It’s official: not only is Argentina, nay, Buenos Aires, home to the best cocktail bar in South America, it’s also home to a watering hole anointed this year’s legend.

This is according to the World’s 50 Best Bars, whose annual rankings were revealed at a glitzy ceremony for 1,600 in Madrid in October. While there are other industry-specific lists, such as Tales of the Cocktails and Top 500 Bars, 50 Best is a benchmark for hospitality accolades thanks to an ample geographical voting spread as well as gender- and industry-balanced panels.

I write with something akin to motherly pride — as, full disclosure, 50 Best’s academy chair for South America — when I share with you that three Buenos Aires establishments and four others in the region are ranked in this year’s top 50 (and two in the top eight!). South America spells quality, not quantity — and the global industry has taken note.

So what makes Palermo-based Tres Monos so special that by ranking seventh in the world this year it was also named the best cocktail bar in the continent? And how about Florería Atlántico, a hidden spot tucked away in a Retiro basement named “Legend of the List,” for consecutively making the cut for 11 years? And CoChinChina, which opened during the pandemic and climbed four spots to reach 22?

Sipping a cocktail, whether it’s a vermouth and soda or a Boulevardier, isn’t a trendy new pastime. Aperitivo heritage is part of Argentina’s DNA. Whether it bears a distinctive scarlet hue, is sticky and dark brown, or homegrown with oranges........

© Buenos Aires Herald