Traditional Dominican Drink Recipes - Complete Guide

As a country set on a tropical island you would expect abundant refreshing traditional Dominican drink recipes, but there's a lot more on offer here.

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Dominican batidas (fruit milkshakes and smoothies)

Of course, we had to start with these. Batidas (batidos in some countries) are blended iced fruit drinks that are very popular in tropical countries, and ours is no exception.

Batidas are very popular Dominicans drinks. We drink them as an afternoon snack, in lieu of dinner, or --accompanied by a delicious cheese sandwich-- as a popular light meal.

Batida de Lechosa Recipe (Papaya Milkshake)

Batida de Lechosa Recipe (Papaya Milkshake): a very popular fruit drink in the Dominican Republic. Any time is a good time for a batida de lechosa.

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Batida de Zapote Recipe (Zapote Milkshake)

Batida de Zapote is one of our favorites, and nothing cools Dominicans in the summer like this creamy smoothie. Try it and you'll love it too!

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Batida de Níspero Recipe (Sapodilla Milkshake)

A lovely, aromatic tropical fruit, with soft and sweet flesh, níspero (sapodilla) is best enjoyed in this refreshing milkshake.

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Batida de Granadillo Recipe (Giant Granadilla Milkshake)

This lovely tropical fruit makes an amazing Batida de Granadillo (Giant Granadilla Milkshake) that we Dominicans love and can never have enough of.

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Dominican vegetable and fruit juices

Fruit juices are a staple of tropical island countries, and ours is no exception. With our wealth of fruit varieties, the options are endless. Enjoy some of our favorite non-alcoholic drinks.

Jugo de Cereza Recipe (Acerola Juice)

Made with one of our favorite tropical fruits, this Jugo de Cereza (Acerola Juice) is very popular and quite a treat for Dominicans, who love its taste and refreshing properties.

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Jugo de Remolacha y Naranja o Limón Recipe (Beet Juice)

A popular combination in the Dominican Republic, and reputed to be highly nutritious, you'll surely enjoy this refreshing, nutritious Jugo de Remolacha y Naranja o Limón (Beet Juice).

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Jugo de Zanahoria y Naranja (Carrot and Orange Juice)

While Jugo de Zanahoria y Naranja (Carrot and Orange Juice) may sound like an unusual combination, it turns out to be a nutritious, refreshing, popular Dominican drink.

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Champola de Tamarindo Recipe (Dominican Tamarind Juice)

Champola de Tamarindo (Tamarind Juice) is a delicious juice with a bit of a sour touch from tamarind that is refreshing and a favorite in the Dominican Republic.

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Ponche de Frutas Recipe (Fruit Punch)

Fruit punch is a classic of Dominican children's birthdays. Here we present you a reinvented version, as well as an option to serve to grownups.

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Champola de Guanábana Recipe (Dominican Soursop Juice)

An obscure fruit that is very popular in our country and most commonly used to make Champola de Guanábana (Dominican Soursop Juice).

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Pera-Piña Recipe (Pineapple and Rice Juice)

Although its name (in Spanish) suggests that Pera-Piña (Pineapple and Rice Drink) is made from pears, in reality, it has been given this name because its taste and texture resembles that of pear juice.

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Dominican milk-based cold drinks

These are some of our most popular traditional Dominican drinks. They are very refreshing and nutritious, and a great choice for kids' snacks.

Morir Soñando Recipe (Dominican Milk and Orange Juice)

Morir Soñando Recipe: (Milk and Orange Juice): It should be the official drink of the Dominican summer. This easy recipe shows how to make it.

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Jugo de Avena Recipe (Oats and Milk Drink)

Jugo de Avena Recipe (Oats and Milk Drink): a refreshing and nutritional beverage, the perfect breakfast drink for the summertime and one of kids' favorites.

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Dominican hot drinks

While cold drinks are more popular in our country, for obvious reasons, we also enjoy warm drinks those days when the weather allows it, or as part of our breakfast or dinner.

