Updated at: 18-04-2026 - By: John Lau

From the sultry streets of Buenos Aires to the sun-soaked vineyards of Mendoza, Argentina pours its soul into every glass. These are the drinks that will make you fall in love.


Picture this: it is a warm evening in Buenos Aires. Tango music drifts through an open window, the aroma of an asado fills the air, and someone places a cold, beautiful drink in your hands. That first sip? Pure magic. Argentinian cocktails are not just beverages; they are liquid stories, each one woven from centuries of immigrant influence, indigenous tradition, passionate winemakers, and a culture that genuinely believes life is too short for a boring drink.

Argentina might be world-famous for Malbec and yerba mate, but its cocktail scene is far richer and more diverse than most people realize. Whether you are planning a trip to South America, hosting a dinner party with a Latin theme, or simply looking for something gorgeous and new to shake up on a Friday night, this list was made for you.

Here are 18 of the most extraordinary Argentinian cocktails, complete with recipes, step-by-step instructions, and the fascinating history behind each one.


A Quick Sip of History: Argentina and Its Drinking Culture

Argentina has one of the most layered drinking cultures in the world. The country absorbed waves of Italian, Spanish, German, and Eastern European immigrants throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, each bringing their own beloved spirits and flavors. Italians brought Fernet, vermouth, and Campari. The Spanish left behind a love of fortified wines. The indigenous Guaraní people had been drinking yerba mate for centuries before any European set foot on the continent.

Today, Argentina is the fifth-largest wine producer in the world, and the country consumes roughly 75% of all Fernet produced globally, a staggering figure that tells you everything you need to know about how deeply these adopted flavors become part of Argentine identity. Buenos Aires has one of the most vibrant bar scenes in Latin America, with cocktail culture that blends old-world elegance with fearless creativity.

Now, let us get to the good part.


Fernandito (Fernet con Coca)

Fernandito (Fernet con Coca)

The drink that started a legend.

If Argentina had a national cocktail, this would be it. The Fernandito is so beloved that it inspired an entire drinking culture centered on the bitter, herbal Italian spirit Fernet Branca mixed with Coca-Cola. The drink got its start in the university city of Córdoba in the mid-1980s, fueled by a joint advertising campaign and the enthusiasm of students who reportedly poured an entire bottle of Fernet into a two-liter Coke and passed it around. Today, Córdoba drinks an estimated 3 million liters of Fernet every year.

Fernet itself is a dark, syrupy amaro made with over 27 herbs and spices including chamomile, cardamom, myrrh, rhubarb, aloe, and saffron. It is intensely bitter, herbaceous, and deeply complex. Paired with the sweet fizz of Coca-Cola, it transforms into something surprisingly, almost dangerously, drinkable.

What you need:

  • 1.5 oz (45ml) Fernet Branca
  • 4.5 oz (135ml) Coca-Cola, chilled
  • Ice cubes
  • Optional: a slice of lime

How to make it:

  1. Fill a tall glass generously with ice cubes.
  2. Pour the Fernet directly over the ice.
  3. Slowly pour the Coca-Cola down the side of the glass to preserve the fizz.
  4. Give it the gentlest of stirs with a long spoon, just once or twice.
  5. Add a lime wedge on the rim if desired and serve immediately.

Pro tip: The classic local ratio is 1 part Fernet to 3 parts Coke, but you can adjust to taste as you get more acquainted with Fernet’s bold personality.


The Tincho

The Tincho

The drink Buenos Aires rooftop bars were made for.

The Tincho is Argentina’s answer to the margarita, except lighter, more floral, and completely wine-based. It was created by Valentin Eduardo Bianchi, the third-generation owner of Bodega Valentin Bianchi winery (founded in 1928), who was affectionately nicknamed “Tincho” as a boy. One hot summer afternoon, he simply squeezed a lime into a glass of New Age White, the winery’s signature blend of 90% Torrontés and 10% Sauvignon Blanc, poured it over ice, and a cocktail phenomenon was born.

