Costa Rica's Tropical Libations
Costa Rica's tropical fruits offer a tantalizing cornucopia of lip-smacking smoothies, juices and cocktails. From the familiar tastes of pineapple, mango and lime, to the more exotic star fruit, cas and coconut, you’ll never run short of fresh flavors to enhance your beverages.
read more closeA common addition to many Costa Rican cocktails is the local firewater, known as guaro. It is made of neutral spirits distilled from pure sugar cane molasses and can be likened to a very strong vodka. Its high alcohol content and low price make it an all-time favorite among locals. Guaro is usually served as shots or mixed in cocktails such as the classic Guaro Sour. Beware the guaro hangover; this liquor has a reputation for sneaking up on you – so always drink in moderation.
Another popular spirit for livening up your social occasions is rum produced by Ron Centenario or Flor de Cana, (the latter made in Nicaragua). Both are good bets when it comes to flavor and quality. Like many in Costa Rica, we have an herb garden that is brimming with fresh mint. What tastes better on a sultry afternoon than a refreshing mojito made with muddled mint and a splash of rum? So whet your whistles with our favorite selection of thirst quenchers using exotic ingredients mixed the pura vida way.
Guaro Sour
2 ounces guaro
2 ounces simple syrup or 2 teaspoons sugar
5 to 6 lime wedges
Ice cubes
Put guaro, simple syrup and lime wedges in a glass. Muddle all the ingredients until you get lime juice. Add ice cubes.
Blue Morpho
2 ounces guaro
1 ounce blue curacao
Lemon-lime soda
Ice cubes
Combine guaro, blue curacao and your favorite lemon-lime soda, stir over ice and enjoy.
Fresh Mint Mojito
1 lime, sliced into wedges
10 fresh mint leaves
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 ounces light rum
1 ½ cup club soda
Ice cubes
Place mint leaves and two lime wedges into a glass. Use a muddler to crush the mint and lime. Add 2 more lime wedges and the sugar, and muddle again. Do not strain. Fill the glass with ice. Pour rum over the ice, and fill the glass with club soda. Stir and add more sugar if desired.
Pineapple & Coconut Daiquiri
3 slices of whole, fresh pineapple, cubed
1 cup coconut milk
2 tablespoons fresh grated coconut
2 ounces light rum
1 cup ice cubes
Add all ingredients to a blender and mix on medium speed until smooth, enjoy!
Star Fruit Sparkler
3 ripe star fruits, cleaned
1 sprig of fresh mint
¼ cup sugar
½ cup light rum
1 cup club soda
Ice cubes
Mix star fruit, mint, sugar and rum in a blender until smooth. In a glass, combine mixture with club soda and add a few ice cubes.