While France has champagne and Portugal has Port, Curaçao is famous for its Blue Curaçao, which is produced and bottled right on the island at Landhuis Chobolobo, home of the distillery that manifactures the genuine Curaçao liqueur.
Landhuis Chobolobo is a historic plantation house located on the island of Curaçao. The house was built in the early 19th century and is home to the famous Blue Curaçao Liqueur, which is still made using the original recipe from the beginning time.
The Curaçao Liqueur Distillery is located near Willemstad and offers tours to visitors who want to learn more about how the drink is made. In this blog post, we will explore the history of the (Blue) Curaçao liqueur, the process of making it, what visitors can expect from a distillery tour
What is Curaçao liqueur?
The Curaçao liqueur has a distinct orange flavor and is commonly used as a mixer in tropical cocktails. It comes in various colors, and Blue Curaçao is the most famous one. The liqueur is made from the dried peel of the laraha citrus fruit, which is native to the island of Curaçao in the Caribbean.
The Laraha fruit is a bitter citrus fruit that is native to Curaçao, The fruit has been brought to the island by the Spanish who attempted to grow the Valencia oranges, but the arid climate of the island did not favor the growth of the fruit. Instead, the trees produced a small, bitter fruit that was not edible. The fruit was discarded, but the peel was found to have a nice scented aroma.
How is it made?
The discovery of the aromatic peel did not go unnoticed. Someone soon discovered that by drying the peel of the Laraha fruit, you could produce an oil that had a lovely orange-like scented aroma. This oil was later used by the Senior family to make a liqueur that would become world-renowned: the Curaçao Liqueur.
The secret of the Curaçao Liqueur lies in the unique combination of sweet and bitter orange flavors that come from the dried Laraha peel. The peel is carefully dried and soaked in alcohol, and then mixed with sugar and other flavorings to create a liqueur that has a delightful orange taste.
Also read: A Full Guide to the famous Blue Curaçao Liqueur
Learn About the Production of the Curaçao Liqueur
The Curaçao Liqueur Distillery at Landhuis Chobolobo offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into the history and production of the genuine Curaçao liqueur. This popular tourist attraction is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in learning more about the traditional method of making this Curaçao founded drink.
During your tour at the distillery, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the impressive family business behind the Senior & Co brand, which has been producing Curaçao liqueur for generations. You’ll discover the secrets behind the authentic taste of the genuine Curaçao liqueur and get a firsthand look at the production process.
This tourist attraction takes you through the manufacturing process from orange peel to bottle. All intermediate steps can be viewed in detail, showing you that the Curaçao liqueur is indeed a very authentic product.
Explore the Landhuis Chobolobo Estate
Aside from the distillery itself, the Landhuis Chobolobo estate is also worth exploring. This historic building dates back to the early 19th century and was built as a country estate. Today, it houses the Curaçao Liqueur Distillery and a charming gift shop where you can purchase bottles of the famous Curaçao liqueur to take home with you.
Tour the Genuine Curaçao Liqueur Distillery
One of the most popular activities at Landhuis Chobolobo is taking a guided tour of the Curaçao liqueur distillery. During the tour, visitors can learn about the history and production process of the authentic Curaçao liqueur. The knowledgeable guide will take you through the entire distillation process, from the selection of the orange peels to the bottling of the final product.
Participate in a Cocktail Workshop
If you are a cocktail enthusiast, you will love the cocktail workshop at Landhuis Chobolobo. This hands-on workshop will teach you how to create tasty cocktails using Curaçao liqueur. You will learn the techniques and secrets behind the perfect blend of flavors, so you will get the opportunity to create your own signature cocktail.
Taste and Buy Curaçao Liqueur
For those who want to savor the authentic taste of Curaçao liqueur, Landhuis Chobolobo offers the perfect opportunity. Visitors can sample a variety of flavors, including the original blue, Triple sec, and coffee. If you fall in love with the flavor, you can purchase a bottle from the gift shop to take home as a souvenir.
Explore the estate on Your Own
If you prefer to explore at your own pace, you can take a self-guided tour of the grounds. The visit to the manor house and distillery is free, and you can wander around the estate, take pictures of the vibrant surroundings, and enjoy the tranquility of the estate.
Book Your Experience at Landhuis Chobolobo
Are you interested in booking a guided tour or cocktail workshop? You can make a reservation through the Landhuis Chobolobo website, and get to know more about Curaçao’s most famous drink.
You can also participate in an island tour that will take you to the Curaçao Liqueur Distillery and various other attractions. This way you can enjoy several sights that the beautiful island of Curaçao has to offer.
You can book this island tour through Viator. By booking the tour, using the link below, you will support Exploring Curaçao at no extra cost to you. Viator is a Tripadvisor company and we earn a small commission per booking.
Visit the Curaçao Liqueur Distillery at Landhuis Chobolobo
The Curaçao Liqueur Distillery at Landhuis Chobolobo is a must-visit destination for those interested in learning about the production of the famous Curaçao liqueur. The distillery offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into the history and traditional method of making the liqueur.
I can wholeheartedly recommend visiting Landhuis Chobolobo if you like to get acquainted with a unique Curaçao made product. Taking a tour and bringing a bottle of the genuine Curaçao liqueur home will create a valuable story to share with your friends and loved ones.
