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Article Summary: Some of the best Colombian drinks include aguardiente, café tinto, aguapanela, canelazo, kumis, lulada, avena colombiana, jugos naturales, champús, refajo, and chicha. We’re obviously biased, but Colombia is truly a beautiful country. With its culture and history stretching back thousands of years, it has emerged as one of South America’s most iconic countries, thanks in part to rapid growth and progressive ideals. Still, Colombia is a country rooted in tradition, and many of those traditions revolve around the colorful food and drinks native to Colombia, which has been passed down from generation to generation.  Yes, Colombia is known as a global leader in the coffee trade, but it’s also a major producer of aguardiente, and it’s known for bold drinks like café tinto and canelazo. Today, we’ll explore the most common Colombian drinks, including some that have crossed the borders into other countries and continents.  Table of Contents11 Incredible Colombian DrinksTaste the Best Aguardiente: The National Drink of ColombiaColombian Drinks Frequently Asked Questions 11 Incredible Colombian Drinks Here are a few popular Colombian drinks you should try: 1. Aguardiente Aguardiente is a rustic and traditional spirit that traces its roots back to when Spanish colonizers landed in the Americas. Commonly made from local sugarcane and flavored with anise, Colombian aguardiente has become a source of cultural pride for people throughout the Andes. And it’s become a major source of pride for us at Bacan Guaro, as we’ve worked hard to develop a super smooth, premium-quality aguardiente that’s become the most awarded aguardiente in the world.  Check it out for yourself:  Aguardiente (sometimes called “guaro”) is the most popular alcoholic drink in Colombia, where it’s often taken as a simple shot, though we can recommend some fantastic aguardiente cocktails if you’d like to add some extra flavor to your celebrations.  And it’s not just Colombians who love aguardiente. Industry leaders—including Bacan Guaro—are spreading the love for aguardiente across the United States.  Tip: If you’ve never tried aguardiente before, learn how to taste it like a connoisseur.  2. Café Tinto This Colombian take on black coffee has become part of the country’s lifestyle—which makes sense in one of the world’s largest coffee exporters. Café tinto is a strong black coffee that’s frequently served in small sizes—as small as four ounces at a time.  Locals often sweeten it with sugar or panela (unrefined cane sugar, which offers a caramel-like flavor), and it is a common feature in the social structure of Colombia, often appearing during work breaks and while welcoming guests into your home, making it a fixture in the country’s hospitality. And don’t be surprised to see Colombians make their café tinto with aguapanela, which we’ll discuss next: 3. Aguapanela Aguapanela is a sweet and versatile drink popular throughout Colombia—and much of South America.  Although it commonly starts by mixing panela in water, locals enjoy a few different variations: Thanks to the panela, aguapanela has a hint of caramel flavoring.  Though it might sound strange, those who enjoy Augapanela hot sometimes add a chunk of cheese to the mixture, and they allow it to soften as they enjoy their beverage. 4. Canelazo Canelazo is a hot alcoholic drink found in Colombia and neighboring countries. While there are a few different ways to make canelazo, it’s most commonly a combination of: Some regions may also include fruit juice. For Americans, canelazo is similar to a hot toddy, which is typically made from liquor, honey, lemon, and spices.  5. Kumis  Colombian Kumis is traditionally made at home by fermenting cow’s milk, creating a tangy, mildly sweet treat similar to drinkable yogurt.  Kumis has grown in popularity and availability, and now it’s found in grocery stores throughout the country.  While fewer and fewer people still make kumis at home, it’s still a popular option for a refreshing snack or a convenient breakfast drink.  Note: In Asian countries, kumis is traditionally made from mare’s milk.  6. Lulada The city of Cali is best known as the world capital of salsa music and dancing, but it is also the home of lulada, a popular local drink.  Lulada starts with lulo, a citrusy tropical fruit with a tart, refreshing flavor. To make a traditional lulada, one chops and beats the lulo fruit into a smooth pulp, and it’s then mixed with lime juice, sugar, and water.  Like many drinks on this list, it can also be mixed with alcohol for a more exciting beverage. 7. Avena Colombiana Avena means “oats” or “oatmeal,” so, as you might guess, avena Colombiana is an oatmeal drink. It’s made by simmering oats, water, and spices like cinnamon, then combining with milk and sugar or panela. Avena Colombiana is frequently served cold, which makes it a refreshing breakfast drink.  8. Jugos Naturales Jugos naturales translates to “natural juices,” and it encompasses a wide range of fresh fruit juices popular throughout Colombia.  These are commonly made by mixing fruit pulp with water or milk, then including ice and sugar as desired.  Jugos naturales offers an exciting and colorful array of flavors, and some of the most common include: 9. Champús Despite its name, champús has nothing to do with shampoo. Instead, it’s a thick, fruity drink especially popular in southwestern Colombia, including the city of Cali (where lulada is also popular). Recipes vary, but Colombian champús is traditionally made with corn, panela, pineapple, lulo, cinnamon, and other spices. The ingredients give it a sweet, fruity flavor and a thicker texture than your typical fruit juice. Champús is often served cold and is particularly associated with celebrations, street vendors, and traditional Colombian cuisine. If you’re visiting Cali and already planning to try a lulada, consider adding a glass of champús to your list. 10. Refajo If you love beer and aguardiente, reach for refajo. Refajo is a refreshing Colombian alcoholic drink traditionally made by combining beer with Colombiana, a popular sweet, carbonated soda with a distinctive fruity flavor. The result is a light, bubbly beverage with less of the bitterness you’d expect