10 AUTHENTIC DRINKS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Last Updated on 13th March 2024 by Bejal
When it comes to authentic drinks and food, I’m always up for scoping out what the local scene has to offer. However, authentic beverages are more my scene as until recently I have not been that much of a foodie! So, with that in mind, authentic drinks are something that I do take away from my travels to far flung locales and try and recreate the tastes at home to relive those unforgettable memories! It’s also a pretty good medicine for holiday blues!. I occasionally even purchase the main ingredients abroad to try and retain that literal sense of authentic drinks feeling when back at home!
I bring you 10 authentic drinks from around the world…
1. A BALTIC WINTER (BALZAM)
RIGA, LATVIA
Now, we’ve all heard about the Baltic winter right?! Well, to keep the chill out, the locals in Riga have a very special tipple known as Balzam. It’s actually known as the Riga Black Balsam essence, where botanicals are infused in spirit-water and then blended with honey, caramel, natural juices and finally bottled in a clay vessel. You can purchase a version of it blended with blackcurrant but I tasted a more toned down version called the Baltic Winter. The base was the blackcurrant black balsam with mint, cranberry, mandarin and pomegranate. I’d say it reminds me of a bitter stronger mulled wine. There’s lots more on food and drink in Latvia here.
2. STRAWBERRY LEMONADE
NEW ORLEANS, USA
I’d heard of the Pink Louisiana lemonade way before I went to New Orleans (read more on my New Orleans post, it ain’t just about the Mardis Gras) and was delighted to see it on the menu at the first restaurant we entered! Pink lemonade usually consists of blended strawberries, ice, sugar and lemon in specific quantities to produce the perfect tangy come sweet mix (lots of playing around with the quantities!). The perfect thirst quencher to be enjoyed on the banks of the Mississippi in the heat of the deep south with a sax and blues in the distance breeze.
3. COFFEE
COSTA RICA
Fulfilling my dream of some Barista training in Costa Rica, I experienced the story of the coffee bean. From planting to picking, to drying and roasting and finally how to make that perfect cup of coffee. Costa Rica does produce some of the best coffee globally and believe me I had it with chocolate, without chocolate, black, with milk and every other which way possible! It’s safe to say we left with a mini shipment of our own! Lots more information on Costa Rican coffee here!
4. PISCO SOUR
PERU
My beloved Peru had me sipping Pisco Sours from the day I laid foot in the country! One of my most poignant moments was having a Pisco Sour in hand whilst riding on the Belmond Hiram train en route to Machu Picchu. Also learning how to make an authentic Pisco Sour at The Belmond Sanctuary lodge with the most amazing view of Huyana Picchu (peruse the blog post here). If you’re not familiar with a Pisco Sour, it’s basically the potent Pisco liqueur mixed with lemon and sugar topped with egg white and a dash of Angostura bitter. To this day Dr C still holds it as the cocktails of kings and it truly brings back memories of a very special country.
5. CAIPIRINHAS
BRAZIL
For me the best Caipirinha I had was at was a Iguassu falls on a rainy afternoon in the bar of the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas. The traditional Brazilian drink is refreshingly zesty containing cachaca, sugar and lime served on crushed ice. It’s perfect in the Brazilian humidity and easy to create for any occasion in your own home bar!
6. CHIANTI WINE
TUSCANY, ITALY
When in Tuscany, it’s obligatory to visit the rolling hills and Chianti vineyards, which are present in abundance! An afternoon of wine tasting, accompanied by a platter of cheese, truffle oils and hams will have you in the mood for placing one or two orders of the deep red elixir to be shipped back home. Read all about my experiences at Tuscany wine tours: Are you a Chianti convert?
7. MOJITO
CUBA
Hemingway made it a national drink and to this day, you will NOT get a Mojito like you do on the streets of Old Habana and that’s a FACT! Havana club Rum is the base and if you’re in Havana, I’d thoroughly recommend visiting the museum and purchasing some of the classic Havana Club Rum, which incidentally retails at £5 a bottle out there! Great Mojitos in Havana are not greater than in the quirky, Bodeguita del Media, truly Hemingways hangout! All in the name of research, I even have a post on the best Mojito haunts in Havana!
8. SINGAPORE SLING
SINGAPORE
When in Singapore, it’s obligatory to visit the colonial home of the Singapore Sling at The Raffles Hotel. The piano playing in the background at the open courtyard in the warm Singapore breeze is the perfect place to enjoy the sling made from gin, cherry heering liqueurs, Cointreau, Benedictine, pineapple and lime juice, grenadine and a dash of bitters topped with a glacier cherry! Feel transported to the time of colonial rule and High tea with this long drink in hand.
9. HORCHATA
VALENCIA, SPAIN
A speciality in Valencia but originally from Central America, Horchata is made from jicaro seeds ground with rice and ground cocoa cinnamon, sesame seeds, nutmeg, tiger nuts and vanilla. It’s a cool drink best enjoyed with pastries at Horchata bars in Valencia. It makes a refreshing change from a mid-morning coffee and you can read all about it in my Valencia post.
10. OUZO
ATHENS, GREECE
Not particularly my drink of choice but give me some Greek cheese and olives with a shot glass of Ouzo and you won’t see me complaining too much! It usually contains anise, cardamom, cloves for flavour but does contain almost 96% alcohol ABV. The Athenians swear by it with bar snacks post work it makes for a truly authentic drinks experience. You can delve into my Athens food and drinks experience a little more here!
