Salpicón (fruit cocktail) is Colombia’s most popular refreshing snack. In this post, I’ll show you how to make it at home, packed with all its traditional ingredients, vibrant, colorful tropical fruits, delicious juice, sweet soda, and that authentic touch. It’s super easy to prepare and ready in no time!
Jump to RecipeHaz clic en Salpicón de Frutas Colombiano para la receta en español.
Reasons why you’ll love this recipe:
- It’s a tried-and-true household favorite; the giant pitcher in our fridge is always gone in no time!
- It’s based on the traditional Colombian salpicón from the streets of Bogotá, allowing you to make an authentic version at home that your whole family will love.
- In this post, you’ll find plenty of tips to customize the recipe and adjust it to your taste.
What is salpicón (Colombian fruit cocktail)?
Colombian salpicón de frutas is found everywhere on the streets of Colombia. It’s a fruit cocktail, both a drink and a dessert in one, and the perfect snack for a hot afternoon. Made with fresh fruit juice, a splash of soda (called Colombiana), and a mix of the finest chopped fruits, it’s always served with a straw and a spoon or fork.
What fruits go into a salpicón?
That’s the fun part: it varies from vendor to vendor. The most common options are a combination of papaya, pineapple, banana, apple, melon, watermelon, grapes, mango, and strawberries. But you can definitely choose whatever is available, budget-friendly, or in season near you. You can, for example, consider peaches, plums, pears, or passion fruit!
The juice and soda base
In most of the salpicones I’ve tried, orange juice serves as the base. However, you can also use a blend of orange juice and another fruit juice. Traditionally, a splash of soda is added—specifically Colombiana. For Colombians, this soda needs no introduction, but if you haven’t had the pleasure of trying it yet, it has a unique fruity flavor (similar to bubblegum), and an ice-cold glass is a true guilty pleasure.
Salpicón (Fruit Cocktail) with ice cream: yes or no?
The age-old question: salpicón with or without ice cream? In our house, opinions are split: I’m on team ice cream, while my boyfriend is on team no ice cream. On the streets of Bogotá, it’s often served without it. However, in the ice cream shops of warm towns near Bogotá, it usually comes with a scoop or two of your favorite ice cream. My personal favorite is salpicón with vanilla ice cream—it slowly melts into the fruit cocktail, turning it into a deliciously creamy treat!
Ingredients
This is a traditional version. It features papaya, pineapple, mango, banana, apple, strawberry, and watermelon. The base is orange juice, and of course, a glass of Colombiana soda is a must!
How to make Colombian salpicón
Chop the fruit and put it in a pitcher, add the juice and soda, and mix very well. Let it chill in the fridge and serve ice-cold in a large glass with a straw and a spoon. It’s a super easy dessert or snack that you can prepare in advance.
Salpicón (Colombian fruit cocktail) variations:
- Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream (salpicón con helado).
- Drizzle sweetened condensed milk over the salpicón de frutas.
- Skip the Colombiana soda and mix your two favorite fruit juices instead.
- Serve it with a cookie on the side.
- For those living in less tropical parts of the world: choose fruits locally available to you, like peaches, plums, pears, or cherries.
You might also like
Cholado (Colombian Icy Fruit Cocktail)
Colombian Lulada (Lulo Fruit Drink)
Limonada de Panela (Colombian Sugarcane Limeade)
Green Mango Popsicles (Paletas de Mango Biche)
Do you love this recipe? Give it a 5-star rating below and leave me a comment! Or tag @vecinavegetariana on Instagram. You can also pin this recipe now and make it later!
Salpicón (Colombian Fruit Cocktail)
Equipment
- 1 large pitcher (over 2 liters / 67 fl oz)
Ingredients
The fruit (peeled and diced)
- 300 g watermelon (aprox. 2 cups)
- 1 ripe mango
- 300 g papaya (approx. 2 cups)
- 300 g pineapple (approx. 2 cups)
- 200 g strawberries (approx. 1.5 cups)
- 1 apple
- 2 bananas
The liquids
- 750 ml orange juice (25 fl oz)
- 250 ml Colombiana soda (8 fl oz)
To serve (optional)
- vanilla ice cream
- condensed milk
- cookies
Instructions
- Add the fruit to the pitcher: Add all the peeled and diced fruit to a large pitcher (at least 2 liters / 67 fl oz capacity)
- Mix with the liquids: Pour in the orange juice and Colombiana soda, and gently stir to combine
- Chill: Place the pitcher in the fridge and cool thoroughly for at least one hour
- Serve: Pour into large glasses and serve with a straw and a spoon or fork
- Finishing touch (optional): Top with a scoop of ice cream or a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk to taste
