tHE BEST BOLIVIAN DRINKS
August 2024
When traveling, trying new foods in different parts of the world is always a highlight.
But something just as fun is tasting the different traditional drinks a country has to offer. Today, we’re going to talk about some cool drinks in Bolivia (without alcohol).
Yes, these can actually be super fun too!
In Bolivia, just like in many other countries, the best drinks are often found on the streets, homemade with old traditional recipes that have been passed down through generations.
These recipes are well guarded, and if you ask for them, you might get some of the ingredients, but what makes these recipes truly special, the secret touches and techniques, you will never fully discover.
So, let’s explore some of these unique drinks here in Bolivia!
safety tips to enjoy bolivian drinks
Here are three traditional drinks sold on the streets of La Paz, all worth trying:
Atraditional aPi
A warm, thick drink made from purple or white corn, with flavors of cinnamon, cloves, and sugar. It's perfect for cold mornings!
mocochinchi
A refreshing cold drink made from dried peaches boiled with cinnamon and sugar. It’s served with the rehydrated peach at the bottom of the glass.
SULTANA
A tea made from the dried husks of coffee cherries. It has a slightly sweet and fruity flavor with a hint of coffee and can be enjoyed warm or cold
A Street Drink for the Brave (or Crazy) Ones
One day in La Paz, during COVID, I was out with a friend making some content.
We couldn’t agree on something, and the winner got to decide what the loser would eat or drink from the street.
Somehow, I lost. My friend slowly walked the streets of La Paz, checking each little shop and vendor, thinking about what would be the worst thing for me to try.
Then it happened. A family was walking in the center of La Paz with two donkeys. My friend saw this, and I knew I was in trouble.
The family started milking the donkeys right there and selling the milk. Apparently, it was supposed to be really good for preventing lung problems from COVID.
The line was long, and we waited until it was our turn. We got two plastic cups of warm donkey milk.
I kindly asked to skip the challenge, but at least my friend offered to drink the second cup. I’ll be honest, I never finished mine, it was too much.
But my friend did, and even though it wasn’t my favorite, neither of us had lung problems from COVID. So, maybe it worked!
Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter to get weekly news and La Paz inspiration, as well as some cool drink tips and discount codes to try them.
