11 Best Panamanian Drinks

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If you’ve got quite the sweet tooth, you’ll never find nicer beverages to guzzle down than a traditional Panamanian drink.

11 Best Panamanian Drinks

There are two things that Panama is rich in, and those are fruits and sugar cane. 

The result? A super sweet and fruity drink that’s to die for. And usually alcoholic. 

So, let’s take a look at some of the best beverage recipes that Panama has to offer! 

The Best 11 Panamanian Delicious Drink Recipes 

1. Panamanian Rum Punch  

If you’re in the mood to party, you won’t find a better option than a Panamanian Rum Punch. It is arguably one of the most popular alcoholic drinks in Panama.

And it’s not hard to see why. 

It’s a little bit sour, a little bit sweet, and a lot a bit strong.

Be warned, if you want to remember your antics for the night, you might want to take it easy on this powerful punch. 

Its sweet taste is incredibly deceptive, easy to guzzle, and will leave you with a pounding headache in the morning if you overindulge. 

2. Coco Heaven  

Coco Heaven is a strong Panamanian cocktail that tastes a little bit like a pina colada. Only it tends to be a little more refined, fruity, and sweet. 

This cocktail is perfect for those hot summer days since it is cool, refreshing, and downright delicious. 

Unlike a Pina Colada, Coco Heaven uses watermelon instead of pineapple, but it still has that creamy rum goodness that we’ve come to know and love.

Again, guzzle with caution or deal with the consequences tomorrow morning…has anyone got an aspirin? 

3. Chicha 

This homemade beverage can be fermented or unfermented, so if you’re steering clear of the booze, just opt for the non-fermented process (as featured in this recipe) and you’ll be good to go. 

Now, this beverage might sound a little unappetizing to those who’ve never had it before.

It’s basically a blend of mushy rice, sweetened condensed milk, and pineapple. But you know how the saying goes – don’t knock it ‘till you’ve tried it. 

Chicha is actually a fruity punch that tastes amazing. So be sure to give it a try, trust me, it’s worth it. 

4. Chicheme 

Chicheme is a super-sugary drink that is pretty famous in places such as Panama and Costa Rica. It’s a non-alcoholic beverage that is made with corn, milk, and a variety of spices. 

It can be served either hot or cold and has an almost porridge-like texture.

With aromatic spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg, it’s the perfect option for those colder winter mornings. 

5. Seco Sour Cocktail

Seco Herrerano is a sugar cane alcoholic drink that is very popular in Panama.

It has around a 35% alcohol volume and is usually used as a substitute for liquors such as whisky and vodka. 

And the Seco Sour cocktail is one of the most scrumptious uses for Seco Herrerano.

As the name suggests, this cocktail has a potent sour kick but it is nicely balanced with the sweetness of the Seco. 

To create this delightful drink, you’ll combine water, fresh limes or lemons, sugar, and Seco Herrerano together. 

6. Guarapo

Now, I must admit that this probably isn’t the best beverage for those looking to cut down the sugar, but if you’re looking for a delightful drink that is super refreshing and sweet, this has your name all over it. 

To create Guarapo, you’ll basically mix sugar and water together. Usually, there will be a squeeze of lemon thrown into the mix too. 

This works perfectly well as a non-alcoholic beverage, but you can always add a splash of liquor to the mix too should you wish. 

7. Batidos 

This delicious beverage is essentially a Panamanian smoothie.

Or perhaps it could be better described as a fruity milkshake since you’ll mix your seasonal fruit with powdered milk instead of water. 

Either way, the result is a mouth-watering burst of fruity flavor that is absolutely to die for. And the beauty of this recipe is that you can make substitutions to suit you.

Batidos work well with basically any meaty fruit. 

For this recipe, you’ll be using papaya, but feel free to try other fruits such as peaches or cantaloupes! Yum. 

8. Geisha Coffee

Calling all coffee enthusiasts, this one is for you.

If you need that buzz of caffeine in the mornings to wake you up to the world, then you need to try Panamanian Geisha Coffee.

It’s won numerous awards such as the Best of Panama competition, and this complex coffee variety can fetch a hefty price at auctions too. 

All you have to do is get your hands on those brilliant beans, add some water to the mix, and voila.

I mean, it’s not quite that simple, but with only a 6-minute preparation time, you can be assured that you’ll have that caffeine fix in no time. 

9. La Chica De Moscu 

This cocktail combines the bittersweet flavor of almonds with the sweetness and tartness of pineapple to create the perfect drink.

Now, to do it properly, you’ll need a blowtorch which sure is a little extra splash of the cash, but you’ll definitely be thankful once you can make this drink over and over again. 

Disaronno, vodka, and pineapple juice will be your core ingredients in this delightful cocktail, and then you’ll spice things up with some cinnamon, lime, and agave.

It’s definitely not one to miss. 

10. Tequila Hot Mojito 

We’re ramping up the heat for this super spicy twist on a Cuban classic cocktail. Drinkers beware, for this one has quite the lethal bite. 

You’ll be ditching the rum for this cocktail and instead letting tequila take the reigns, famous last words, am I right?

Then you’ll sprinkle in some sweetness thanks to the passionfruit and add a whole lot of hot thanks to the Tabasco sauce. 

You might want to take it easy with these bad boys…

11. Chombolin

This complex cocktail is bursting at the seams with all things Panama-flavor.

You’ll get plenty of fruity notes from ingredients such as hibiscus, lime, and grapefruit, but you’ll also experience a real kick from the Seco Herrerano that has been infused with aji chombo. 

What is Aji Chombo? It’s a rare and red hot chili pepper (!!) 

While finding aji chombo-infused Seco Herrerano might be quite difficult if you live far from Panama, it can easily be replicated.

Simply soak Seco Herrerano in any hot but sweet chili pepper for around a week and voila! 

Final Thoughts 

As you can see, there is no end to delicious Panamanian drinks out there to try.

And if you are partial to a sweet tooth, you won’t find anything better suited to you. 

Whether you are looking to start a wild night of partying and cocktails, you are looking for a caffeine-heavy Monday morning fix, or you are looking for something non-alcoholic light, and refreshing, there’s an option on this list for you. 

And if you think that any of the alcoholic drinks sound delicious but you prefer to steer clear of liquor, you can always omit it for the perfect and most moreish mocktail you’ll have ever had the privilege of trying!