Cola de Mono is a traditional Chilean holiday drink that you can make anywhere you live. In Chile, they use a very strong aguardiente liquor that packs a punch, but you can make a version of this tasty drink with any neutral flavored alcohol, or a virgin cocktail by simply leaving out the alcohol all together. A cola de mono is super tasty, and in many ways reminds me of a lighter variation of a white Russian cocktail.
Ingredients for a Cola de Mono Recipe
This version makes 3-5 small (1/2 cup) portions
1/4 cup granulated SUGAR
1/4 cup WATER
.5 oz CINNAMON STICKS
3 tablespoons INSTANT COFFEE, medium to dark roast
2 cups WHOLE MILK
1 teaspoon VANILLA EXTRACT
1/2 cup CHILEAN AGUARDIENTE …but definitely adjust according to taste. Alternatives: Chilean pisco, white rum, brandy, or vodka. Chilean pisco is exported, Chilean aguardiente is not.
Other Traditional Spices….that we left out
5 whole cloves
1/8 teaspoon finely ground nutmeg
orange peel (e.g. 1″ wide by 2″ long)
How to make a Cola de Mono
- Combine the water, sugar and cinnamon stick in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in instant coffee. Instead of instant coffee, you can use finely ground espresso powder. Or you can use 1/2 cup strongly brewed coffee per teaspoon of instant coffee that has cooled. If you use brewed coffee, reduce the amount of milk you add, and add it AFTER the syrup has cooled, along with the milk, vanilla and alcohol.
- Set aside to cool to room temperature.
- Remove cinnamon stick and cloves
- Add milk, vanilla, and aguardiente or desired alcohol to taste.
- Pour the mix into a container and refrigerate until chilled, at least 4 hours, but overnight is ideal.
Serve very, very cold.
A couple ways to help keep it cold: make a 1/2 recipe without alcohol and make cola de mono ice cubes, or use coffee ice cubes instead, or place the prepared pitcher of cola de mono in the freezer for 10-30 minutes before serving.
Serve the drinks in fancy-pants glasses to be more festive, and enjoy! Salud!
Cocktails always taste better in a fancy glass, so check here for current prices on amazon for Fancy-pants Glassware for Cocktails.
And for more adult beverage ideas, check out these Fancy-pants Cocktail Recipes.
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–Chef Buck
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