The Torrontés grape is Argentina’s most celebrated white variety, native to the country and known for its intensely floral aromas of jasmine and gardenia, peachy flavors, and a naturally slight effervescence that makes it perfect for warm-weather sipping.

What you need:

  • 6 oz (180ml) New Age White wine (or any Torrontés-based wine)
  • Juice of half a fresh lime
  • Ice cubes
  • Lime wheel for garnish

How to make it:

  1. Fill a large wine glass or tumbler with plenty of ice.
  2. Pour the chilled Torrontés wine over the ice.
  3. Squeeze in the juice of half a lime.
  4. Stir gently once or twice.
  5. Drop in a lime wheel for garnish and serve.

This is the perfect cocktail for a hot afternoon, a girls’ brunch, or any moment when you want something elegant without the effort.


Gancia Batido

Gancia Batido

Frothy, citrusy, and utterly addictive.

Gancia is a vermouth-style aperitivo made with over 15 types of herbs and botanicals, and it has been an Argentine staple since Italian immigrants introduced it in the early 20th century. On its own it is intensely bitter and herbal, described as a cross between a lemon drop and a tonic water. But shaken with lemon juice, sugar, and ice, it transforms into the Gancia Batido: a foamy, citrusy cocktail that tastes like Argentina’s take on a pisco sour.

What you need:

  • 2 oz (60ml) Gancia Aperitivo (or a dry Italian vermouth)
  • 1 oz (30ml) fresh lemon juice
  • 0.5 oz (15ml) simple syrup
  • Ice
  • Lemon twist for garnish

How to make it:

  1. Add the Gancia, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker.
  2. Fill the shaker with ice.
  3. Shake vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds until the outside of the shaker feels very cold.
  4. Strain into a chilled coupe glass or rocks glass.
  5. Garnish with a lemon twist and serve.

The vigorous shake is the secret to that gorgeous frothy texture. Do not skip it.


Pomelo Gin

Pomelo Gin

Simple, refreshing, and dangerously easy to drink.

The Pomelo Gin is one of the most popular everyday cocktails in Argentina’s urban cocktail bars, particularly in Buenos Aires. “Pomelo” means grapefruit in Spanish, and the pairing of gin’s botanical depth with the tart brightness of grapefruit is a match made in cocktail heaven. Argentina has seen a serious craft gin boom in recent years, with local distilleries infusing their gins with native botanicals like yerba mate, eucalyptus, and grapefruit peel. The most notable is Príncipe de los Apóstoles, a Buenos Aires gin made with fresh yerba mate leaves, mint, and grapefruit.

What you need:

  • 1.5 oz (45ml) gin (Argentine botanical gin preferred)
  • 4 oz (120ml) fresh grapefruit juice or grapefruit soda
  • Ice
  • Grapefruit slice for garnish
  • Optional: pinch of salt or a salted rim

How to make it:

  1. Salt the rim of your glass by running a grapefruit wedge around the edge and dipping it in salt (optional but delicious).
  2. Fill the glass with ice.
  3. Pour the gin over the ice.
  4. Top with fresh grapefruit juice or grapefruit soda.
  5. Stir gently to combine.
  6. Garnish with a slice of fresh grapefruit.

Lunfardo

Lunfardo

A love letter to Buenos Aires in a glass.

Named after the secret slang dialect developed by Argentine working-class immigrants in Buenos Aires in the late 19th century, Lunfardo is a sophisticated cocktail that blends gin with Argentina’s beloved Malbec wine and a splash of grapefruit juice. The drink symbolizes the cultural mashup that defines Argentina: European spirit (gin), iconic local wine (Malbec), and bright citrus to tie it all together. It is complex, layered, and a little bit rebellious, just like the city it was named after.

What you need:

  • 1.5 oz (45ml) gin
  • 2 oz (60ml) Malbec wine
  • 1 oz (30ml) fresh grapefruit juice
  • 0.5 oz (15ml) simple syrup
  • Ice
  • Orange twist for garnish

How to make it:

  1. Combine gin, grapefruit juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice.
  2. Shake well for 10 to 15 seconds.
  3. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
  4. Slowly pour the Malbec over the back of a spoon so it floats on top, creating a beautiful layered effect.
  5. Garnish with an orange twist.

