Top 5 Local Tipples to Taste Around the World

[Velimira Velikova]

In nearly every corner of the world, you can find a local, traditional beverage that’s worth to taste. In many of those destinations you could easily arrange an organized beverage trail, but very often it’s best to simply head to the nearest pub and enjoy a drink with the locals – a perfect chance to get a bot of taste of the culture! Here are 5 must-try beverages to get you started.

1. Guinness, Ireland

The first pint of dark-bodied stout with roasted barley and caramel flavour, comes from the brewery of Arthur Guiness in Dublin. Originating from the traditional dark-coloured porter style, the stout is one of the most popular beers around the world. It takes 119.5 seconds to pour the perfect pint, but it is worth getting right.

2. Absinthe, Switzerland

The precise origin of absinthe is unclear – this 74%, alegedely dangerous and addictive, alcoholic drink dates back to Ancient Egypt, where it was used as a medicine. The ‘Green Fairy’ gained popularity as a drink in late 19th century in France, particularly among the bohemian circles of writers and artists. Although it is usually diluted with water and the bitter anise taste softened by adding sugar (the traditional method is to place an absinthe spoon over the glass and slowly drip cold water through the sugar cube to disolve it into the absinthe), it is vilified for it’s opium-like effects – an inspiration for many artists such as Van Gogh, Ernest Hemingway and Oscar Wilde.

3. Burgundy wine, France

Burgundy region in eastern France is home to some of the most expensive wines in the world, and it’s renown many centuries ago – the earliest recorded praise of Burgundy wine was written in 591 by Gregory of Tours, who compared it to the Roman Falernian wine. Burgundy is one of the most territory-oriented wine producing region in France – the 400 different types of soil give the wine grapes specific qualities and classifications are entirely geographically-focused.

4. Becherovka, Czech Republic

There are only two people in the world who know the secret recipe for this 38% ABV flavored bitter. The chosen two are the only ones allowed to enter the Drogikamr room, once a week, and prepare the all natural mix of anise seed, cinnamon and about 32 other herbs. Becherovka is served usually chilled or with tonic water (a mixed drink know as beton i.e. concrete) and as a digestive. It may puzzle you, but in many former Soviet Union Bloc countries, it is used to cure arthritis.

5. Vodka, Poland

The name “vodka” is a diminutive form of the Slavic word for water and in Poland, it has been produced since the early Middle Ages. In these centuries, the spirits have been used as medicines and among many, vodka was believed to “increase fertility and awaken lust”. It became popular as a drink in 1400. One of the best-known Polish vodkas, Żubrówka (Buffalo Grass Vodka or Bison Grass Vodka) is a dry, herb-flavored vodka that is distilled from rye. Its flavor is unique infusion of woodruff, vanilla, coconut, and almond notes.