The Chuflay is the national cocktail of Bolivia and one of the country’s most refreshing and iconic drinks. Made with Singani, fresh lime juice, and ginger ale, this light and aromatic cocktail is deeply rooted in Bolivian culture.
If you travel to Bolivia, tasting a Chuflay is a must-do experience.
“Chuflay” refers to a Bolivian drink. The name has been used ever since the day an English train driver of the Bolivia Railway Co., who used to enjoy his whisky or gin with ginger ale in the dining car, realized that his bottles had been forgotten. Concerned, the waiter offered him a “Llallagua” instead. The name of this singani-based drink with soda, ice and lemon stems from a tin mine, whereas singani is a typical Bolivian muscatel brandy. Not being familiar with this beverage, the train driver rejected it for fear of a hangover until his craving got the better of him. The next day, not having experienced any hangover symptoms, he commented “sure fly” when ordering his “Llallagua”. CHUFLAY is how the waiter, who spoke no English, ended up pronouncing it.
What is Singani?
Singani is Bolivia’s national spirit, distilled from Muscat of Alexandria grapes grown in high-altitude Andean valleys (above 1,600 meters). Known for its floral aroma and clean finish, Singani is a unique grape brandy protected by Bolivian designation of origin.
Unlike many other spirits, Singani is distilled only once, preserving its delicate and aromatic character.
Traditional Chuflay Recipe
Ingredients:
– 50 ml Singani
– 150 ml Ginger Ale (Salvietti Ginger Ale Ross!)
– Juice of ½ fresh lime
– Ice cubes
– Lime slice for garnish
Preparation:
– Fill a tall glass with ice.
– Add the Singani.
– Pour in fresh lime juice.
– Top with ginger ale.
– Stir gently and garnish with lime.
The result is a refreshing, citrusy and aromatic cocktail.
Where Can You Drink a Chuflay? You can find Chuflay in:
Bars and restaurants throughout Bolivia. Cultural festivals and celebrations. Select Latin American cocktail bars in Europe and the United States. Anywhere Singani is imported and available
Still, the most authentic Chuflay experience is in Bolivia itself — especially in historic cities like Sucre.