The Malbec float is optional but makes for a truly stunning presentation.


Vermú Argentino

Vermú Argentino

The aperitivo hour the whole neighborhood talks about.

Argentina has been producing its own vermouth since 1925, brought over by Italian immigrants who could not bear to live without it. But this is not your grandmother’s vermouth. Buenos Aires has developed a whole culture around “la hora del vermú,” the sacred afternoon aperitivo hour on Sundays, where vermouth is served with soda water and an orange slice and enjoyed at a leisurely pace before a long family lunch. Specialty vermuterías have opened across Buenos Aires dedicated entirely to vermouth cocktails.

What you need:

  • 2 oz (60ml) sweet red vermouth (Cinzano or Martini Rosso work beautifully)
  • Splash of soda water
  • Ice
  • Orange slice
  • Optional: a green olive and a splash of Hesperidina bitter orange liqueur

How to make it:

  1. Fill a large wine glass or rocks glass with ice.
  2. Pour the vermouth over the ice.
  3. Add a generous splash of soda water.
  4. Stir gently once or twice.
  5. Drop in an orange slice and a green olive on a toothpick if you are feeling traditional.
  6. Add a dash of Hesperidina for a local twist.

Campari Garibaldi

Campari Garibaldi

Bitter, bold, and absolutely beautiful.

Like Fernet, Campari is an Italian spirit that Argentina has completely claimed as its own. The Campari Garibaldi is one of the simplest and most refreshing cocktails in the Argentine repertoire: Campari poured over ice and topped with fresh orange juice. It is vibrant, sunset-colored, and the perfect balance of bitter and sweet. The drink is named after the Italian military hero Giuseppe Garibaldi, who was actually partly of Uruguayan/Argentine origin (he spent years in South America before his famous Italian campaigns), making the name feel particularly fitting in this context.

What you need:

  • 1.5 oz (45ml) Campari
  • 4 oz (120ml) freshly squeezed orange juice
  • Ice
  • Orange wheel for garnish

How to make it:

  1. Fill a tall glass with ice cubes.
  2. Pour the Campari over the ice.
  3. Squeeze and pour the fresh orange juice over the top.
  4. Stir very gently, just once, to barely combine.
  5. Garnish with an orange wheel on the rim.

The key here is freshly squeezed orange juice. Store-bought simply does not compare.


Malbec Spritz

Malbec Spritz

The Aperol Spritz’s more sophisticated Argentine cousin.

As Argentina’s most iconic wine export, Malbec deserves its own cocktail spotlight. The Malbec Spritz is Argentina’s answer to the Italian Aperol Spritz, swapping Prosecco for the country’s beloved deep, velvety red wine. The result is darker, richer, and fruitier than the original, with a beautiful depth of flavor that makes it irresistible on a warm evening. It has become increasingly popular in Buenos Aires wine bars as a low-alcohol alternative for those who love complexity without the commitment.

What you need:

  • 3 oz (90ml) Malbec wine
  • 1 oz (30ml) Aperol or Campari
  • 2 oz (60ml) sparkling water or club soda
  • Ice
  • Orange slice and fresh rosemary for garnish

How to make it:

  1. Fill a large wine glass with ice cubes.
  2. Pour the Aperol or Campari over the ice first.
  3. Pour the Malbec over the top.
  4. Add the sparkling water.
  5. Stir very gently once or twice to loosely combine.
  6. Garnish with an orange slice and a sprig of rosemary for an aromatic touch.

Beso de Frambuesa

Beso de Frambuesa

A kiss of raspberry in every sip.

The Beso de Frambuesa (Raspberry Kiss) is a delicate, feminine cocktail that celebrates Argentina’s rich wine culture with a touch of French elegance. It combines a Malbec/Merlot rosé blend with a splash of Chambord, the French black raspberry liqueur, served in a champagne flute. The natural raspberry aromas already present in Argentine Malbec are beautifully amplified by the Chambord, creating a cocktail that tastes like a romantic Buenos Aires evening.

