Buenos Aires, drink by drink: 19 cocktails that are trending

The flagship cocktail of El Limón in Villa Crespo is a creation by Lucas López Dávalo, a bartender with more than 20 years of experience. With vodka, passion fruit, red fruits, and rooibos, it is one of the most requested for its freshness and versatility. "The acidity of the passion fruit and red fruits complement each other perfectly, and the vanilla notes add complexity. The foam that forms when served is delicious," the bar explains.

Where: Castillo 590, Villa Crespo.

This local version of the classic European cocktail combines Gin, Campari, Bianco vermouth, pastry dulce de leche, milk, and a Malbec bitter. It is crowned with a dulce de leche essence HoneyComb and activated charcoal. From Trade Sky Bar, they explain that this cocktail condenses the best of two worlds: Italian heritage and Argentine flavors. The result is a sophisticated, well-porteño bomb, perfect for enjoying from the heights of the downtown area.

Where: Avenida Corrientes 222, Microcentro.

Tres Monos doesn’t need an introduction: it was ranked #7 in the world by 50 Best Bars and continues to elevate local cocktails with innovation and skill. Their Martini Criollo is a local twist on the classic: Tres Monos Gin, artisanal vermouth, tomato, peppers, and scallion. Vegetal, umami, and full of personality.

Where: Guatemala 4899, Palermo.

This cocktail inevitably evokes Britney Spears' iconic song. With white rum, lime, pineapple, passion fruit, and simple syrup, it offers a fruity, sweet, and citrusy profile. At Uptown, a bar inspired by New York's underground scene, it is chosen for its pop and laid-back vibe, perfect for the vibrant atmosphere of the place. "The tropical freshness of passion fruit and pineapple, combined with the nostalgia of Britney, makes it unique," they explain from this hotspot.

Where: Arévalo 2030, Palermo.

“The Cosa Nostra is our flagship cocktail due to its elegant and dark imprint, which merges Italian tradition with the clandestine air of the 1930s,” says the legendary Nicky Harrison bar.

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With coffee- and raisin-infused Grappa, red Bitter, Antica Formula, Hesperidina, and almond milk foam, this cocktail evokes the spirit of the speakeasies. It is served with amarettis and candied orange, adding a sophisticated layer of flavor.

Where: Malabia 1764, Palermo.

“The Vin Doux is an elegant, balanced cocktail, with sweet, fruity, and citrus notes, and a peculiar touch of aloe vera,” describes Laura Pichel, bar manager at Cauce in Puerto Madero. The drink combines Tullamore Dew, Rutini Vin Doux wine, elderflower syrup, aloe vera, dry vermouth, lime juice, and quinoto. This creation is part of a drink menu designed by renowned bartender Mona Gallosi, who inspired her cocktails by earth, wind, fire, and air elements.

Where: Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 440, Puerto Madero.

Renowned Mona Gallosi owns Punto Mona, and she has chosen "Gaucho" as the signature cocktail of her bar. This sophisticated creation combines the depth of Johnnie Walker Black with the herbal and citrus notes of lemon balm and the subtle sweetness of a fortified Rosso. "It’s a twist on the classic Old Fashioned, and the result is a balanced drink with character, reflecting the mastery and innovative vision of its creator in the art of cocktail-making," Gallosi highlights.

Where: Fraga 93, Chacarita.

Mixtape, the first kissa bar in Buenos Aires, stands out for its sound experience on the terrace of the Haiku restaurant. Among its signature cocktails, the Apple Martini is a classic. "It merges the purity of vodka with the aromatic complexity of Granny Smith apple cordial and a subtle touch of elderflower," explains Brenda Asís, head bartender.

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The Apple Martini offers a sophisticated and refreshing experience, ideal for accompanying the music at this bar inspired by historic Japanese kissaten. Its design, with a DJ booth as the focal point, creates a unique atmosphere where mixology and music come together.

Where: Franklin D. Roosevelt 1806, Belgrano.

BAGA, an elegant space within the Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, offers luxurious cocktails and a sophisticated aesthetic. Their marble bar is the perfect stage to enjoy signature cocktails and classics. The Adventurous Archer, the venue's signature cocktail, is inspired by the Sagittarius zodiac sign. "With tropical flavors given by spiced rum and natural pineapple, orange, mango, and passion fruit juices, it represents the free and adventurous spirit of Sagittarius," explains Pablo Naudeau, head bartender at BAGA.

Where: Av. del Libertador 4101, Palermo.

Located in the Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta, Felicia Bar combines the charm of art deco with a high-end cocktail proposal. The menu, designed by bartender Mona Gallosi and executed by Agustina Vigo, changes with each season.

Felicia's signature cocktail, Hardy, is a reinterpretation of the classic Aperol Spritz, a favorite during after-office hours. It features Pisco, Chandon sparkling wine, raspberry-infused Aperol, pineapple oleo, and soda. Agustina Vigo explains why it remains on the menu: “The Hardy offers a more sophisticated experience than the traditional Aperol Spritz, with sweet notes of coconut and raspberry, while preserving the freshness of the classic—elevating its flavor to a new level.”

Where: Posadas 1232, Recoleta.

