The scorching summer heat is already upon us! The ideal time to gorge on loads of liquids in any form. what do you drink when you travel, though? Do you look for the local favourites or go for your usual poison? Take a clue from us and always go for the exotic drinks unique to a particular country. We have got a list of awesome summer drinks for you right here!
When in Asia…
China: National drink of China is Baiju. It is served warm and along with food.
Made from: Fermented Sorghum
Tastes like: Vodka
Creative Cocktail: Ni Hao ( Lemongrass flavored Baiju, Lychee juice, lemon juice)
India: Feni
Made from: Cashew nut or toddy palm
Tastes like: Country liquor, quite hard
Creative cocktail: Firefly (Cashew Feni, Lime juice, jalapeno)
Sri Lanka: Arrack
Made from: Coconut
Tastes like: blend between whisky and rum
Creative cocktail: Swedish Punch has been around for a few centuries ( mix arrack with boiling water, add lemon juice or tamarind, sugar and grated nutmeg)
When in Europe…
Turkey: Raki, is an anise flavored unsweetened drink served with mezze.
Made from: Grapes or figs
Tastes like: Grape juice/wine
Creative cocktail: Rakitini ( Lemon juice, cucumber, thyme leaves, raki). Add pomegranate to make it even more exotic.
Holland: Genever /Jenever or dutch Gin is the juniper flavored national drink of Holland
Made from: Malt, juniper berry
Tastes like: the old or Oude tastes like whisky while the new one or jonge tastes more like Vodka with a hint of juniper.
Creative cocktail: Genever and soda
When in South America…
Argentina: Fernet
Made from: grape distilled spirit, and a mix of herbs like myrrh, rhubarb, chamomile, aloe, cardamom
Tastes like: black licorice flavored Listerine
Creative cocktail: A Miracle ( 2 parts of fernet and one part of creme de menthe over ice)
Brazil: Cachaca
Made from: Sugarcane juice
Tastes like: rum
Creative cocktail: Caipirinha is the most known cachaca cocktail so we suggest try Batida a Brazilian cocktail made with cachaca, fruit juice or coconut milk and sugar and shake it with ice.
Peru: The most popular Peruvian cocktail with the local liquor Pisco as base- Pisco Sour.
Made from: Peruvian pisco, key lime juice, egg white, Angostura bitters and syrup
Tastes like: Grappa
When in Africa…
Kenya: Urwaga or Banana beer
Made from: bananas, sorghum, millet
Tastes like: banana flavored beer
Ethiopia: Tej
Made from: honey
Tastes like: sweet and smooth like honey
Creative cocktail: While there is no cocktail with Tej as base, it can be easily made at home with white wine, honey and water.
