Article Summary: Legally, the national drink of Colombia is coffee. But the unofficial national drink of Colombia is often reserved for Aguardiente, the sugarcane-based spirit flavored with anise. Continue reading to learn what has made each of these so important to Colombian culture.
Like many places around the world, Colombia’s national identity is closely tied to its food and drinks.
And when it comes to drinks, Colombia is fanatical about two things:
Coffee and aguardiente.
Legally, coffee is the national drink of Colombia, thanks to a law passed in 2025. But aguardiente is frequently recognized as the unofficial national drink of Colombia—though there are many other popular drinks in the country.
That’s fierce competition.
Fortunately, you don’t have to pick sides. You can enjoy both of them equally—and you can even enjoy them together in our custom cocktails. Check out our recipes for the Colombian Espresso and the Bacan Y Cafe.
Continue reading to learn more.
Table of Contents
The Official National Drink of Colombia: Coffee
The Unofficial National Drink of Colombia: Aguardiente
The Case for Aguapanela
Try Aguardiente
The Official National Drink of Colombia: Coffee
In July of 2025, Colombian lawmakers formally announced coffee as the country’s official national drink.
And it makes sense; coffee is critical to Colombia’s identity and culture. Some important facts about coffee and Colombia:
- It supports nearly 600,000 coffee-growing families throughout Colombia.
- In Colombia, it’s commonly called tinto and consumed black, though it may be mixed with sugar or panela to make café tinto.
- Colombia is the world’s largest producer of arabica coffee, selling around 13 million 60-kilogram bags per year. That’s about 1,719,601,000 pounds in total!
Interestingly, the average Colombian actually consumes less coffee than people do in the United States. While per capita consumption in the US hovers around 4.4 kilograms, Colombia only notches around 3.4 kilograms among its adult population.
Still, consumption is high; most Colombians drink coffee five or six days a week, and many enjoy 3–4 cups per day! (That’s more than the single cup most doctors recommend.)
The next time you make coffee, check the label on the packaging; there’s a good chance it’s from Colombia. Brands like Juan Valdez, Eight O’Clock Coffee, and Maxwell House frequently use Colombian beans or Colombian blends.
The Unofficial National Drink of Colombia: Aguardiente
We commonly hear aguardiente described in one of two ways:
- The unofficial national drink of Colombia.
- The unofficial national alcoholic drink of Colombia.
Either way, we agree. It certainly is popular enough!
In 2024, Colombians consumed, on average, 4.87 liters of pure alcohol per capita, and aguardiente was by far their top choice of alcohol.
That number is even higher in the Andean region, where aguardiente consumption is regularly 2.5 times higher than the rest of the country.
So, what makes aguardiente so popular? Four things have helped aguardiente become part of Colombia’s national identity:
1. History. Sugarcane exploded across Colombia during the Spanish colonial era, and aguardiente soon replaced traditional drinks like chicha. Over time, aguardiente has embedded itself in Colombian culture, as we’ll discuss momentarily.
2. Local Pride. Many Colombian “departments” (states) run their own liquor brands, tying these drinks to local identity and reinforcing local pride.
3. Social Ties. Aguardiente has become a staple at family gatherings, neighborhood celebrations, and holiday festivities, and pairing it with foods like buñuelo and natilla helps the anise flavoring pop.
4. Accessibility. Aguardiente is popular across all social classes, and it’s often a cheap, high-alcohol liquor that’s perfect for celebrations. Most aguardientes have at least 24%–29% ABV, which is quite potent.
The Case for Aguapanela
By now, we know two things:
- Coffee is the official drink of Colombia.
- Aguardiente is the alcoholic drink of Colombia.
But there’s a third drink to know: aguapanela.
“Aguapanela” (also spelled “agua de panela”) literally means “sugar water,” and it’s made by dissolving unrefined cane sugar (panela) in water to make a sweet, caramel-colored drink.
Aguapanela is a traditional beverage found throughout Colombia, and it’s often mixed with citrus (fresh lime or lemon) or spices (like cinnamon sticks or ginger).
While it was originally meant to provide a quick, hydrating energy boost for field workers, it’s become a staple in Colombian culture, and many mix it with their coffee or enjoy it like an American sweet tea.
Because of its incredible popularity, some also refer to aguapanela as a national drink of Colombia—but it’s still not held in the same regard as coffee or aguardiente.
Try Aguardiente
If you’re ready to try aguardiente, purchase Bacan 24 or Bacan 29—our two original recipes. Bacan 24 provides a slightly sweet, anise taste with a smooth finish, while Bacan 29 offers a more complex flavor featuring floral notes and a hint of pepper.
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