The Best Drinks in Cartagena: From Limonada de Coco to Aguardiente
Cartagena’s drinks are inseparable from its identity — rooted in African, Indigenous, and Spanish traditions, shaped by tropical ingredients and centuries of trade. Every sip tells a story.
Limonada de Coco
Cartagena's Gift to the World
Cartagena’s famous lime-and-coconut drink blends fresh lime juice, condensed milk, coconut cream, and crushed ice into a frothy, slushy refreshment. Born on Colombia’s Caribbean coast and now loved nationwide, it balances tartness, creaminess, and sweetness perfectly. More than a drink, it transforms tropical heat into something indulgent, memorable, and worth ordering twice.
Jugo de Corozo
The Icon of Cartagena
Corozo juice, made from a small, tart palm fruit native to Colombia’s Caribbean coast, is one of Cartagena’s most beloved street drinks. Bright magenta, naturally sweet-sour, and served ice-cold, it is ideal for humid heat. Vendors prepare it fresh by blending corozo fruit with water and panela, creating a refreshing local favorite.
Agua de Panela
Colombia's National Comfort Drink
Costeñita is a light, crisp lager brewed by Bavaria and a cultural symbol of Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Popular among costeños at beaches, gatherings, and corner stores, it is mild, low in alcohol, and highly refreshing in tropical heat. Served ice-cold from the bottle, it is often enjoyed with fried fish, patacones, or posta negra cartagenera.
Costeñita
The Beer of the Caribbean Coast
Costeñita is a light, crisp lager brewed by Bavaria and a cultural symbol of Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Popular among costeños at beaches, gatherings, and corner stores, it is mild, low in alcohol, and highly refreshing in tropical heat. Served ice-cold from the bottle, it is often enjoyed with fried fish, patacones, or posta negra cartagenera.
Salpicón
Colombia's Original Fruit Punch
Salpicón is Colombia’s fruit punch: a cold, sweet mix of watermelon juice, diced tropical fruits, soda, and crushed ice. In Cartagena, it is a popular street drink sold in clear cups around the Old City. Part beverage and part dessert, it is fizzy, fruity, refreshing, and perfect for making Caribbean heat more enjoyable.
Peto
Ancient Coastal Tradition
Peto is a thick, warm Colombian corn drink with pre-Columbian roots, made by simmering dried white corn with milk, sugar, and cinnamon until creamy. Nourishing and tied to local identity, it is sold early in the morning by street vendors from large clay pots. Drinking it feels like tasting Cartagena’s living history.
Kola Roman
Cartagena's Own Soda Since 1865
Kola Román is Cartagena’s iconic red soda, created in 1865 by the Román family and considered one of Latin America’s oldest soft drink brands. With its sweet, fruity flavor, it is central to local gastronomy and pride. Enjoyed alone, over ice, or in salpicón, it offers visitors a uniquely Cartagena taste.
Tropical Fruit Juices
Lulo · Tamarindo · Maracuyá · Guanábana · Tomate de Árbol
Cartagena’s markets offer fresh tropical juices made from fruits unfamiliar to many visitors, including tamarind, passion fruit, soursop, and tree tomato. Prepared to order, they range from tart and floral to creamy or savory-sweet. Mercado de Bazurto is the best place to try them, offering a chaotic, vibrant, and authentic local experience.
Aguardiente
Colombia's National Spirit
Aguardiente, Colombia’s emblematic sugarcane spirit flavored with anise, has a strong herbal, licorice-like taste. While brands vary by region, Cartagena favors lighter, sweeter versions suited to festive nightlife. Served in small shots and usually called guaro, it is shared at celebrations, festivals, and salsa nights, often as a warm gesture of welcome.
