Article Summary: Most people know aguardiente as the fiery alcohol from Colombia, but it pairs incredibly well with mixers. Our aguardiente cocktails are handcrafted to elevate your next event!
Most people are surprised to learn that aguardiente is traditionally taken as a straight shot.
After all, aguardiente literally means “fire water,” and it “burns” going down.
Despite that, aguardiente is the national drink in Colombia—with some people chasing it with little more than a fresh slice of fruit.
Over the last few years, we’ve worked hard to shake off aguardiente’s tough reputation to create a smooth, enjoyable experience that can be comfortably sipped and savored.
The final step? Creating a high-quality cocktail experience.
Continue reading to learn more:
Table of Contents
The Problem With Aguardiente Cocktails
Aguardiente Cocktails You Need to Try
Find the Perfect Aguardiente
The Problem With Aguardiente Cocktails
Because aguardiente is normally consumed straight, only a few aguardiente cocktails have been published in the past.
Even Bartender Magazine, one of the leading mixology publications, only offers a handful of recipes, and Reddit’s Cocktails subreddit had one brief conversation five years ago, with one user claiming aguardiente makes a good vodka substitute (which isn’t something we would agree with).
Most US drinkers searching for a strong selection of high-quality, original aguardiente cocktails often compete against the drink’s relative obscurity (at least against popular alternatives like rum, tequila, and whiskey) and an industry-wide lack of innovation.
Until now.
Aguardiente Cocktails You Need to Try
We’ve developed our own collection of aguardiente cocktail recipes, and many of them are inspired by other popular Colombian drinks.
We’ve hand-picked 10 of our favorites to share right here:
1. Jaguar Mule
The Recipe: Mix 2 ounces of Bacan 24 (or a similar aguardiente), ½ ounce of kiwi syrup, 1 ounce of lime juice, and ginger beer.
Our Take: The Jaguar Mule puts a tropical twist on a familiar favorite, balancing the gentle sweetness of kiwi with bright lime and spicy ginger beer. It’s crisp, bubbly, and approachable—making it an excellent introduction to aguardiente cocktails.
2. Bacan In Capri
The Recipe: Mix 2 ounces of Bacan 29 (or a similar aguardiente), 1 ounce of coffee liqueur, 5 ounces of simple syrup, 2 ounces of soda water, ¾ ounce of lime juice, and 2 ounces of sparkling wine.
Our Take: Bacan In Capri is a sparkling, sophisticated cocktail that brings several unexpected flavors together. Rich coffee liqueur and earthy aguardiente provide a rich foundation, while lime, soda water, and sparkling wine deliver a bright, bubbly finish.
3. Lavender Drop
The Recipe: Mix 2 ounces of Bacan 24 (or a similar aguardiente), 1 ounce of lavender syrup, 1 ounce of lime juice, a lavender leaf, and purple-colored siphon foam.
Our Take: Sip away at pure elegance. In this cocktail, floral lavender softens the aguardiente’s natural intensity, while fresh lime provides enough tartness to keep the cocktail bright, balanced, and surprisingly refreshing.
4. Mi Media Naranja
The Recipe: Mix 2 ounces of Bacan 24 (or a similar aguardiente), instant coffee, juice from ½ orange slice, and salt.
Our Take: Coffee, orange, and salt may sound like an unusual combination, but each ingredient helps reveal a different side of the aguardiente. The result is rich and aromatic, with a pop of citrus and a savory finish that pulls you back for another sip.
5. Colombian Espresso
The Recipe: Mix 2 ounces of Bacan 24 (or a similar aguardiente), 1 ounce of coffee liqueur, 1 ounce of simple syrup, and 1 shot of espresso.
Our Take: Coffee and aguardiente are two of Colombia’s most popular drinks, which makes them a natural pairing. Rich espresso and coffee liqueur complement the aguardiente’s herbal complexity, creating a smooth, slightly sweet cocktail that’s equally appropriate after dinner or before a late night out.
6. Viva La Vida
The Recipe: Mix 2 ounces of Bacan 29 (or a similar aguardiente), ¾ ounce of hibiscus syrup, ¾ ounce of lemon juice, and 2 dashes of rose water.
Our Take: Hibiscus gives Viva La Vida its striking color and a pleasantly tart, berry-like flavor. Lemon juice makes it even brighter, while a touch of rose water complements the aguardiente with a delicate floral finish.
7. Spicy Guaromelon
The Recipe: Mix 2 ounces of Bacan 29 (or a similar aguardiente), ¼ ounce of jalapeño syrup, 1 ounce of lime juice, ½ ounce of simple syrup, and 1 ounce of watermelon juice. Coat the rim with Tajín before serving!
Our Take: Sweet watermelon provides the perfect counterpoint to jalapeño heat in this vibrant cocktail. Lime adds a tart finish, while the Tajín-coated rim brings everything together with a salty, citrusy kick.
8. Bacan Old Fashioned
The Recipe: Mix 2 ounces of Bacan 29 (or a similar aguardiente), ½ ounce of banana syrup, 2 dashes of Angostura bitters, and 2 dashes of orange bitters.
Our Take: Enjoy a sophisticated classic with a tropical twist. Banana syrup highlights the aguardiente’s natural sweetness, while Angostura and orange bitters contribute the complexity and warmth you expect from a classic Old Fashioned.
9. Guaro Lychee
The Recipe: Mix 2 ounces of Bacan 29 (or a similar aguardiente), 1 ounce of lime juice, 1 ounce of simple syrup, 1 ½ ounces of lychee water, 3 mint leaves, and tonic water.
Our Take: There’s nothing quite as refreshing as the delicate blend of sweet, tart, and floral that you find inside lychee—and it pairs incredibly well with mint, lime, and aguardiente. The complex combination of flavors in Guaro Lychee makes it bold enough for a pre-dinner toast and muted enough for a quiet nightcap.
10. Toronja Spritz
The Recipe: Mix 2 ounces of Bacan 29 (or a similar aguardiente), 1.5 ounces of grapefruit juice, ½ ounce of lime juice, ½ ounce of simple syrup, and top with grapefruit soda.
Our Take: Tart grapefruit and lime make the Toronja Spritz crisp, citrusy, and exceptionally refreshing. Finish with grapefruit soda for a light and bubbly cocktail that’s perfect for warm afternoons, outdoor celebrations, or any occasion that calls for something easy to sip.
Find the Perfect Aguardiente
A great aguardiente cocktail starts with great aguardiente.
Start with Bacan Guaro, the most awarded aguardiente in the world!
See where you can find us throughout the United States.
