Aquafaba – What Is it and How Is it Used to Make Cocktails? 

If you’re new to the world of cocktails, you might have come across a strange word – ‘aquafaba’ – when exploring cocktail recipes. Hmmm, aquafaba. 

So, what exactly is it?  

In this article, we’ll delve into what aquafaba is, why it’s used and its applications in cocktails. Let’s go! 

Aqua-what? 

Aquafaba is made from the water or brine produced from cooked chickpeas. Or as Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador Rico explains, “Aquafaba is quite simply the cooking liquid from cooking chickpeas.”

In the world of cocktails, it’s used as a substitute for egg white. It works particularly well when making sours, such as the Whiskey Sour, Gin Fizz, Pisco Sour, Gin Sours. In brief, using aquafaba is a great way to achieve a frothy head in cocktails without using egg whites. 

And yes, aquafaba is vegan, making it the perfect substitute for egg whites. 

Where to buy aquafaba and how to make it 

The easiest place to find chickpeas is your local supermarket. But any store that sells chickpeas (raw, canned or in a carton) will do. 

The quickest way to make aquafaba is to use a can or carton of cooked chickpeas. Simply strain the can or carton of chickpeas and the water/brine that’s the chickpeas are sitting in is, in fact, aquafaba.  

You can also prepare and make your own aquafaba. Watch Rico soak, prepare and cook raw chickpeas to make aquafaba. 

Making your own aquafaba is easy but it takes some time since you’ll need to soak raw chickpeas overnight so that they hydrate. 

How long can you keep aquafaba?
You can keep aquafaba in the fridge for about 5-7 days. We recommend storing it in a clear glass jar with a lid.  

Can you freeze aquafaba, you ask? You can indeed. In fact, aquafaba can be stored frozen for about 3 months. 

How and why is aquafaba used in cocktails?
Aquafaba is used in cocktails as a substitute for egg whites. It will give your drink a wonderful frothy head much the same as egg whites. Trust us! 

One of the best examples of how aquafaba can be used in a cocktail is the Whiskey Sour. Be sure to check out our video where Rico shows how to make a dairy-free Whiskey Sour using aquafaba.

Why does aquafaba work in cocktails?
“The reason why it works is because the complex proteins that you find in egg white you will also find in beans and in bean cooking liquid. All those proteins end up in here and once you reduce them you have that same effect,” explains Rico.  

Want to learn more about aquafaba? Watch this video