There’s far more to Chilean drinks culture than the iconic pisco sour. Across the country, you’ll find beverages that reveal just as much about its traditions, landscapes, and daily life as any classic dish. Some drinks are rooted in the cozy routines that shape Chilean comfort foods, while others appear in the lively nightlife scenes of cities like Santiago and Valparaíso.

A few of these beverages have long histories tied to rural communities, while others feel perfectly at home in modern bars and wineries. They show up at celebrations, family gatherings, and casual afternoons spent enjoying a sweet treat or a savory snack, often sparking conversation, connection, nostalgia, comfort, and shared moments.

Here are five must-try Chilean drinks that go far beyond the expected.

1. Mote con Huesillo – Chile’s Favorite Summer Drink

This is Chile’s most iconic non-alcoholic drink, especially during the summer months. It’s a sweet, syrupy blend of peach juice, dried peaches (huesillos), and husked wheat (mote). Served ice-cold, it’s refreshing, filling, and unlike anything you’ve tried before.

Where to try: You can buy it from street vendors in Santiago’s parks, especially around Cerro San Cristóbal, or at summer festivals.

2. Vino Navegado – Chilean Mulled Wine

Think of vino navegado as Chile’s answer to mulled wine. Made with red wine, oranges, cloves, cinnamon, and sugar, it’s warm, cozy, and perfect for chilly evenings.

Where to try: Mountain towns, southern cities, or during winter festivals. It’s also easy to find at traditional restaurants during colder months.

3. Terremoto – The “Earthquake” Cocktail

Don’t let the sweet taste fool you. This drink packs a punch! Terremoto (which means “earthquake”) is made with pipeño wine (a sweet fermented wine), pineapple ice cream, and grenadine. It’s famously strong and often leads to wobbly legs, hence the name.

Where to try: Bar La Piojera in Santiago is the most famous spot for this local favorite, though many traditional bars serve it.

4. Chilean Craft Beers – A Growing Trend

Chile’s craft beer scene has exploded in recent years, especially in the south. From smooth lagers to bold IPAs and rich stouts, you’ll find a wide variety of locally brewed beers.

Where to try: Southern cities like Valdivia, Puerto Varas, and Temuco are craft beer hotspots. Look for breweries like Kunstmann, Szot, and Tübinger.

5. Carménère Wine – Chile’s Signature Grape

While technically not a “drink” you grab at a bar, you can’t leave Chile without tasting Carménère, the country’s flagship red wine. Smooth, rich, and full of dark fruit flavors, it’s often paired with traditional Chilean dishes.

Where to try: Any wine shop or restaurant, or straight from the vineyard if you’re exploring wine country.

Come Cook With Us!

Cook with us!

Falling in love with Chile’s drinks is easy and often happens faster than expected. From bold red wines shaped by diverse valleys to refreshing pisco sours and comforting herbal infusions like mate, each sip offers a deeper taste of the country’s identity, history, climate, and traditions. Drinks are more than an accompaniment; they are part of the rhythm of everyday life, shared slowly at the table, during celebrations, quiet afternoons, long conversations, and meaningful moments, woven naturally into Chilean culture.

Cook in Chile offers a culinary experience where food and drink come together authentically and without pretension. You will discover how locals thoughtfully pair meals with regional beverages, understand why certain flavors work so well together, and pick up practical tips to recreate that harmony at home. It is a relaxed, flavorful, and immersive way to deepen your connection to Chilean cuisine, lifestyle, and way of gathering around food.

Cook, sip, and discover the flavors of Chile!