Ingredients
Drink
- 2 bottlescold lager, Colombian if you can
- 1 litreColombiana, the caramel cream soda
- or 1 litre Kola Román, on the coast
Optional
- 100 mlaguardiente, for a stronger jug
- juice of 1 lime
Also
- plenty of ice, optional
To serve
- in a jug, with tumblers
Directions
- Chill the beer and the soda thoroughly. Everything must be genuinely cold, because a lukewarm refajo is flat and cloying.
- Use a plain lager rather than anything hoppy or dark. Tilt the jug and pour the beer slowly down the side to keep the head down.
- Add the cold Colombiana slowly.
- Stir once, very gently, with a long spoon.
- Add a squeeze of lime if you like, which cuts the sweetness and is common.
- Serve immediately in tumblers, with or without ice.
- Make it fresh rather than in advance, because it goes flat within twenty minutes. Bottled ready-mixed refajo is sold in Colombian supermarkets, which tells you how established it is.
Technique
- Colombiana is sold in Latin shops abroad and there is no real substitute.
- Kola Román is the coastal alternative and gives a redder, sweeter drink.
- It is served alongside almost any Colombian grilled or fried food.
Substitutions
- Any caramel-coloured cream soda, which is close in character.
- Kola Román or a red cream soda for the coastal version.
Variations
- With aguardiente, as a stronger party drink.
- Made with Kola Román, which is the coastal version.
- With more beer, for a drier jug.
History
A mixed drink combining Colombian beer with a carbonated soda, most traditionally the red-coloured Colombiana soft drink, documented across Colombia as a popular and widely enjoyed beverage, particularly associated with casual social gatherings, sporting events and outdoor celebrations. Its simple combination of beer and soda reflects a broader Latin American tradition of stretching and modifying beer with other beverages to create lighter, more refreshing drinks well suited to warm climates and long, casual social occasions. Refajo remains a popular drink across Colombia, especially closely associated with watching football matches and other lively communal gatherings.
Frequently asked questions
What is Refajo?
Refajo is a cocktail from Colombia: beer mixed with Colombiana cream soda, cookout staple. A mixed drink combining Colombian beer with a carbonated soda, most traditionally the red-coloured Colombiana soft drink, documented across Colombia as a popular and widely enjoyed beverage, particularly associated with casual social gatherings, sporting events and outdoor celebrations. Its simple combination of beer and soda reflects a broader Latin American tradition of stretching and modifying beer with other beverages to create lighter, more refreshing drinks well suited to warm climates and long, casual social occasions. Refajo remains a popular drink across Colombia, especially closely associated with watching football matches and other lively communal gatherings.
How long does Refajo take to make?
Refajo takes 3 min of preparation and no cooking at all. The recipe makes 1 jug. It is rated easy to make.
What can I substitute in Refajo?
Yes, within limits. Any caramel-coloured cream soda, which is close in character. Kola Román or a red cream soda for the coastal version.
What is the most important thing to get right in Refajo?
Chill the beer and the soda thoroughly. Everything must be genuinely cold, because a lukewarm refajo is flat and cloying.
