If you haven’t heard of a Chufly, you’re missing out on a bit of Bolivian sunshine. It’s basically the South American cousin to the classic buck cocktail, though it keeps things a bit more floral and bright. The secret—and it really is the only secret here—is singani. It’s this distilled spirit made from Muscat of Alexandria grapes, and honestly, the smell alone is enough to make you feel like you’re standing in a vineyard in the Andes.
According to Misryoum editorial desk, you can actually snag a bottle of this stuff at local spots like Batch 13 or Cordial Fine Wine & Spirits. It’s not just some niche find anymore, which is great for those of us who get tired of the same old gin and tonic. Ramon Escobar, who heads up Chufly Imports, has been pushing this for a while, and he knows his way around a Rujero Singani bottle—or maybe he just knows how to mix a good drink. Actually, it’s definitely both.
You just need two ounces of singani, plenty of ice, and a decent ginger ale. Ideally, something with a bit of a kick like Fentiman’s or Fever Tree. Throw in a lime wedge, and you’re done. It’s light, simple, and the sugar content is only about 8 grams per serving—not bad for a Friday night, right? The smell of the lime zest hitting the ice is always the best part.
Wait, I should mention the nutritional side for those watching their numbers. Misryoum reporting suggests that at roughly 160 calories a glass, it’s a fairly harmless way to wind down. Of course, this is just an estimate—don’t take it as professional dietary advice or anything—but it beats most heavy, syrupy cocktails.
Anyway, the drink itself. It relies heavily on the ginger ale to carry the spice, which balances that weirdly sweet, floral grape base of the singani perfectly. You might find yourself wanting to experiment with different sodas, but sticking to the traditional ginger ale or lemon-lime mix is usually the right move. I mean, if it’s been a staple in Bolivia for this long, who am I to mess with it?
So next time you’re stuck in a rut, just look for the bottle with the grape on it. Or maybe not the grape, check the label—sometimes I forget which one is which—but once you find it, you’re set. It’s a solid drink for when you just want something refreshing without a whole lot of effort.
