If you have never experienced a Chuflay, your palate is missing out on one of the most refreshing secrets in the spirits world. This highball is the undisputed national darling of Bolivia, offering a vibrant, deeply aromatic, and sparkling escape from your standard gin and tonics or Moscow Mules. Built on Singani—a grape brandy distilled from Muscat of Alexandria vines planted high in the Andes—the Chuflay balances a gorgeous floral bouquet with the fiery snap of ginger and a sharp twist of lime.
Finding an authentic version outside South America used to be a challenge. Thanks to a growing global appreciation for unique regional spirits, top mixologists from London to New York are putting this highball back on the menu. This guide will help you find, order, and understand the Chuflay cocktail better than ever before.
The Global Elite: World’s Best Bars for an Authentic Chuflay
To understand the soul of this drink, one must look to the establishments that treat Singani not just as an ingredient, but as a cultural treasure. From high-altitude lounges in Bolivia to elite fusion bars in Europe, these venues serve the absolute finest expressions of the Chuflay.
Gustu — La Paz, Bolivia
Nestled in the high-altitude culinary capital of La Paz, Gustu is famous for its strict philosophy of using only 100% Bolivian ingredients. Founded by Claus Meyer (co-founder of Denmark’s legendary Noma), this world-renowned restaurant serves a Chuflay that is nothing short of an art piece.
They use ultra-premium, single-estate Singani distilled at over 5,000 feet, paired with house-fermented wild ginger beer and a squeeze of local limón sutil. The result is incredibly bright, showcasing the deep, aromatic terroir of the Andes.
Bar Swift — London, United Kingdom
Located in the heart of Soho, Bar Swift is globally celebrated for its masterful, precise approach to classic highballs. Their bartenders are true champions of unique spirits, regularly featuring Singani 63—the brand brought to the global stage by filmmaker Steven Soderbergh.
At Swift, the Chuflay is built with hand-carved ice columns and an exceptionally crisp, dry ginger ale to let the delicate, floral Muscat grape aromas shine without being masked by excess sugar.
Chicha — Berlin, Germany
Chicha brings the vibrant, soul-stirring flavors of South American street food and high-end dining to the hip neighborhood of Neukölln. This cozy Berlin spot is famous for its dedication to authentic Andean spirits.
Their signature Chuflay is crafted using traditional Casa Real Singani and topped with a spicy, artisanal European ginger beer. This creates a fascinating cross-cultural bridge that Berlin’s craft cocktail crowd loves.
Florattica — London, United Kingdom
Perched high above the City of London, this stunning rooftop bar is famous for its botanical-forward cocktail menu. Florattica regularly incorporates Singani 63 into its seasonal recipes.
Their version of the Chuflay plays elegantly with the spirit’s naturally floral profile, often elevating the highball with subtle, custom-made herbal tinctures and premium sparkling mixers.
Coque — Madrid, Spain
Boasting two Michelin stars, Coque is celebrated for its multi-sensory dining experience, which begins in their spectacular cocktail bar. Spain has deep historical ties to the Muscat of Alexandria grape, making Madrid a natural home for premium Singani.
Coque’s mixologists treat the Chuflay with immense respect, serving it as a luxurious, refreshing aperitif using premium ginger ale and custom citrus oils expressed over the glass.
Best Restaurants & Bars in the USA for a Chuflay
Finding the “best Chuflay cocktail near me” in the United States starts with locating bars that stock premium Singani. Because Singani has earned its own official category of distinctive spirit in the US, craft cocktail dens are proudly putting it on display.
Nubeluz by José Andrés — New York City, NY
Perched on the 50th floor of the Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, Nubeluz is chef José Andrés’ gorgeous, retro-glamorous rooftop space. The bar team here loves playing with aromatic spirits.
They serve an elevated Chuflay variant that honors the traditional formula while introducing subtle additions like golden berry honey or house-spiced ginger syrups.
- Pro Tip: This is a highly sought-after spot. Make a reservation right at sunset to enjoy your floral highball with a panoramic view of the Manhattan skyline.
Bar Cima — New York City, NY
Located in Midtown Manhattan, this polished, Mexican-accented rooftop lounge boasts an incredible selection of Latin American distillates. Alongside their stellar mezcals, they feature Singani 63 in creative recipes.
