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
Lager cut with Colombiana, the caramel-coloured soda of Postobon, a Medellin company founded in 1904; the standard drink of family parties.
Frequently asked questions
What is Refajo?
Refajo is a cocktail from Colombia: beer mixed with Colombiana cream soda, cookout staple. Lager cut with Colombiana, the caramel-coloured soda of Postobon, a Medellin company founded in 1904; the standard drink of family parties.
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.