What you need:

  • 4 oz (120ml) Argentine rosé wine (Malbec/Merlot blend preferred)
  • 0.5 oz (15ml) Chambord raspberry liqueur
  • Champagne or prosecco (optional, to top up)
  • Fresh raspberries for garnish

How to make it:

  1. Chill your champagne flute in the freezer for 5 minutes before serving.
  2. Pour the Chambord into the bottom of the flute.
  3. Slowly pour the chilled rosé wine down the side of the glass so the layers stay somewhat distinct.
  4. Top with a splash of champagne or prosecco if you like more bubbles.
  5. Drop 2 to 3 fresh raspberries into the glass and serve immediately.

Argentina Cocktail (Classic)

Argentina Cocktail (Classic)

The sophisticated classic from 1977.

This elegant cocktail appeared in Stanley M. Jones’ 1977 Jones’ Complete Barguide and remains one of the most refined entries in the Argentinian cocktail canon. It is essentially a complex wet martini, enriched with the honeyed herbal liqueur Bénédictine and orange-forward Cointreau, balanced with Angostura and orange bitters. Small but devastatingly good; one of these is genuinely enough.

What you need:

  • 1 oz (30ml) gin
  • 1 oz (30ml) dry vermouth
  • 0.25 oz (7ml) Cointreau
  • 0.25 oz (7ml) Bénédictine D.O.M.
  • 1 dash orange bitters
  • 1 dash Angostura bitters
  • Ice for stirring
  • Orange peel for garnish

How to make it:

  1. Add gin, dry vermouth, Cointreau, Bénédictine, orange bitters, and Angostura bitters into a mixing glass.
  2. Fill with ice and stir for 20 to 30 seconds until well chilled and diluted.
  3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass or coupe.
  4. Express an orange peel over the drink (twist it over the surface to release the oils) and use as garnish.

Matecito

Matecito

When your favorite morning ritual becomes a cocktail.

Yerba mate has been drunk in Argentina since long before European settlers arrived. The Guaraní indigenous people introduced it to the region, and it became an essential part of Argentine social life: communal, ceremonial, and deeply personal. The Matecito cocktail honors that tradition by combining yerba mate-infused vodka or spirit with citrus and a touch of sweetness, creating a drink that bridges the ancient and the contemporary.

What you need:

  • 1.5 oz (45ml) yerba mate-infused vodka (or plain vodka with a shot of cold brewed mate)
  • 0.75 oz (22ml) fresh lemon juice
  • 0.5 oz (15ml) honey syrup (1:1 honey and warm water)
  • 2 oz (60ml) cold brewed yerba mate tea
  • Ice
  • Fresh mint and lemon wheel for garnish

How to make it:

  1. Brew a strong cold yerba mate tea by steeping leaves in cold water for 4 to 6 hours, then straining.
  2. Add vodka, fresh lemon juice, honey syrup, and 1 oz of the cold mate tea to a shaker filled with ice.
  3. Shake vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds.
  4. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
  5. Top with the remaining cold mate tea.
  6. Garnish with fresh mint and a lemon wheel.

Hesperidina Sour

Hesperidina Sour

A sip of Argentina’s very first patent.

Hesperidina holds a very special place in Argentine history: it was the very first patent ever registered in Argentina. Invented in the 1860s by an American immigrant named Melville Sewell Bagley, it is a bitter orange liqueur made from orange peel, with a flavor like a sweeter, more herbal tonic water. It was enormously popular for over a century, then fell into obscurity, and has now been dramatically revived by a new generation of Buenos Aires bartenders who love its nostalgic, retro appeal.

