Terremoto (beverage) facts for kids
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Two varieties of terremoto as served in La Piojera in Santiago, Chile
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| Type | Wine cocktail |
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The Terremoto is a special traditional Chilean drink. Its name means "earthquake" in Spanish! It became popular after a big earthquake in Chile in 1985. Many places claim to have invented it, but it's now a very famous drink in Chilean culture, especially in bars like La Piojera and El Hoyo.
This unique drink is usually made with a type of white Chilean wine called Pipeño, mixed with yummy pineapple ice cream and a splash of grenadine syrup.
What is a Terremoto?
A traditional Terremoto is served in a large glass, about 400 ml. If you have a second, smaller glass after the first, it's sometimes called a Réplica (which means "aftershock"). A very large pitcher is known as a Cataclismo (a huge disaster!). A smaller glass served by itself is called a Temblor (a small tremor). There's even a version made with red wine, which is known as an Africano or Terremoto Africano.
How Terremoto Got Its Name
The most popular story about the name comes from the El Hoyo bar-restaurant. After the 1985 earthquake in Chile, some reporters from Germany visited the bar. They quickly drank this new beverage. One of them felt a bit wobbly when he stood up and exclaimed, "This really is an earthquake!" And that's how the drink supposedly got its famous name.
A Taste of Chilean History
Chile has a long history of sweetening wines. This tradition goes back to the time when Chile was a Spanish colony. Over time, people started adding things like egg frosting or fruits to their drinks.
In the 1960s and 1970s, a drink called "punch" with added fruit and pineapple ice cream became very popular in some bars in Santiago. By the 1970s, it was common for people in Chile to add pineapple ice cream to some wines, especially during celebrations at the end of the year. Bars like La Piojera in downtown Santiago were known for serving this drink even before 1985.
See also
In Spanish: Terremoto (bebida) para niños