There you have my 10 authentic drinks from around the world. Tell me in the comments below, what are your recommendations?
À Bientôt…
PIN FOR LATER
Mostlyfoodandtravel
Great read Bejal and some interesting drinks on here. I agree – drinks taste best from where they originated. Must be something in the water or air because I would never have some of the drinks I have on my travels back home. That hot drink from Costa Rica sounds soo good! Right that is my cue to get out of bed and made one
Bejal
MostlyfoodandtravelThankyou Neha. Oh yes the coffees in Costa Rica are incredible and so fresh. They also grow cocoa so make mean chocolate coffees and hot chocolates.
Jo
For me the best drinks are always the biggest ones haha. A moijto in Cuba does sound amazing though although I can’t cope with Ouzo even for a tiny sip anymore because I drank too much of it in my uni days (with my Greek friend literally taking it with her to every party). The Peru one looks great – I’m there is November and also getting the train so I will just cancel my schedule for the next hour while I lose myself to the wormhole of those posts haha.
http://www.jettravels.co.uk
jo
x
Bejal
JoSometimes Jo, you just need size right?! I must say Ouzo isn’t my favourite either but it went so well with the food, I was pleasantly surprised! Oh yes So if you’re getting the Belmond Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu then the Pisco Sours are basically on tap. Good luck as they’re lethal but the best you’ll ever drink will naturally be in Peru!
the Curious Pixie
Love to try an authentic mojito from Havana. Love your list of bevvies, worked up quite a thirst reading that post. Espresso martini, anyone? 😉
Bejal
the Curious PixieThe authentic Mojitos are so different to the watered down, sugary version we have here. Right then, I’m always up for an Espresso Martini, the question is where are we going?!
Sarah
This was such a fun read, but now I need a cocktail! I looove Caiprihina so I was happy you included it. However I am yet to actually drink one in Brazil, but that’s a good excuse as any to travel to a new country, right?
Bejal
SarahHaha! Ahh so you’re a Caipirinha fan? I think the best one I had was definitely in Brazil on one of the beaches in Salvador! I suggest you book a trip to Rio straight away, all in the name of cocktail research!!! Thanks for stopping by Sarah.
1dish4theroad
Loved this post, Bejal! I was particularly taken by the Balzam.. but that’s maybe because my great grandmother was from Riga and had to endure those harsh Baltic winters – or at least that’s my excuse for a drink! 😉
Bejal
1dish4theroadThankyou Aaron. Wow Riga has been one of my favourite places that I’ve travelled to this year. Such a hidden gem. I agree, you definitely need a warm alcoholic drink to keep the Baltic winter chill away!
Sarah
They all sound so wonderful! Sadly I’ve only tried the Singapore Sling but only in London. I remember it having a quite citrus yet a sweet taste to it, was lovely. The drinks that appealed to me from your post was the coffee in Costa Rica and Horchata in Valencia. Also being a fan of Thai Iced Tea and Vietnamese Coffee Im a sucker when it comes to milky coffees and teas espiecally when their sweet. I’ll be sure to remember these drinks if I ever plan to visit these places one day. Peru is on my bucket list so who knows I’ll be there first.
Bejal
SarahThanks Sarah for reading and commenting. You are right about the taste of the Singapore Sling but it’s a little stronger in taste i Singapore. Peru is amazing, just don’t drink too may Pisco Sours in that high altitude! Horchata was a bit of a challenge for me as it’s milk based but was pleasantly surprised it went so well with the pastry! Happy global drinks hunting lovely.
Binny
Obviously number 7 is my fave 😉
Bejal
BinnyWell of course Binny and you know they’re just the best in Cuba!
Harpreet
Amazing post Bejal, love your creative take on the topic 🙂 🙂 Talking of all these drinks made me want to fix one up and re-read your post! You need to come to Kenya for a Dawa and go to Ethiopia for a coffee…they do amazing coffee out there. I tried an authentic Pisco Sour here in Kenya at a Peruvian clients house and that has me hankering to get out to Peru to try one out there but alas, South America is my elusive continent….though I am determined to get there some day!
Bejal
HarpreetThankyou Harpreet for your kind words. I woudl love to come to Kenya and Ethiopia would be the ultimate for my coffee loving self! I’m sure I’ll make it one day. You have to go to Peru! It is one of my favourite places to date in the whole wide world. Stunning and the food and drink is delicious!
thetravelsofmrsb
I love all of these (bit of a love hate relationship with ouzo!)!
Bejal
thetravelsofmrsbI’m not the hugest fan of Ouzo! have to be a little tipsy to have some!
Emma @ Adventures of a London Kiwi
I adored this post – I’m not sure I could pick just one either!
Bejal
Emma @ Adventures of a London KiwiThanks Emma! Haha! You can have them all! 🙂
Ladies What Travel (@LadiesWTravel)
Love this! I’ve only tried a few of these and as a picky drinker not really loved them – until I discovered tinto de verano in Madrid! It’s so tasty, you gotta try it! 😉 #citytripping
Bejal
Ladies What Travel (@LadiesWTravel)Thankyou! Oh I need to try this Tinto de Verano. I’ve been to Madrid a couple of times but never had it! It’s on my list for sure!!
Angie Silver
I’ve done the Chianti and the Singapore Sling, I need to do the others!
Bejal
Angie SilverYes Angie! You have to go on a drinks tour of the world for research purposes obviously!!