What you need:

  • 1.5 oz (45ml) Hesperidina (or substitute Cointreau with a dash of Angostura bitters)
  • 0.75 oz (22ml) fresh lemon juice
  • 0.5 oz (15ml) simple syrup
  • 1 egg white (optional, for froth)
  • Ice
  • Dried orange wheel and a few drops of Angostura bitters for garnish

How to make it:

  1. If using egg white, combine all ingredients in a shaker without ice first (dry shake) for 10 seconds to emulsify.
  2. Add ice and shake again vigorously for another 15 seconds.
  3. If not using egg white, simply combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake well.
  4. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
  5. Garnish with a dried orange wheel and a few decorative drops of Angostura bitters on the foam.

White Argentine Sangria (Sangría Blanca)

White Argentine Sangria (Sangría Blanca)

Party-ready, utterly gorgeous, and made for sharing.

Sangria in Argentina takes a bold creative turn by swapping traditional red wine for the floral, semi-sweet Torrontés white wine, creating a drink that is lighter, more aromatic, and perfectly suited to the Argentine summer (which, of course, falls during our winter). This white sangria is loaded with tropical fruits and has a sparkling, festive energy that makes it ideal for parties, garden gatherings, or any occasion where you want to make a big, beautiful impression.

What you need (serves 6 to 8):

  • 1 bottle (750ml) Torrontés white wine
  • 2 oz (60ml) Triple Sec or Cointreau
  • 1 oz (30ml) brandy (optional)
  • 1 cup sparkling water or lemon soda
  • 1 kiwi, peeled and sliced
  • 1 peach, sliced
  • 2 tangerines or mandarins, peeled and segmented
  • 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • Ice

How to make it:

  1. In a large pitcher, combine all the sliced and prepared fruits with the sugar.
  2. Pour the Triple Sec (and brandy if using) over the fruit.
  3. Using a wooden spoon, gently macerate the fruit for 1 to 2 minutes, pressing just enough to release some juices.
  4. Let the mixture sit for at least 20 to 30 minutes (or refrigerate overnight for deeper flavor).
  5. When ready to serve, pour the chilled Torrontés wine into the pitcher and stir gently.
  6. Add the sparkling water or lemon soda right before serving.
  7. Pour into ice-filled glasses, making sure each glass gets plenty of fruit.

El General

El General

Smoky, complex, and crafted for the adventurous.

El General was born from a collaboration between an Argentine mixologist and Jameson Irish Whiskey, resulting in a truly singular cocktail that combines whiskey with Argentine wine and bitters. It has a deep, smoky warmth with earthy undertones and a lingering complexity that makes it the perfect contemplative evening drink. The name suggests the commanding authority this cocktail has over the palate.

What you need:

  • 1.5 oz (45ml) Irish whiskey or bourbon
  • 1 oz (30ml) Argentine Malbec wine
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 0.5 oz (15ml) simple syrup
  • Ice
  • Large ice cube for serving
  • Orange peel for garnish

How to make it:

  1. Combine the whiskey, Malbec, bitters, and simple syrup in a mixing glass.
  2. Add ice and stir slowly and steadily for 20 to 30 seconds.
  3. Strain into a rocks glass over one large, clear ice cube.
  4. Hold an orange peel over the glass and twist sharply to release the essential oils onto the surface.
  5. Run the peel around the rim of the glass and drop it in as garnish.

Torrontés Strawberry Gin Cocktail

Torrontés Strawberry Gin Cocktail

Born in a Buenos Aires burger joint, destined for your heart.

This bright, summery cocktail was famously inspired by a creative Buenos Aires restaurant that decided their local white wine needed a cocktail moment. It combines Argentina’s beloved Torrontés white wine with gin, fresh grapefruit juice, and a gorgeous homemade strawberry simple syrup. The result is elegant, aromatic, and deeply romantic in the best possible way.