Their bartenders will happily build you a textbook Bolivian Chuflay with fresh lime juice and premium ginger beer.
- Pro Tip: Ask the bartender to make yours with a spicy ginger beer rather than a sweet ginger ale to perfectly contrast the floral sweetness of the grape distillate.The Washington Post
Llama Inn — Brooklyn, NY
This modern, Michelin-rated Peruvian restaurant in Williamsburg is famous for its innovative takes on Andean flavors. While Peru is famous for Pisco, Llama Inn embraces its Bolivian neighbor by stocking top-tier Singani.
Their bar program crafts a brilliantly balanced Chuflay that highlights the shared heritage of South American grape brandies.
- Pro Tip: Order this alongside their famous pork belly bun or sea bass ceviche; the crisp acidity of the drink cuts through rich fats beautifully.
Finding the Best Chuflay Cocktail in the UK
In the UK, the cocktail scene is highly receptive to unique regional spirits, and London is the epicenter of the Singani movement.
Henson’s Bar — London, UK
Located inside the chic Mimi’s Hotel in Soho, Henson’s is a cozy, velvet-draped sanctuary famous for its exceptional craft menu. They frequently work with Singani 63, blending it into high-end sours and highballs.
Their classic Chuflay is exceptionally clean, served in chilled glassware with a generous lime garnish. It currently holds a highly respectable 4.5-star rating on Google.
Savage Garden — London, UK
This dramatic, high-energy rooftop bar near Tower Hill is known for its adventurous cocktail creations. They regularly incorporate Singani into their menu, bringing a taste of the Andes to London’s skyline.
Their highballs are beautifully presented, often incorporating dry ice effects or custom botanical garnishes.
Hawksmoor — London, UK (Multiple Locations)
While primarily famous for serving some of the best steaks in the UK, Hawksmoor’s award-winning bar program is highly regarded for reviving forgotten classics and championing rare spirits. They stock premium Singani and can whip up a flawless, bone-dry Chuflay on demand.
How to Find a Great Chuflay Near You Using Google Maps
- Open Google Maps and type
"Singani 63"or"Singani"into the search bar rather than just “Chuflay”. Because the cocktail is niche, mapping apps index the specific bottle brand much better than the drink’s name.- Look for highly-rated craft cocktail lounges or modern South American (Peruvian, Bolivian, or Pan-Latino) restaurants in the search results.
- Check their online menus or user-submitted photos for “Singani” or “Chuflay” to confirm they stock the spirit before you head out!
What is a Chuflay Cocktail? (Ingredients & Origin)
To understand the Chuflay, you must first understand Singani. Distilled exclusively from Muscat of Alexandria grapes grown at altitudes of 5,200 feet or higher, Singani is an unaged, crystal-clear spirit. The intense mountain UV light and dramatic temperature swings produce grapes with incredibly thick skins, trapping a concentrated burst of essential oils.
Surdyk’s
When distilled, these grapes yield a spirit that smells intensely of fresh white flowers, mountain herbs, and sweet peaches, even though it tastes entirely dry on the tongue. In my experience, food lovers who have tried both Pisco and Singani agree that Singani is much more intensely floral and aromatic on the nose.
┌─────────────────────────────┐
│ CHUFLAY COCKTAIL │
└──────────────┬──────────────┘
│
┌───────────────────────┼───────────────────────┐
▼ ▼ ▼
┌─────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────┐
│ 2 oz Singani │ │ 5 oz Ginger Ale │ │ Fresh Lime │
│ (Aromatic, │ │ or Sprite │ │ Squeezed and │
│ Andean Grape) │ │ (Bubbly Sweet) │ │ Used as Wheel │
└─────────────────┘ └─────────────────┘ └─────────────────┘
The cocktail itself was born out of pure improvisation in the late 19th century. British and American railway workers in Bolivia, longing for a classic “Gin Buck” (gin and ginger ale), found themselves facing a severe gin shortage.
They substituted the local high-altitude grape spirit, Singani. The workaround was dubbed a “shoofly”—a railway term for a temporary track built around an obstruction. Over time, the local Spanish-speaking population beautifully adapted the pronunciation to Chuflay.
Wikipedia
A high-quality Chuflay relies on three basic components:
- The Spirit: 2 oz of premium, single-distilled Bolivian Singani (such as Singani 63 or Casa Real).