Casa Cavia's clarified Bloody Mary has been on the menu for seven years and remains a hit. The secret is in the juice: a proprietary recipe based on tomatoes and grilled vegetables (such as carrot, celery, and beetroot), which is clarified to maintain the classic flavor but with a lighter, more elegant texture. “This way, we ensure it tastes the same all year round, without losing intensity,” explains Flavia Arroyo, head bartender and creative soul of the restaurant. A timeless cocktail, with technique and character, perfect for those who love a Bloody Mary but want a more refined twist.

Where: Cavia 2985, Palermo.

OLDFA is the signature cocktail of Sofá and a modern take on the classic Old Fashioned. It contains bourbon whiskey infused with peanut butter (through a vacuum fat wash), Palomino Fino sherry, Yacaratiá syrup, mushroom bitters, and roasted cacao. The result: a complex drink with notes of nuts, coffee, and caramel, a silky texture, and a concentrated aroma. A sensory bomb that plays with earthiness, bitterness, and umami.

Where: Av. Dorrego 1301, Chacarita.

Secuaz's signature cocktail reinterprets the classic Collins with white rum infused with coconut sous vide, banana saccharum oleo, and cold-brewed cacao nib soda infused with CO2. Sweet, fruity, and slightly bitter, it's fresh, aromatic, and balanced. It is served with a banana macaron made from cocktail waste: flavor and sustainability in one glass.

Where: Pedro Morán 3782, Villa Devoto.

At Costa7070, the signature cocktail is Parque Leloir: Cantieri Navali Desierto vermouth, Verivice malbec and eucalyptus, shiso, and Sauvignon blanc. Inés de los Santos —mixologist and the creative mind behind the place along with chef Pedro Bergero— designed it as a nod to the landscape. "When I began designing the restaurant, inspired by the Balearic Islands and the Mediterranean Sea, the first thing I envisioned was the garden. And I was just working on the drink menu," she shares. Parque Leloir, the western Buenos Aires neighborhood that honors Carlos Thays, served as inspiration: "It has an islet designed by him and many eucalyptus trees, which is where the green touch in the cocktail comes from."

Where: Av. Costanera Rafael Obligado 7070.

The Bees Knees at Boticario is a must-try and is made with Salvador gin, lemon, and honey. "We make it with our own Salvador gin, which is crafted with 10 Argentine medicinal botanicals that give it that vibrant green color. It's a cocktail with a citrus and herbal profile," reveals Florentina Blanco, Boticario's bartender.

"We chose the Bees Knees because we didn't want the perfect serve to just be a gin and tonic, which seemed like the easiest option. So, after testing several classic gin cocktails, we found that the Bees Knees pairs very well with our gin and has been very well received by the public. The honey enhances the herbal notes of our gin, and we garnish it with rosemary, an aromatic herb that also elevates it," adds Blanco.

Where: Honduras 5207, Palermo.

Bartender Diego Zelaya created a fresh and sensory cocktail menu designed to complement the bold flavors of Asian and Peruvian cuisine at Fabric Sushi Dragón Blanco and Tigre Morado. The cocktail list, which incorporates infusions and handmade syrups, is based on spirits like whiskey, pisco, sake, gin, and vodka, fused with regional ingredients such as lychee, miso, wasabi, ume (Chinese plum), huacatay, yellow chili, and chicha morada, offering a sensory experience that awakens the palate.

The Wasabi Gimlet, the signature drink on the menu, is a fusion of gin with a handmade wasabi and lime cordial, balancing the botanical elegance of the gin with the aromatic spiciness of wasabi and the refreshing acidity of lime. The result is a sophisticated and bold drink, ideal for those looking for a contrasting and memorable flavor experience.

Where: Av. Costanera Rafael Obligado 185, North Coast.

At Kōnā Corner, Narda Lepes' project with a bar run by Inés de los Santos, the standout cocktail is the Kiiro To Aka No Ume. It contains Tanqueray gin with umeboshi, plum juice, rica rica syrup, Luxardo Maraschino, and a touch of red furikake powder. "We redesigned the most popular cocktails in Japan," says Inés about this menu that blends precision, travel, and Japanese whimsy. And attention: Kōnā is the first bar in Buenos Aires to offer omakase cocktails. Yes, a tasting menu... but liquid.

Where: Mcal. Antonio José de Sucre 696, Belgrano.

Behind Cacho Panchería, La Uat is the most under-the-radar retrofuturistic bar in Palermo. DJs, psychedelic lights, and cocktails with character set the pace for the night. Their emblematic drink, La Uatafak, combines Gin Tres Monos, apple, pear, sandalwood, and cedron. Fresh, herbal, and with a party fragrance.

Where: Thames 1627, Palermo.

At Víctor Audio Bar, the new listening bar in Palermo created by the teams behind Tres Monos and Niño Gordo, the Martini is the star attraction. Among all its versions, the Pornstar Martini stands out: a vibrant mix of Smirnoff vodka, passion fruit, vanilla, passion fruit liqueur, and a touch of Chandon Extra Brut. Tropical, creamy, and bubbly, it's a full-on show from the first sip.

Where: Soler 5130, Palermo.