What you need:

  • 1 oz (30ml) gin
  • 2 oz (60ml) Torrontés white wine
  • 0.5 oz (15ml) fresh grapefruit juice
  • 0.75 oz (22ml) strawberry simple syrup (instructions below)
  • Ice
  • Fresh strawberry and grapefruit wedge for garnish

For the strawberry simple syrup:

  • 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup granulated sugar

How to make it:

  1. Make the strawberry syrup first: combine strawberries, water, and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, strain out the berries, and let the syrup cool completely. (This keeps in the fridge for 2 weeks.)
  2. Once the syrup is ready, combine gin, grapefruit juice, and strawberry syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice.
  3. Shake vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds.
  4. Strain into a coupe glass or wine glass.
  5. Gently pour the Torrontés over the back of a spoon to float it on top.
  6. Garnish with a fresh strawberry and a small grapefruit wedge.

Caña con Ruda

Caña con Ruda

The mystical August 1st tradition.

This is perhaps the most unique entry on this list, and the one with the most fascinating cultural story. Caña con Ruda is consumed on August 1st every year across Argentina as part of a deeply-held folk tradition. It combines Caña (a potent, clear sugarcane spirit) with an infusion of rue (ruda), an aromatic herb with medicinal and mystical properties. Argentines believe that drinking this specific combination on the first morning of August wards off evil spirits, protects health, and brings good fortune for the month ahead. Some add a coin to the glass for extra luck. It is not the most delicious cocktail on this list, but it might be the most meaningful.

What you need:

  • 1.5 oz (45ml) Caña (or substitute white rum or cachaca)
  • 3 to 4 fresh rue (ruda) leaves or a small fresh sprig
  • 0.5 oz (15ml) honey
  • Warm water or hot herbal tea
  • Optional: a small gold or silver coin to place in the glass for luck

How to make it:

  1. Place the fresh rue leaves in the bottom of a glass.
  2. Add the honey and gently muddle the rue leaves just enough to bruise them and release their aromatic oils.
  3. Pour the Caña over the herbs.
  4. Add a small splash of warm water or herbal tea.
  5. Stir gently.
  6. If honoring the tradition fully, drop a small clean coin into the glass, make your wish, and drink this first thing in the morning on August 1st.

Malbec Old Fashioned

Malbec Old Fashioned

When Argentina meets the world’s greatest cocktail.

The Old Fashioned is universally beloved, but when Argentine bartenders get their hands on it, something wonderful happens. By substituting some of the whiskey for Malbec wine and using local wine-based bitters, this cocktail takes on a richer, fruitier dimension while keeping the smooth, brooding elegance that makes the Old Fashioned iconic. It is the perfect dinner party cocktail for anyone who appreciates depth, complexity, and a beautiful deep ruby color in their glass.

What you need:

  • 1.5 oz (45ml) bourbon or aged tequila
  • 0.75 oz (22ml) Malbec wine
  • 1 tsp raw sugar or demerara sugar
  • 2 to 3 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 1 dash orange bitters
  • Ice
  • Orange peel and a Malbec-soaked cherry for garnish

How to make it:

  1. Place the sugar and bitters in a rocks glass.
  2. Add a tiny splash of water and muddle until the sugar is mostly dissolved.
  3. Add a large ice cube.
  4. Pour the bourbon (or aged tequila) over the ice.
  5. Slowly drizzle the Malbec over the back of a spoon so it floats gently on top.
  6. Stir just 3 or 4 times to barely combine, preserving the beautiful layered effect.
  7. Express an orange peel over the top, rub it around the rim, and place it in the glass.
  8. Add a cherry if desired and serve.

Clerico

Clerico

Argentina’s beloved summer pitcher cocktail.

Clerico is Argentina’s own version of sangria, but do not call it that in front of an Argentine or you will get a very serious look. Clerico is distinctly Argentine in its spirit: generous, communal, and meant to be made in enormous quantities and shared. It is traditionally made with white wine and fresh seasonal fruits, served ice-cold in large pitchers at summer asados and family gatherings. The name is thought to derive from the French “clairet,” a type of light wine. It is joyful, fruity, and completely irresistible.