- The Mixer: 4 to 5 oz of high-quality ginger ale (or lemon-lime soda for a sweeter profile).Bus Hop
- The Citrus: A generous fresh lime wheel, slightly squeezed into the glass to release both juice and aromatic peel oils.
A poor version of this drink uses cheap, flat soda and artificial lime juice, which completely drowns out the delicate, expensive floral notes of the grape distillate.
How to Make a Perfect Chuflay at Home
You do not need elite bartending skills to make a brilliant Chuflay at home. Because it is a built drink (made directly in the glass without a shaker), temperature and assembly order are everything.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Serving Size: 1 drink
1
Chill your glass and prep the citrus
Step 1
Place a tall Collins glass in the freezer for 5 minutes. Cut a fresh, juicy lime into thick wheels.
Pro Tip: Roll the lime on the counter with firm pressure before cutting to release the maximum amount of aromatic juices.
2
Pack the glass with ice
Step 2
Fill your chilled glass all the way to the top with large, solid ice cubes. Avoid crushed ice, which melts too quickly and dilutes the delicate botanical flavors of the Singani.
3
Measure and pour the Singani
Step 3
Pour 2 ounces of premium Singani directly over the ice. This allows the spirit to cool rapidly upon contact.
4
Add the bubbly mixer
Step 4
Slowly pour 4 to 5 ounces of cold ginger ale (or Sprite/7-Up if you prefer a sweeter, citrus-forward drink) down the inside of the glass to preserve the carbonation.
Common Mistake: Pouring the soda too fast from high above. This knocks out the bubbles, leaving you with a flat, uninspiring drink.
5
Squeeze, garnish, and stir
Step 5
Squeeze a fresh lime wheel gently over the top to release its oils, drop it into the glass, and give it exactly one gentle stir from bottom to top using a long spoon.
Pro Tip: Over-stirring destroys the sparkling texture of the highball. Keep it minimal!
Food Pairings
Serve your fresh Chuflay alongside spicy fish tacos, rich pasta carbonara, or a salty plate of charcuterie. The crisp carbonation and bright acidity act as a palate cleanser, making it the perfect companion for savory, fatty, or spicy dishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Singani and Pisco?
While both are unaged grape brandies from South America, Pisco is made from a variety of grapes in Peru and Chile at lower altitudes. Singani is legally required to be made solely from Muscat of Alexandria grapes grown at high altitudes (above 5,200 feet) in Bolivia, giving it a much more intense floral aroma.
Can I use ginger beer instead of ginger ale in a Chuflay?
Yes! While traditional Bolivians prefer sweet ginger ale or Sprite, using a high-quality, spicy ginger beer turns the drink into a “Singani Mule.” This variation offers a bolder, spicier kick that pairs beautifully with the floral grape notes.
What does a Chuflay taste like?
A Chuflay tastes remarkably light, bubbly, and refreshing. The initial sip delivers an elegant aroma of white flowers and sweet grapes, which is immediately balanced by the snappy, warming spice of ginger and a sharp, clean citrus finish.
Why is the drink called Chuflay?
The name is a Spanish adaptation of the English railroad term “shoofly,” which means a temporary workaround track. British and American railway workers in Bolivia used local Singani as a “workaround” substitute when they ran out of gin for their highballs.
Is Singani easy to find in the US and UK?
Yes, thanks to the efforts of filmmaker Steven Soderbergh, his brand Singani 63 is widely imported. You can easily find it at major spirits retailers, specialized boutique bottle shops, or online liquor delivery platforms.
Can I make a sugar-free Chuflay?
Absolutely. To enjoy a low-calorie or sugar-free version, simply swap the standard ginger ale or Sprite for a high-quality diet ginger ale, sugar-free lemon-lime soda, or a dry club soda with an extra squeeze of fresh lime.
A Sparkling Andean Classic
The Chuflay is far more than just a quick workaround drink; it is a masterclass in how simple ingredients can create complex, satisfying flavors. By pairing the deeply aromatic, high-altitude essence of Bolivian Singani with the clean snap of ginger and lime, this historic highball easily outshines standard bar options.
Whether you are scanning Google Maps for a trendy local cocktail lounge or mixing one up in your own kitchen, trying this historic highball is a must. Pick up a bottle of Singani, grab some fresh limes, and let this effervescent Andean classic elevate your next sunny afternoon!
