresh juices are among the best the country has to offer culinarily. Order "en agua" (with water) or "en leche" (with milk). Many fruits are unknown in Europe:

• Lulo: Sour-refreshing, the most popular fruit in Colombia. As juice, ice cream, or cocktail.
• Maracuyá (Passion Fruit): Intense, sweet-sour. In juices, desserts, and as an Aguardiente cocktail.
• Guanábana (Soursop): Creamy, sweet, unlike anything else in the world. Best as a smoothie with milk.
• Mango: Colombian mangoes are incredible. On the roadside for 1,000 COP, sliced with salt and lime.
• Borojó: The "wonder fruit" of the Pacific — supposedly aphrodisiac. Extremely nutritious.

Aguardiente — The Nation's Spirit

Aguardiente (literally: "firewater") is Colombia's national spirit: an anise-flavored brandy with 24–29% alcohol, crystal clear, sweetish, with a distinct licorice taste. Each department has its own brand: Antioqueño (Medellín), Néctar (Boyacá), Llanero (Llanos).

Aguardiente is drunk neat and ice-cold in small shot glasses — "shot por shot". At every party, in every bar, on every occasion. The rule: If you're invited, you can't refuse (at least not the first one). Insider tip: Aguardiente mixed with Lulo juice makes the perfect cocktail.

Beer

Colombia's beer landscape is dominated by two brands:

• Club Colombia (Dorada): The premium lager. Decent, slightly malty. In restaurants from 5,000 COP (1.20€).
• Águila: The people's beer. Lighter, cheaper, ubiquitous. Ice-cold from the bottle on the beach — perfect.
• Poker: Even cheaper, more for mass consumption.
• Craft Beer: The craft beer scene is booming in Bogotá and Medellín. Bogotá Beer Company (BBC), 3 Cordilleras (Medellín), and Cervecería Libre are the stars.