What you need (serves 6):

  • 1 bottle (750ml) dry white wine (Torrontés or Chardonnay)
  • 1 cup fresh orange juice
  • 0.5 cup brandy or pisco
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 apple, diced small
  • 1 pear, diced small
  • 1 cup seedless grapes, halved
  • 1 peach or nectarine, diced
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Sparkling water to top (optional)
  • Fresh mint for garnish

How to make it:

  1. Combine all the diced fruit in a large pitcher.
  2. Add the sugar and lemon juice, and stir gently to coat the fruit.
  3. Let the fruit macerate for at least 30 minutes (longer is better; overnight in the fridge is ideal).
  4. Pour the white wine, fresh orange juice, and brandy over the fruit.
  5. Stir to combine.
  6. When ready to serve, add ice to each glass, ladle the Clerico in (making sure to include plenty of fruit), and top with a splash of sparkling water if desired.
  7. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

Submarino Cocktail (Grown-Up Edition)

Submarino Cocktail (Grown-Up Edition)

Because sometimes chocolate and alcohol are exactly what you need.

The Submarino is technically a beloved Argentine childhood drink: a glass of hot milk with a bar of dark chocolate dropped in (the “submarine”) and stirred until melted. It is nostalgic, comforting, and deeply ingrained in Argentine winter culture. But this grown-up version adds Baileys Irish Cream and a splash of Argentine brandy, transforming it into a decadent after-dinner cocktail that celebrates those same flavors in a far more indulgent way.

What you need:

  • 4 oz (120ml) whole milk, steamed or very hot
  • 1 oz (30ml) Baileys Irish Cream
  • 0.5 oz (15ml) brandy or Fernet Menta
  • 1 small rectangle of 70% dark chocolate (about 15g)
  • Pinch of cinnamon
  • Whipped cream (optional)

How to make it:

  1. Heat the milk in a small saucepan until it is very hot and just beginning to steam. Do not boil.
  2. Pour the Baileys and brandy into the bottom of a heat-safe glass or mug.
  3. Pour the hot milk over the top and stir gently.
  4. Drop the dark chocolate rectangle into the glass like a “submarine.”
  5. Watch it slowly sink and begin to melt.
  6. Dust with a pinch of cinnamon.
  7. Add a dollop of whipped cream if you are feeling truly indulgent.
  8. Let the chocolate melt for about 1 to 2 minutes before drinking so you get little ribbons of melted chocolate with every sip.

Tips for Making the Best Argentinian Cocktails at Home

Use quality wine. Argentine cocktails live or die by the quality of their wine. A good Malbec or Torrontés does not have to be expensive, but it should be one you would happily drink on its own.

Fresh citrus is non-negotiable. From the Tincho’s lime to the Gancia Batido’s lemon, fresh-squeezed juice makes an enormous difference. Bottled citrus juice is a shortcut you will regret.

Do not fear Fernet. Many people are intimidated by its intensity, but the Fernandito (Fernet con Coca) is genuinely one of the most approachable and delicious cocktails on this list. Give it a fair chance.

Embrace the aperitivo culture. Many of these drinks are meant to be enjoyed before a meal, slowly, with good conversation and perhaps some olives or cheese on the side. Resist the urge to rush. The Argentine approach to drinking is fundamentally about making time feel larger.

Make it a ritual. Whether you are mixing a batch of Clerico for friends or quietly preparing a single Malbec Old Fashioned for yourself on a Wednesday evening, lean into the ceremony of it. Argentines do not just drink; they celebrate the act of coming together.


Final Thoughts

Argentine cocktail culture is one of the world’s hidden treasures: bold, warm, layered with history, and endlessly creative. From the fiercely local Fernandito to the elegant Tincho, from the mystical Caña con Ruda to the lush, fruit-forward Clerico, every one of these drinks tells a story about a country that knows how to live beautifully.

So pour yourself something gorgeous, put on some tango music (or some cumbia, no judgment), and toast to Argentina, one of the most spirited nations on earth.

¡Salud!


Enjoyed this guide? Save it to your Pinterest boards so you always have it handy for your next dinner party, girls’ night, or solo indulgence evening. And if you try any of these recipes, we would love to hear which one became your new favorite.