Refajo Carabina: Colombian Guarapo & Cola Cocktail
Refajo Carabina is a rustic, deeply traditional, and incredibly potent variation of the classic Colombian refajo. Highly popular in the Santander region, this specific drink swaps out the standard commercial beer for guarapo (a traditional, naturally fermented sugarcane juice), mixing it with sweet local cola to create an unforgettable beverage that is culturally mandated to be served in a totuma!
The secret to this rapid 5-minute recipe is simply ensuring both ingredients are ice-cold before mixing. The natural, funky fermentation of the guarapo beautifully cuts through the high sugar content of the cola, resulting in a refreshing and surprisingly strong cocktail.
Refajo Carabina (Guarapo & Cola Cocktail)
A rustic, potent variation of the traditional refajo! Fermented sugarcane juice (guarapo) mixed with sweet Colombian cola and served in a traditional calabash bowl.
Ingredients
- 3 cups Guarapo Traditional fermented sugarcane juice, ice-cold
- 1 bottle Cola soda Ideally Cola Hipinto, Colombiana, or Kola Román, ice-cold
Instructions
- The mix: The preparation is flawlessly simple. In a large pitcher or container (preferably a large, traditional totuma), carefully pour in the cold guarapo and the cold cola soda.
- Serve: Give it a gentle mix to integrate the liquids without losing the carbonation, and proceed to serve immediately.
Notes
- The Totuma Tradition: A totuma is a traditional, artisanal bowl made from the hollowed-out and dried shell of the calabash tree fruit. Serving the Carabina in a totuma is considered an absolutely essential part of the authentic cultural experience!
- Custom Proportions: Just like the standard beer refajo, the exact ratio of the drinks is completely up to the personal taste of the guests. Some people prefer a perfect 50/50 mix, while others opt for a 60/40 ratio depending on how strong the guarapo is.
- The BBQ King: Along with the Submarino variation, the Carabina is an incredibly popular choice for accompanying asados (BBQs) and heavy meals with friends.
- Iconic Sodas: Once again, Cola Hipinto, Colombiana, and Kola Román are the undisputed kings of Colombian sodas for this mix. If you do not have access to them, you can substitute with another brand of cola, but it will change the authentic flavor profile.
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Refajo Colombiano: Traditional Colombian Beer and Soda Cocktail
Aloja huilense: Traditional Colombian Fermented Corn Beverage
Vino de Corozo: Artisanal Colombian Corozo Wine
Refajo Submarino: Colombian Spiked Beer & Cola Cocktail