Article Summary: Aguardiente is a clear spirit made from sugarcane juice, and it’s especially popular in South American countries like Colombia, where it’s commonly consumed during celebrations. Thanks to its anise flavoring, Aguardiente is most similar to ouzo (Greece), raki (Turkey), pastis (France), and sambuca (Italy).
We love aguardiente, but we also recognize an important truth: Not everyone knows what it is.
In fact, when we launch Bacan Guaro into new regions of the United States, we often work to educate locals on what it is and what makes it so special.
To illustrate, check out this video we made on the sidewalks of Miami, when we asked random passersby how to pronounce “aguardiente.”
If aguardiente is a new concept for you, that’s OK! Here’s what you should know:
Table of Contents
What Type of Alcohol Is Aguardiente?
Which Spirits Is Aguardiente Most Like?
Aguardiente Vs. Tequila and Rum
Is Aguardiente Similar to Tequila?
Is Aguardiente Similar to Rum?
Try Aguardiente For Yourself
What Type of Alcohol Is Aguardiente?
Aguardiente is a clear spirit commonly made from sugarcane juice, though other varieties exist. It’s closely tied to Colombian culture, but other South American countries have developed a taste for it as well.
It’s become a popular Colombian drink, and some even call it the national alcoholic drink of Colombia.
Which Spirits Is Aguardiente Most Like?
We’re hard at work spreading our version of aguardiente across the United States (see our locations), but you’ll find similar drinks around the world.
Aguardiente is most similar to:
1. Ouzo (Greece) – Under European Union law, true ouzo can only be made in Greece or Cyprus. Ouzo is an anise-flavored aperitif intended to be sipped slowly—not taken as a shot.
Meant for social settings, ouzo is commonly served with shareable plates of regional cuisine, like olives, feta cheese, and seafood.
2. Raki (Turkey) – Like aguardiente, raki is a social drink, one that’s used during celebrations, holidays, and similar gatherings. And, like aguardiente, raki is closely tied to Turkey’s national identity (much like aguardiente is tied to Colombian culture).
However, raki is commonly made from grapes or raisins instead of sugarcane, and it’s then mixed with aniseed. The resulting product is commonly 40%–50% ABV.
3. Pastis (France) – When France outlawed absinthe in 1915, local citizens searched for a legal alternative, and they created pastis.
This strong drink frequently hits 40%–45% ABV, and the French often mix it with cold water. It’s commonly flavored with star anise, green anise, licorice root, fennel, and regional herbs, which gives it a flavor profile similar to traditional aguardiente.
4. Sambuca (Italy) – Italian sambuca is derived from sugarcane juice and flavored with essential oils from anise, resulting in another product that’s very similar to aguardiente.
Sambuca is commonly 38%–42% ABV, which makes it comparable to many traditional aguardientes.
Aguardiente Vs. Tequila and Rum
Because aguardiente, tequila, and rum are all popularly associated with Central and South America, many expect aguardiente to be similar to tequila or rum.
But that’s really not the case, as we explain below:
Is Aguardiente Similar to Tequila?
No. Although aguardiente and tequila are both popular clear spirits stemming from Central and South America, they contain a few critical differences.
Two of the biggest factors:
- Base Ingredient – Traditional aguardiente is traditionally made from sugarcane, while tequila comes from blue agave.
- Flavor – Aguardiente is typically flavored with anise or aniseed, giving it a distinctive licorice flavor. You can find tequila in a variety of flavors and cocktails, though it’s often taken as a shot (like lower-end aguardiente), then chased with a slice of lime. Note: We do recommend exploring our cocktail recipes for the full aguardiente experience.
Is Aguardiente Similar to Rum?
No, aguardiente is not similar to rum—though they both stem from sugarcane. As with tequila, rum features two major differences:
- Base Ingredient – Rum is made from molasses—the dark syrup that remains after processing sugarcane. Aguardiente is, of course, made from sugarcane and its juice.
- Flavor – Rum is generally much sweeter, and many people note hints of caramel or butterscotch (though other flavors may be present, especially if the batch was aged in a barrel.
Try Aguardiente For Yourself
The best way to understand aguardiente is to try it for yourself.
Order your first taste of Bacan Guaro by picking from Bacan 24, which offers a smooth, slightly sweet finish, or Bacan 29, which contains hints of pepper and floral notes.
Be sure to check our map to find the location closest to you offering Bacan Guaro.
