El Escorpión

El Escorpión does is made with Bacan Guaro 29, dry vermouth, Luxardo Bitter Bianco, and colorful Colombian flag ice cubes, this cocktail brings together Colombian culture, soccer pride, and a clean, aromatic aguardiente base.

This drink was inspired by Colombian soccer legend René Higuita and his famous “Scorpion Kick,” one of the most unforgettable moments in soccer history. That playful, daring spirit shows up in the cocktail through its layered red, blue, and yellow ice cubes, which nod to the Colombian flag while adding fruit flavor as they melt.

I love this because it feels like a celebration drink with real meaning behind it. It is made for World Cup watch parties, game-day gatherings, International Aguardiente Day on July 12th, or any event where you want cocktails that start conversations. It is crisp, bright, smooth, and full of Colombian character.

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Why You’ll Love This

El Escorpión is not your usual stirred cocktail. It has the clean structure of a spirit-forward drink, but the Colombian flag ice cubes give it color, fruit flavor, and a strong visual hook.

• Bacan Guaro 29 gives the cocktail a smooth anise aroma.
• Dry vermouth adds a crisp, herbal layer.
• Luxardo Bitter Bianco brings gentle bitterness and balance.
• Colombian flag ice cubes make the drink memorable.
• Great for soccer parties, cultural events, and celebrations.
• The drink slowly changes as the fruit ice cubes melt.

This is a cocktail that feels thoughtful without being too complicated. The drink itself is easy to stir, while the ice cubes can be made ahead of time for a fun finishing touch.

Ingredients

This cocktail uses a short list of ingredients, but each one has a clear purpose. Bacan Guaro is the star, bringing smooth sugarcane character and aromatic star anise. Dry vermouth keeps the drink crisp, while Luxardo Bitter Bianco adds a slightly bitter, herbal edge.

For the cocktail:

• 2 oz Bacan Guaro 29
• 1 oz dry vermouth
• ¾ oz Luxardo Bitter Bianco
• Signature Colombian flag ice cubes

For the Colombian flag ice cubes, per flavor:

• 3½ oz fruit pulp
• Red: strawberry and raspberry
• Yellow: pineapple and passion fruit
• Blue: blueberry
• 2 oz sugar
• 7 oz water
• 1 to 2 drops blue food coloring for blue ice cubes
• 1 to 2 drops red food coloring for red ice cubes
• Fresh blueberries for blue ice cubes, optional

Bacan Guaro is made with only organic sugarcane, organic star anise, and purified water. That simple base gives the cocktail a clean finish and smooth texture. The fruit ice cubes add color and a slow release of flavor, turning the drink into something that feels both festive and personal.

Suggested Liquor Brands and Substitutions

This recipe is meant to feature Bacan Guaro 29, so that should be the first choice. It gives El Escorpión its Colombian identity and helps the cocktail stand apart from standard gin or vodka drinks.

• Bacan Guaro 29: The suggested aguardiente for this cocktail. It brings clean sugarcane flavor, star anise aroma, and a smooth finish.
• Dolin Dry Vermouth: A crisp, reliable dry vermouth that works well in stirred cocktails.
• Noilly Prat Extra Dry Vermouth: A classic option with herbal character.
• Luxardo Bitter Bianco: The suggested bitter for this recipe because it keeps the drink clear while adding depth.
• Fresh fruit pulp: Use real fruit pulp when possible for better flavor in the ice cubes.
• No direct substitute for Bacan Guaro: Since this cocktail is built around Bacan, swapping the base spirit will change the drink’s identity.

If you cannot find one fruit for the ice cubes, you can use a similar color fruit instead. Mango can help with yellow, blackberry can deepen blue, and cherry can support red.

Equipment and Glassware

The cocktail itself is simple to prepare, but the ice cubes need a little planning. The best part is that the ice can be made in advance, so serving the drink later is quick.

You’ll need:

• Mixing Glass
• Bar Spoon
• Jigger
• Strainer
• Collins Glass
• Saucepan
• Square ice molds
• Ice tongs

A Collins glass works best because it gives room to stack the red, blue, and yellow ice cubes in order. Clear glass is also important so the Colombian flag colors can be seen.

How to Make It

El Escorpión has two parts: the signature Colombian flag ice cubes and the stirred cocktail. Make the ice cubes first, then build the drink when ready to serve.

Signature Colombian Flag Ice Cubes

1. Add fruit pulp, sugar, and water to a saucepan.
2. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is evenly combined.
3. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then remove from heat.
4. Add food coloring to the blueberry and raspberry/strawberry mixtures while warm, adjusting until the desired color is reached.
5. Allow each mixture to cool completely.
6. Pour into square ice molds and freeze for at least 10 hours, or until fully solid.
7. Repeat the process for each flavor.
8. For the blue ice cubes, add 3 fresh blueberries into each cube before freezing for an extra garnish and burst of blueberry flavor.

