Thirsty Thursdays: Drinking Mocochinchi in downtown La Paz in Bolivia. Loving it!
I had never heard of Mocochinchi before arriving in Bolivia in 2010. In fact, it was only my curiosity while walking round the streets of La Paz that I decided I had to buy one and try it. In the end I loved it and went back for more. It’s a refreshing drink, which you can buy in market stalls in downtown La Paz. I have to assume you can buy it in other places in Bolivia but La Paz was the only place I saw it (I also visited Potosi and Uyuni and spent a night in Santa Cruz de la Sierra).
What is Mocochinchi??
It’s a sweet drink made with water, peach, sugar and cinnamon. Though there may be several variants in it. The peach is left to stay in the drink until it is ready. It’s a Bolivian speciality.
What my glass of mocochinchi looked like in the market stalls in La Paz, Bolivia
Where in La Paz can you get Mocochinchi?
Street side markets, or make it yourself. It’s not really on menus in restaurants. Some of the very locals cafes and bars might have them, but stick to buying it by the side of the road from market stalls. I got mine in the downtown area right opposite the prominent church Iglesia de San Francisco (you might be able to tell that if you watch the video below).
Central La Paz waiting while the locals prepare the Mocochinchi at the street side stalls.
What does Mocochinchi taste like?
It’s sweet and delicious. I thought it tastes like clove or cinnamon but yet it is made from peeled and dried peaches. It’s non alcoholic and yes, drinking Mocochinchi tastes good and helps prevent soroche (altitude sickness).
The line of Mocochinchis in La Paz waiting to be sold.
How much does Mocochinchi cost?
Drinking Mocochinchi in Bolivia will save you money. Stay off the beer and drink this stuff! For 1 Boliviana you can get a massive glass in the downtown area. You hang around and sit with the street sellers to drink it, but it’s so cheap, you have to love it if you’re a budget traveller.
Chat away to the locals as they prepare your Mocochinchi in Bolivia – market stalls in La Paz.
So that’s it for today – if you are ever in La Paz in Bolivia, please try Mocochinchi – it’s cheap, sweet and good for your health. Plus the locals that serve it are so friendly. I chatted away to them every time I popped by for a drink. Plus La Paz is a fantastic city – I loved it!
Don’t forget it’s a thirsty Thursdays with a view. La Paz is a city embedded into the mountains. This is the view from my Mocochinchi!
A Video of me Trying Mocochinchi in Bolivia (in the markets of La Paz):
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Thanks for your comment, next time try peanut chicha, non alcoholic sweet drink, delicious and if cold Api also sweet made from purple and white corn.
Bolivian gastronomy is a well kept secret, we have the most delicious, healthy cuisine.
Hi Criolla, thanks for the comment and apologies for the delay in response. The blog and I have been going through serious mid life crisis and depression, caused (not by me of course) by a serial liar and a Guru God wannabe. Yes Bolivia was great – thanks for the tips. Stay safe. Jonny