La Makha: Where Every Cocktail Is a Liquid Masterpiece
From its terrace suspended above El Poblado, with a view that embraces Medellín from end to end, La Makha has won over lovers of the good life. Its signature cuisine, elegant atmosphere, and incomparable panoramic view have established it as the best rooftop in Medellín — but there’s one detail no one forgets: its cocktails.
Every drink served at La Makha is a liquid work of art. Inspired by Colombian biodiversity, crafted with technical precision, and designed to harmonize with the surroundings, the restaurant’s cocktails don’t just accompany the food — they tell a story.
And now, that story can continue at home.
In this article, we’ll teach you how to recreate some of La Makha’s signature cocktails, adapted for easy preparation without losing their artisanal spirit and local essence.
Mixology as Part of the Makha Experience
For La Makha’s mixology team, each cocktail is an extension of Chef David Suárez Estrada’s cuisine: technique, local ingredients, and emotion combined.
The ingredients are chosen not only for their flavor, but also for their origin, their color, and their connection to Colombian territory.
“We aim for our cocktails to reflect the essence of Medellín: vibrant, sophisticated, and natural all at once,”
explains the head bartender, Luis Gutiérrez, creator of several of the rooftop’s most iconic drinks.
La Makha’s “liquid menu” is built on three pillars:
- Local flavor: tropical fruits, fresh herbs, and Colombian spirits
- International technique: infusions, macerations, foams, and reductions
- Sensory aesthetics: each drink is designed as a visual work that dialogues with the panoramic view of El Poblado
Cocktail #1 – Makha Sunset: A Sunset in Your Glass
Nothing represents the restaurant’s identity better than the Makha Sunset — a cocktail that captures the colors of Medellín’s sky when the sun sets behind the mountains.
Ingredients:
- 60 ml aged Colombian rum
- 30 ml mandarin liqueur or triple sec
- 25 ml artisanal honey syrup (1 part honey, 1 part hot water)
- 20 ml fresh lemon juice
- 40 ml passion fruit juice
- Ice cubes
- Hibiscus flower foam (optional garnish)
Preparation:
- Add all liquid ingredients and ice to a shaker
- Shake vigorously for 15 seconds
- Strain and serve in a chilled coupe or rocks glass
- Top with hibiscus foam or a dehydrated lemon slice
Experience:
The result is a refreshing, tropical, and sophisticated drink. Its amber-pink color recalls the sunsets that make the rooftop famous.
Perfect pairing with ceviches, tartares, or Mediterranean-fusion dishes.
Makha pro tip: Serve beside a candle or near a window with a view to recreate the rooftop ambiance.
Cocktail #2 – Andino Sour: Elegance at Elevation
Inspired by the classic Pisco Sour, the Andino Sour blends the finesse of citrus with the depth of handcrafted Colombian spirits.
Ingredients:
- 50 ml premium aguardiente (preferably without anise)
- 25 ml fresh lemon juice
- 20 ml panela syrup
- 10 ml pasteurized egg white or aquafaba (optional for texture)
- 3 dashes of Angostura bitters
- Ice
Preparation:
- Add all ingredients to a shaker without ice and shake vigorously to emulsify
- Add ice and shake again for 10 seconds
- Strain into a martini glass or lowball glass
- Garnish with bitters drops or flamed orange peel
Experience:
A silky, elegant cocktail with sweet notes that balance aguardiente’s character.
Ideal for guests who enjoy classic cocktails with Colombian identity and a gourmet touch.
Makha pro tip: Pair with light desserts or “elevated Colombian cuisine” such as lomo in panela sauce.
Cocktail #3 – Valle Verde: Tropical Freshness with an Herbal Soul
Valle Verde represents the connection between nature and the city — an ode to the mountains surrounding Medellín. A cocktail full of freshness: herbs, cucumber, and citrus notes.
Ingredients:
- 45 ml Colombian craft gin
- 25 ml basil or mint liqueur (or homemade herbal syrup)
- 30 ml lemon juice
- 60 ml tonic water or soda
- Cucumber slices, mint leaves, and ice
Preparation:
- In a highball glass, combine gin, liqueur, and lemon juice
- Add ice and top with tonic or soda
- Garnish with thin cucumber slices and a mint bouquet
Experience:
Refreshing, aromatic, and visually elegant. Perfect for sunny afternoons or light dinners at home.
Its herbal and citrus profile evokes La Makha’s fresh rooftop vibe — especially when the El Poblado breeze arrives at sunset.
Makha pro tip: Serve in a clear glass to highlight its bright green color and add a pinch of sea salt to enhance the flavor.
Cocktail #4 – Noche de Cacao: Sweetness and Sophistication
For lovers of intense flavors, Noche de Cacao blends the pleasure of chocolate with the strength of Colombian coffee. A drink inspired by the restaurant’s desserts — ideal to end the evening.
Ingredients:
- 40 ml dark rum or Colombian whisky
- 25 ml cacao liqueur or chocolate cream
- 30 ml freshly made espresso
- 10 ml heavy cream
- Cacao nibs or grated chocolate for garnish
Preparation:
- Combine all ingredients except the cream in a shaker with ice
- Shake for 15 seconds and strain into a martini glass
- Gently float the cream on top
- Garnish with cacao nibs or an edible flower
Experience:
A liquid dessert: creamy, seductive, and perfect for enjoying the nighttime views over Medellín.
Makha pro tip: Chill your glasses beforehand and serve with a coffee- or vanilla-scented candle.
The Spirit Behind Every Drink
Beyond the recipes, each La Makha cocktail reflects its philosophy: flavor with identity, sophistication with local soul.
Bartenders work with regional producers to source fresh fruit, honey, herbs, and high-quality panela. Mixology becomes a bridge between countryside and city — between tradition and modernity.
These are not just drinks, but sensory experiences that transport guests to the heart of the rooftop — even from home.
“We want every cocktail to be a liquid story — a memory of the landscape, the music, and the emotion you feel at La Makha,” says Gutiérrez.
How to Recreate the Makha Atmosphere at Home
Preparing the cocktails is only part of the charm — the setting matters too.
Here are some tips to create your own Makha moment at home:
- Warm lighting: candles or soft light to simulate Medellín’s sunset
- Music: downtempo, Latin jazz, or contemporary soul playlists like the rooftop atmosphere
- Artisan glassware: use designed or handmade Colombian pieces
- View and company: enjoy your drink on a terrace or balcony, looking at the city or sky
- Attitude: more than drinking, enjoy the process — mix, taste, adjust, share
That is the essence of La Makha.
At La Makha, mixology isn’t a complement — it’s an expression of art and territory.
Each drink reflects what defines the restaurant: creativity, elegance, local flavor, and an emotional connection with Medellín.
Now, with these recipes, you can bring part of that magic home — feel the mood of the best rooftop in El Poblado and enjoy the perfect balance between tradition, modernity, and taste.
Visit La Makha to live the full experience and discover the inspiration behind each cocktail. Or make them at home and toast to the art, the view, and the elevated flavor of Medellín.
