Where to Drink Singani, A Bolivian Spirit New to DC

This spirit is new to the city and popping up on D.C. bar menus.

by Tim Ebner Oct 1, 2015, 4:15pm EDT

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by Tim Ebner Oct 1, 2015, 4:15pm EDT

There's a new spirit sweeping across D.C., and a lot of bars and restaurants are starting to take notice. That spirit is Singani, a traditional Bolivian alcohol, which has a light, floral taste and is relatively easy in drinkability compared to other popular spirits, like whiskey or gin.

Singani is new to D.C. but it's actually a very traditional Bolivian spirit that's been produced for about 500 years in the Andes Valley region. It's often considered the national drink of choice for Bolivians, and it comes from the Muscat of Alexandria grapes, grown in higher elevations, some 6,000 ft. above sea level.

"Singani is pretty simple. It involves no other ingredients. It’s just a distilled grape," says Ramon Escobar, the founder of Chufly Imports, who imports a particular brand of Singani to Washington D.C., known as Rujero. "The grapes are not particularly bold or unique, but when they're grown at that high elevation, the flavor of the grape changes. It helps to produce a floral and aromatic taste."

Singani was originally born from the Spanish conquest. Jesuit monasteries in Bolivia kept vineyards, where the grape was grown. Winemaking eventually turned into distilling, and now several hundred years later bodegas are still producing the spirit, some from the same grapevines. Escobar says the fermentation process only takes a few weeks to produce Singani.

"This spirit has a special place in a lot of peoples’ hearts," Escobar says. "This is not a mass produced spirit, and it's relatively hard to find in the United States. Bolivians love it and people in D.C. are starting to take notice too."

For Escobar, the drink resonates with his family and heritage. His father hails from Bolivia, and right now Escobar is working with Bolivian families to produce textile bags that act as carrying cases for the bottle.

"The first alcohol I had was [Singani] Rujero," Escobar says. "This is one of those products that Bolivians can be proud of, and one that bartenders in D.C. are gravitating towards."

There are more than a dozen bars in D.C. that carry the spirit. You can also find the Singani for sale in a few specialty liquor stores. This Eater map identifies just a few of the bars putting their own spin on the spirit with unique cocktails.

A photo posted by RUJERO SINGANI (@chuflyimports) on Sep 23, 2015 at 5:01pm PDT

A & D Neighborhood Bar

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A&D fixes Singani in a special Sazerac cocktail that can be ordered on request.

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1314 9th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

(202) 290-1804

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Batch 13

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Batch 13 is one of the more reliable liquor stores in town selling Singani Rujero. Bottles retail for $35.

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1724 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

(202) 483-0214

BOURBON STEAK DC

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The Bolvianita is a Singani‬ cocktail with celery bitters, turmeric, white grape juice, and lime juice.

2800 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20007

(202) 944-2026

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Compass Rose

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At Compass Rose, Singani is being used in a cocktail called "From the Andes to the Amazon." The drink is a mix of Rujero, Lillet Blank and Dolin Vermouth.

1346 T St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

(202) 506-4765

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Dram and Grain

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Meanwhile, beneath Jack Rose at the basement bar, Dram & Grain, Singani is being used to make a boozy cocktail with sherry, Leopold, Madeira, and bitters.

2007 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

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Jack Rose Dining Saloon

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At Jack Rose, Singani adds a twist to a classic cocktail, The Bolivardier with Campari, Carpano Antica, and orange bitters.

2007 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

(202) 588-7388

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Lupo Verde

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Lupo Verde takes Singani and fashions it into a Negroni.

1401 T St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

(202) 827-4726

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Marvin

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Marvin mixes singani into a cocktail with peach-cinnamon syrup, lemon juice, and apple bitters.

2007 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

(202) 797-7171

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McClellan's Retreat

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Singani cocktails can be made on request at McClellan's Retreat. The bar recently used the spirit in their Trinidad Sour.

2031 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

(202) 265-6270

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Oyamel Cocina Mexicana

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Ask for the Rujero Sour at Oyamel. The cocktail features singani, egg white, lime, and cardamon bitters.

401 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

(202) 628-1005

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Quill

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The "Singani Bol" mixes singani with Cardamaro, Averna, simple syrup, andAngostura bitters.

1200 16th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

(202) 448-2300

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Slipstream

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SlipstreamSlipstream offers three different Singani Rujero cocktails, and the bar serves a standing happy hour drink, called "The Bolivian," with Singani, lavender bitters, lemon, and soda water for $7

1333 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005

(202) 450-2216

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The Gibson

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The Gibson was one of the first bars in DC to get its hand on Singani Rujero. Their "Door to the Left" cocktail features Singani with sherry, grappa, and Benedictine.

2009 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20003

(202) 232-2156

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