Ingredients
The drink
- 120 mlsingani
- 240 mlfresh orange juice
- 2 teaspoonssugar, or to taste
To serve
- plenty of ice
- a slice of orange
- cinnamon, for dusting, optional
Directions
- Squeeze the oranges just before mixing. Strain out the pulp if you prefer it clear. Making the drink takes a minute.
- Put the sugar in the bottom of a shaker. Add a splash of the orange juice.
- Stir until the sugar has fully dissolved. Sugar does not dissolve in a cold finished drink.
- Pour in the rest of the juice and the singani. Fill the shaker right up with ice.
- Shake it hard for fifteen seconds. Serving it is done extremely cold.
- Fill two tall glasses with ice. Strain the drink over the ice. Dust a little cinnamon over the top if you like.
- Serve it immediately while it is cold. It tastes like a soft drink and it is not.
Technique
- Singani holds a protected denomination of origin in Bolivia and must be made from Muscat of Alexandria grapes grown in defined high-altitude zones.
- It has been distilled in Bolivia since the sixteenth century.
Substitutions
- Pisco is the nearest available substitute outside Bolivia, though it is a different spirit with a different character.
- An unaged grape brandy of any kind will make a drinkable version.
Variations
- The chuflay is the other classic singani drink, made with ginger ale and lime.
- Some households add a splash of soda water for a longer drink.
- A version made with mandarin juice is poured in some parts of the Yungas.
History
Named for the Yungas valleys and poured at parties and carnival across La Paz.
Frequently asked questions
What is Yungueño?
Yungueño is a cocktail from Bolivia: singani shaken with orange juice and sugar, served cold. Named for the Yungas valleys and poured at parties and carnival across La Paz.
How long does Yungueño take to make?
Yungueño takes 5 minutes of preparation and none of cooking. The recipe makes 2 glasses. It is rated easy to make.
What can I substitute in Yungueño?
Yes, within limits. Pisco is the nearest available substitute outside Bolivia, though it is a different spirit with a different character. An unaged grape brandy of any kind will make a drinkable version.
What is the most important thing to get right in Yungueño?
Singani holds a protected denomination of origin in Bolivia and must be made from Muscat of Alexandria grapes grown in defined high-altitude zones.
