Curacao: Chobolobo Cocktail Workshop & Distillery Tasting

Summary

Historic distillery tour with cocktail mixing and local liqueur flavors

You’ll taste Curaçao’s famous liqueurs right where they’re made, mix your own tropical cocktails in a sunlit garden with locals guiding you, and hear stories you won’t find online. Expect laughter over shaky shakers, unexpected flavors, and a bit of history woven into every sip.

What’s the experience like?

I almost missed the entrance to Landhuis Chobolobo because I was busy trying to pronounce “Laraha” under my breath (Li laughed when I tried it later — apparently my Dutch is as bad as my Mandarin). The old blue-and-white mansion looked sleepy in the late morning sun, but inside, the place buzzed. Our guide, Maritza, greeted us with a welcome drink that tasted like oranges and something else I couldn’t place. She told us it’s only found on Curaçao — the “Golden Orange.” I kept sniffing it, hoping I’d remember that smell back home.

The distillery itself felt like stepping into someone’s family kitchen if their family made world-famous Blue Curaçao. Maritza walked us through barrels and glass bottles lined up like soldiers. She explained how the Senior family started all this — apparently everything here is kosher, which I didn’t expect. The machines were humming softly, and for a second I just watched sunlight flicker on the copper stills while she talked about how they extract flavors from those stubborn bitter peels. It smelled sweet and sharp at the same time — not what I thought liqueur would smell like at all.

Out in the garden (“Hòfi”, Maritza called it), we met Alex, who looked way too happy for someone surrounded by bottles before noon. He handed me a tiny glass of something bright green and told me to guess which fruit it was. No idea — turns out it was tamarind mixed with one of their liqueurs. Alex showed us how to shake cocktails properly (I definitely splashed some on my shirt) and let everyone invent their own mix. Mine came out kind of purple? Not sure that was supposed to happen but hey, it tasted good. We took photos of our drinks in front of these wild blue doors — honestly, I still think about that color sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Discover and mix Curaçao cocktails

• Explore Genuine Curaçao Liqueur Distillery
• Learn about Laraha and Senior family history
• Visit kosher production area
• Meet local bartender in historic garden
• Taste unique liqueur flavors
• Learn cocktail mixing techniques
• Make your own signature cocktail
• Take photos of your cocktail

Top questions

Is the Chobolobo Cocktail Workshop wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces at Chobolobo are wheelchair accessible.

How many cocktails do you make during the workshop?

The workshop includes two cocktails you make yourself plus tastings and a welcome drink.

Where is the Chobolobo Distillery located?

The distillery is at Landhuis Chobolobo in Curaçao.

What is Laraha or Golden Orange?

Laraha is a bitter but aromatic orange unique to Curaçao used in making Genuine Curaçao Liqueur.

Are there any food pairings or meals included?

No meals are included; only cocktails and liqueur tastings are provided during the workshop.

Is this suitable for people with limited fitness or mobility?

Yes, the workshop is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

How long does the cocktail workshop last?

The exact duration isn’t specified but expect enough time for a guided tour, tastings, and cocktail mixing.

What’s included

Your day includes a welcome cocktail on arrival at Chobolobo mansion, guided tastings of several unique liqueur flavors straight from the distillery shelves, plus two hands-on cocktails you’ll mix yourself in small groups before heading home — maybe with sticky fingers or a new favorite recipe.