You've decided to explore the world of Singani, or at least see what it's all about before making any commitments. Within the same family tree as Pisco, Singani is a Bolivian brandy. And like Champagne laws, it's only Singani if it comes from the high valleys of Bolivia. With that small taste, leave your passport in the drawer as we dive into this South American spirit.
What Is Rujero Singani?
A brandy that's a result of Muscat grape distillation, you can loosely translate Singani as "the place where sedges grow." If you're not familiar with sedges, they're a plant you'd find in the Andes. You can trace Singagni's roots all the way back to the mid-16th century, thanks to an introduction by Spanish immigrants. As for what Singani tastes like, the Muscat grapes develop a thick skin when grown at the high altitudes, giving it a unique flavor of dried fruit with sweet and spicy flavors weaving in between floral notes.
So what's the difference between Pisco and Singani? You can find several different types of grapes in Pisco, but only Muscat of Alexandria grapes are permitted in Singani.
How Do You Drink Singani?
You can enjoy Singani in cocktails, on the rocks, or as a substitute for other ingredients to create riffs. Instead of gin in your bramble, you can use Singani. Your vesper? Singani. Your dark and stormy? Singani. Spicy margarita? Singani. It's a gorgeously versatile spirit. There's a wide world of Singani cocktails just outside your door.
Chuflay
A simple combination of Singani and fizzy bubbles, some attribute that birth of this drink to railroad engineers working on tracks in the Andes back in the 1800s.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Singani
- Ice
- Lemon-lime soda or ginger ale to top off
- Lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball or rocks glass, add ice and Singani.
- Top off with lemon-lime soda.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
Yungueño
Sip your way to a healthy immune system while dodging your usual tequila sunrise with a sweet Singani and orange juice cocktail.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Singani
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Freshly squeezed orange juice to top off
- Lime slice for garnish
Instructions
- In a rocks, highball, or wine glass, add ice, Singani, and simple syrup.
- Top off with orange juice.
- Stir briefly to mix.
- Garnish with a lime slice.
Té con Té
Directly translated to "tea with tea," you can guess where this cocktail is going. With black tea and a touch of cinnamon, you're on your way to warming up from the inside out.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces Singani
- ½ ounce cinnamon simple syrup
- Hot black tea to top off
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Warm a mug by filling it with hot water.
- After the mug is warm to touch, pour out the water.
- In the mug, add Singani and cinnamon simple syrup.
- Top off with black tea.
- Stir briefly to mix.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
Singani Paper Plane
Singani steps in for bourbon in the traditional paper plane, with a few other swaps. Another noticeable difference from the classic: this recipe doesn't follow the usual equal parts formula.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Singani
- ¾ ounce Aperol
- ¾ ounce sweet vermouth
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- Lemon twist for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a coupe glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, Singani, Aperol, sweet vermouth, and lemon juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with a lemon twist.
Singani and Soda
Keep it simple and let the Singani mingle with bubbles to explode with flavor sip after sip.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Singani
- Ice
- Club soda to top off
- Lemon wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball glass, add ice and Singani.
- Top off with club soda.
- Stir briefly to mix.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Singani Vesper
You can leave your vodka behind tonight, Singani will play with your gin and Lillet.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces Singani
- 1 ounce gin
- ½ ounce Lillet blanc
- Ice
- Lemon ribbon for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a coupe or martini glass.
- In a mixing glass, add ice, Singani, gin, and Lillet blanc.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with lemon ribbon.
Singani Moscow Mule
Sorry vodka, this just isn't your cocktail with Singani in the house.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces Singani
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Ginger beer to top off
- Lemon wheel and rosemary sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a copper mug or rocks glass, add ice, Singani, and lime juice.
- Top off with ginger beer.
- Stir briefly to mix.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel and rosemary sprig.
Singani Daiquiri
Give your rum a run with the floral notes of Singani in a twist on the daiquiri.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Singani
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce demerara simple syrup
- Ice
- Lime slice for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini or coupe glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, Singani, lime juice, and demerara simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with lime slice.
Try a Sip of Something New
Cocktails are meant to inspire and transport, and what better way to live up to the spirit of spirits than by trying something new to you? Snag a bottle from the store and prepare your tastebuds for an adventure.
