It’s shot o’clock! As a classic Puerto Rico style Chichaito shot is the king. This liquorice flavoured delight does a good job of masking its rummy base. It is a very popular shot that can be found all over Puerto Rico. It is priced as low as $1 in small bars and sometimes even comes free during happy hours. As fun as this drink can be, it is extremely strong so be sure to drink responsibly.
Chicaito is made of white rum and Anise liquor and come in a wide variety of flavours like coconut, passion fruit, hawthon berry, and some are even served with a grain of coffee.
Despite its quirky PR game, Chichaito shots actually have a bit of cultural significance. They were first created in the 1930s and 1940s as a way of curbing the restrictions placed on women drinking rum during that time. Who would have thought?-This drink is a delicious hero!
The History of the Chichaito Shot
As mentioned above, the first Chichaito shots were had in the 1930s- you could say as an act of rebellion. Alcohol consumption faced many tribulations in the early 1910. At one point selling and consuming alcohol was strictly prohibited-this includes Puerto Rico’s indigenous rum. After a lot of political movements the restrictions finally eased although they somehow still applied to women. When this delicious deviant came about, women were finally given a chance to drink some.
This is actually considered a poor man’s drink and is supposed to be drunk slowly and in moderation. It is a drink to be shared. You may see little bottles of this drink tucked away in back pockets as people strut the streets or being handed out of tote bags as shots followed by a chaser of Medalla.
How to Make the Chichaito Shot
Here is the fun part- the Chichaito shot recipe! Find below some of the best ways to make this drink at home.
Basic Chichaito Recipe
- 1 part Anisette or Anis liquor
- 1 part white rum (any brand is fine)
- Mix in a shaker with lots of ice and strain or pour all the ingredients in a shot glass and enjoy
Lemon Flavoured Chichaitos
- 1 part Anisette or Anis liquor
- 1 part white rum
- 1/2 part honey
- 1/2 part lemon juice
- Mix in a shaker with lots of ice and strain or pour all the ingredients in a shot glass and enjoy
This recipe is enough for 8 shots.
Coconut Flavoured Chichaito
- 1 cup of anisette liquor
- 1 cup of white rum
- 2 teaspoons of cinnamon powder
- 1 cab of coconut cream
- 1 can of coconut milk
- Mix in a blender with enough ice and pour into a bottle to chill in the fridge.
- Shake before serving.
Most of the other chichaito variants are made in a similar way, so have fun experimenting and see if you can discover any new ones.
Where to Enjoy the Chichaito Shot in Puerto Rico
You can enjoy a good Chichaito shot at bars and restaurants. The best ones are usually served at family-owned bars and restaurants called ‘chinchorros’.
A great restaurant that serves these shots is the Oja Restaurant located at 35 Calle Jose de Diego, Cabo Rojo. They provide excellent service and food.
Alternatively, you can visit the traditional Puerto Rican bar Los 3 Cuernos which is famous for its traditional Chichaito shots that come in over 24 different flavours. You may even be lucky enough to receive a free flask of your favourite flavour.
If you‘re in search of a dish to pair with this iconic drink, why not try the Jumbo Gambas al Chichaito which was inspired by the drink itself.
You can pair this tasty drink with a fruity pina colada, a margarita, or any drink of your choice really.
Other Puerto Rican Shots and Cocktails to try
Puerto Rico has so many drinks to offer besides the cheeky chichaito. Here are a few of them
- the national drink of Puerto Rico, the pina colada
- the coquito, which is similar to eggnog and is made with white rum, coconut milk and cream, evaporated milk, condensed milk, and spices.
- the amaretto colada which has a rich nutty flavour thanks to almond liquor
- the pitorro
- Bili, which is famous in Vieques
- the Medalla Light Beer, perfect for lounging at the beach
- the cuba libre, which is a mix of rum, coke, and a squeeze of lemon juice
- the Don Q
Are you eager to try the Chichaito shot? Are you ready to experience Puerto Rico at its finest? Head down to Puerto Rico to try the shot and discover its rich culinary traditions