For the Cocktail

1. Add Bacan Guaro, dry vermouth, and Luxardo Bitter Bianco to a mixing glass.
2. Fill the mixing glass with ice and stir until well chilled.
3. Add the Colombian flag ice cubes to a Collins glass in this order: red, blue, then yellow.
4. Strain the cocktail over the ice cubes.
5. Serve immediately and enjoy the El Escorpión.

The cocktail is crisp when first poured, then becomes fruitier as the colored ice cubes slowly melt into the glass.

Pro Tips

The details matter with this drink, especially because the ice cubes are part of the presentation and flavor.

• Freeze the ice cubes overnight so they are fully solid before serving.
• Use square molds for a cleaner stacked look in the Collins glass.
• Cool the fruit mixtures completely before freezing for better texture.
• Stir the cocktail until well chilled for a smoother sip.
• Use fresh ice in the mixing glass so the cocktail dilutes properly.
• Add the flag ice cubes in the correct order: red, blue, then yellow.
• Serve right away so guests see the full color effect.
• Taste the fruit pulp mixture before freezing and adjust sweetness if needed.

This cocktail gives you room to have fun with color, garnish, and presentation while keeping the drink itself balanced and clean.

Variations

El Escorpión is already a strong concept, but you can adjust it slightly for different events or guest preferences.

• Game-Day Batch: Stir a larger batch of Bacan Guaro, dry vermouth, and Luxardo Bitter Bianco ahead of time, then pour over flag ice cubes to serve.
• Extra Fruit Ice Version: Add small pieces of fruit into each ice cube before freezing.
• Softer Bitterness: Reduce the Luxardo Bitter Bianco slightly for a milder profile.
• Brighter Citrus Finish: Garnish with a small lemon peel for added aroma.
• Lower Alcohol Version: Use smaller pours of the cocktail mixture and extra fruit ice.

The key is keeping Bacan Guaro at the center so the drink still feels true to the original idea.

When to Serve and Pairings

El Escorpión is a natural fit for celebrations with energy and personality. Its Colombian inspiration makes it especially meaningful for cultural events and soccer gatherings.

Serve it for:

• World Cup watch parties
• Colombian Independence Day gatherings
• International Aguardiente Day on July 12th
• Game-day parties
• Backyard celebrations
• Cocktail nights with friends

Food pairings:

• Empanadas
• Arepas
• Grilled steak skewers
• Patacones
• Chicharrón bites
• Ceviche
• Spiced roasted nuts

The cocktail’s clean anise notes and gentle bitterness pair well with salty, savory, and lightly spicy foods.

Storage and Serving Notes

The cocktail should be stirred and served fresh, but the ice cubes are perfect for making ahead. Since they need at least 10 hours to freeze, plan to prepare them the day before serving.

Store the colored ice cubes in sealed freezer bags or covered molds once frozen. This helps keep them from picking up freezer smells.

You can also pre-measure the Bacan Guaro, dry vermouth, and Luxardo Bitter Bianco for faster service. Keep the mixture chilled, then stir with ice right before pouring.

Do not add the cocktail over the flag ice cubes until guests are ready to drink. The colors look best right after the drink is poured.

FAQs

Here are some helpful answers for making El Escorpión at home.

What is Bacan Guaro?

Bacan Guaro is a Colombian aguardiente made with organic sugarcane, organic star anise, and purified water. It has smooth texture, clean flavor, and aromatic anise notes.

What does El Escorpión taste like?

It tastes crisp, lightly bitter, aromatic, and smooth, with a gentle fruit note that grows as the Colombian flag ice cubes melt.

Why is it called El Escorpión?

The drink is inspired by René Higuita’s famous Scorpion Kick, one of the most iconic moves in soccer history.

Can I make the flag ice cubes ahead of time?

Yes. They should be made at least 10 hours ahead, but you can make them a few days in advance and store them in the freezer.

Do I need food coloring?

Food coloring is optional, but it helps create stronger red and blue colors for the Colombian flag effect.

What glass should I use?

A Collins glass works best because it gives enough height to show the stacked red, blue, and yellow ice cubes.

More Cocktails to Try

If you enjoy cocktails with cultural flair, colorful presentation, and bold flavors, these drinks are worth trying next.

• Spicy GUAROmelon
• Margarita Al Pastor
• Rosa Limonada Bacana
• Tangerine Guaro
• Bacan Spritz