Be aware that Dominicans use the word "chocolate" (both chocolate and cocoa in Spanish) to describe a number of cocoa-like hot drinks that may or may not contain chocolate.

Avena Caliente Recipe (Oatmeal and Milk Hot Drink)

Avena Caliente (Oatmeal and Milk Hot Drink) is a nutritional drink that is often served with breakfast when I was a kid. Practical, simple, quick to make, and inexpensive.

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Chocolate de Agua - Recipe & Video (Non Dairy Cocoa)

Chocolate de Agua Recipe (Non Dairy Cocoa): Spiced, aromatic, comforting, and light beverage, perfect for those cool mornings and nights. Love in a cup.

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Chocolate de Maíz Recipe (Roasted Corn 'Cocoa')

Chocolate de Maíz Recipe (Roasted Corn 'Cocoa'): Thick, warm, comforting, it is the perfect drink for weekend breakfast, or to cuddle up to on a cold day.

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Chocolate de Maní Recipe (Dominican Peanut 'Cocoa')

This warm, thick Chocolate de Maní (Peanut 'Cocoa') was a popular tradition in my own family, and very much worth a try. Mornings got better!

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Ponche de Desayuno Recipe (Breakfast Eggnog)

This Ponche de Desayuno (Breakfast Eggnog) is a thick, hearty morning drink, perfect for the cooler days of the year.

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Chocolate con Leche Espeso Recipe (Creamy Spiced Hot Cocoa)

Creamy Spiced Hot Cocoa: An easy, comforting drink perfect to warm our bones during these colder days. A modern version of my mom's classic.

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Dominican tisanes and teas

Teas and tisanes are an important part of the Dominican popular pharmacopeia, and even if they didn't have the properties they are purported to have, they still make lovely, warming beverages.

Tisana de Limón, Menta y Miel Recipe (Lime, Mint & Honey Tisane )

This delicious and bone-warming Tisana de Limón, Menta y Miel (Lime, Mint and Honey Tisane ) is used to alleviate cold and flu symptoms.

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Té de Jengibre Recipe (Dominican Ginger Tea)

Té de Jengibre is one of our delicious Christmas traditions, when temperatures drop, and even in the Dominican Rep. we need a hot drink.

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Dominican alcoholic beverages

Our country is famous for the quality of our rum, and we have some brands of good beer, but there are some homemade alcoholic drinks that are quite popular in our country.

In case you're wondering, the legal drinking age in the Dominican Republic is 18.

Guavaberry Drink and Jam

Guavaberry is a drink that arrived from the British West Indies with immigrants that settled in the D.R. It has become part of our culinary heritage.

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Mandarin Orange Liqueur Recipe

Mandarin Orange Liqueur Recipe: smooth and inspired, a fantastic choice as a digestif for the Christmas dinner, when mandarins are in season.

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Ponche de Ron Recipe (Rum Eggnog)

Ponche de Ron Recipe (Rum Eggnog): A rich, luscious drink with all the taste of Dominican rum, and the spirit of Christmas.

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Dominican fermented drinks

Fermented drinks, which we call mabí or guarapos, are very popular in the Dominican Republic. They are very refreshing, and a great way to cool yourself with some bubbly drinks, and a fantastic alternative to soft drinks. Guarapos are made from fruits (nearly-always homemade), and mabí is made from the bark of a vine called "behuco indio" (Colubrina elliptica). The latter is seldom made at home.

Guarapo de Piña Recipe (Fermented Pineapple Juice)

Guarapo de Piña Recipe (Fermented Pineapple Juice): a bubbly, ice-cold pineapple drink just screams "tropical summer", wether you are in the tropics or not.

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Guarapo de Jagua (Genipa Fermented Drink)

Guarapo de Jagua is a fermented beverage, and one of the most refreshing traditional Dominican drinks, and a great alternative to soft drinks.

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Did you find the recipe you were looking for? Did we miss any? Do you have a favorite? We'd love to hear about it in the comments.

Salud!