Chile Typical Drinks

CHILE

The soil and water temperatures, together with the times of the conquest by the Spaniards, have facilitated the development of the wine industry in Chile. In Chile there are high variety of alcoholic preparations. Below is a list of some typical Chilean drinks. Most are alcoholic but there does seem to be some non-alcoholic ones that managed to slip in.

Bigoteado

The drink to keep away from is the bigoteado which is a combination of all the liquid leftoversof any glasses that happen to be lying around. This is usually given to someone as a practical joke after they’ve had a few too many glasses of vino (wine). You must avoid drinking this no matter what state you are in.

Borgoña and Clery

Not much appreciated among national drinks and on the way of extinction, these two beverages are popular punches of the Central zone of Chile. Borgoña is another lovely pairing of Chilean cold red wine and chopped strawberries. Red wine is poured over the strawberries and let sit for several hours, or serve immediately. Some like to add little sugar to taste. 

Another variation, especially popular in the Chilean countryside, is called Clery. Clery, according to many specialists of the national cuisine, might have its origins in the city of Talca and its good white grapevines, with which a young and sweet white wine is prepared with the addition of fragrant strawberries from across the Claro River.

Chicha

Chicha, a generic name for cider in Chile, is made from the variety of fruits depending on where they are making it. It is sweet fermented wine typically made from apples though sometimes obtained from fermented grapes too. The fermentation of apple juice, which is called apple chicha, is produced at the end of summer in the regions of Los Ríos and Los Lagos.  Chicha is a traditional drink of the celebrations of ancient times related to the independence of Chile around the 18th of September.

Chicha with oranges

Pink and fizzy chicha comes in a large glass with a couple of juicy orange slices. It is excellent as an aperitif, though not recommended for foreigners little accustomed to the rusticity of the preparation.

Cola de Mono ("Monkey tail")

Cola de Mono is a typical drink around Christmas time. It is a cold drink that contained aguardiente liquor with milk, coffee, sugar and cinnamon. Now it is possible to find it bottled on supermarket shelves, but it will never beat the homemade one, prepared from grandma’s old recipe or from some of the old maid’s.

Cuba Libre

Cuba Libre is a cocktail made of Cola, rum, and lime. This other preparation with a cola soft drink and Cuban rum had its peak in the 60’s.

Culén Punch

Culén is a bush found all over the Central zone of Chile. From its bark, a punch is prepared that also contains clove, cinnamon, sugar and aguardiente (hard brandy).

Jote (vulture)

With the arrival of some foreign beverages, especially the colas, some drinks were born. In Chile, the resulting 50-50 mixture drink is known as Jote. This very Chilean drink consists of red wine and a cola-based soft drink.

Mistela

An ancient drink was prepared by soaking fruits in aguardiente brandy. Mistela can be added with either orange peel, clove, quince, chopped celery, cinnamon sticks, cherries, strawberries, raspberries or murta. There were different secrets to prepare more or less heady mistelas, however, it had always to be served at mid-afternoon, under the grapevine and in delicate cups.

Piscola

Pisco brandy and cola soft drink served in a tall glass with two slices of lemon. This is a national drink regardless of social class; it is drunk from North to South.

Pisco Sour

Pisco sour is a popular Chilean cocktail. The forever-going discussion about Pisco being Chilean or Peruvian doesn’t matter when the time comes to enjoy this aperitif made with lemons from Pica, sugar and Pisco brandy.

Vaina

Vaina is a sweet cocktail drink. It is made with red wine, white vermouth, raw egg yolk and sprinkled with powder cinnamon. Vainas, the classy older gentleman's aperitif of choice, are typically offered before or after a long, luxurious meal in finer establishments, poured into tiny cocktail glasses or champagne flutes.

Leche con Plátano 

Leche con Plátano, literally translated as “banana milkshake”, is the fresh milk blended with banana and ice.

Melon con Vino

Another summertime staple, Melón con Vino is just what it says, melon with wine. Melon Tuna (a type of Melon) with the top cut off and the seeds taken out with white wine filled inside of it. Stick in a straw, and pass around. 

Fan-schop

The mixture, called fan-schop is popular among those who want to partake, but not too much. This may not qualify as a drink per say, but it is a mixer of a sort. In Chile, you will see the locals drinking what looks like orange beer, it's Fan-schop. Fan-schop is traditionally made of tap beer mixed with orange Fanta or Orange Crush soft drink. It is a nice orangey drink for a hot day and for a refreshing alternative on the hot summer day. The Chilean love and down liters of it. Try one with your lomito at Fuente Alemana.

Ponche

New Year’s Eve kicks off the summer, and for the rest of the warm months, it will be easy to find Ponche. Ponche is a combination of white wine and fresh diced peaches. To get the best flavor, let the mixture of the peaches and wine sit for 12 hours. Serve cold.  

Ponche a la Romana

The best way to ring in the New Year, Chilean style, is with a brimming glass of Ponche a la Romana - Champagne with a scoop of pineapple ice cream. It’s sweet, delicious, and one of the many colorful New Year’s traditions in Chile, so you’ll be in good company as you toast the new year and rue the next morning.

Pipeño  

Pipeño is a type of sweet fermented wine (semi-transparent in appearance).

Terremoto

Terremoto, or "Earthquake", is a typical drink that consists in a mix of Pipeño with pineapple ice-cream served immediately in a one-litre glass with a straw. This Chilean mixed drink is ubiquitous during Independence Day celebrations on September 18 and 19, but it’s possible to enjoy a pitcher year-round at the Santiago institution, La Piojera.

Mote con Huesillo

Mote con Huesillo is a delicous summertime drink made of wheat seeds and dried peaches boiled, sweetened, and served cold. It's typically sold on sidewalk or park stands.

Navegado 

Navegado is a heated red wine with slices of orange and sugar. Nothing beats the winter cold like a steaming mug of Navegado, a delicious mulled wine served throughout Chile’s southern regions as the temperatures begin to drop.

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