Cola de Mono

Cola de mono is a beloved fixture of the Chilean Christmas table, traditionally enjoyed alongside pan de pascua fruitcake and often made in batches and bottled to give as gifts. The origin of its curious name is genuinely disputed, with no scholarly consensus. The leading theories tie it to the Spanish brand Anís del Mono — an anise liquor popular in the Americas whose label depicts a long-tailed monkey, and whose empty bottles were reportedly used to package the drink; to a political pun on President Pedro Montt, who lost the 1901 election to German Riesco, so that the losing candidate's "cola" (tail) — "cola de Montt" — slurred into "cola de mono" (with a related anecdote about Montt's Colt revolver giving "Colt de Montt"); and simply to the dark, monkey-brown color of the milk punch.

Cool, creamy and lightly spiced, it tastes like spiked coffee eggnog with warm notes of cinnamon and clove. The aguardiente lingers gently beneath the sweetness.

Simmering infuses the milk with spice and coffee, while cooling fully before adding the spirit prevents the alcohol and acidity from curdling the milk.