One of my favorite things about traveling is trying something new. From activities, to food, to drinks, I love experiencing something different. Alcohol is one of my favorite things to try when traveling abroad as these beverages tend to taste not like they do in the U.S. If you get the chance, try some of these drinks the next time you are traveling abroad.
Brennivin, Iceland
This beverage is an unsweetened schnapps. It is made from potato mash and flavored with caraway. It tastes similar to vodka and is usually 80 proof. It is often drank as a shot as any more than that is too much for most people to handle.
Cachaca, Brazil
This spirit is made from sugarcane juice. Unaged batches can taste grassy or have a chemical taste. Aged batches tend to taste a lot better and can taste fruity or like coffee. Cachaca is often used in tropical drinks or cocktails like Caipirinha.
Jenever, Nertherlands
Residents of the Netherlands and Belgium tend to love this drink. It’s made out of grains like barley and wheat. There are two types of jenever: Jonge jenever and oude jenever. Jonge jenever has a neutral taste. Oude jenever is smoother and has a smoky flavor.
Ouzo, Greece
Ouzo recipes vary around Greece. Anise is almost always added along with other flavorings like cinnamon, fennel or coriander. It’s traditionally eaten with appetizers and tastes like licorice.
Amarula, South Africa
Amarula is a cream liqueur. It’s made from the fruit of the African marula tree as well as cream and sugar. It tastes sweet, like caramel and has a somewhat fruity aftertaste.
Moutai, China
This drink is made from distilled sorghum and is the national liquor of China. It has a rather interesting flavor. Some describe it as tasting similar to soy sauce while other say it tastes like tropical fruits. Its 104 proof, but smooth going down (if you can get past the taste).
Aguardiente, Colombia
This beverage is made from sugarcane and the aniseed. It’s very popular in Colombia and recipes of it vary be region. It’s often referred to as firewater and has a licorice like taste. It’s best to chase it with water.
Grappa, Italy
This grape-based drink has the flavor of red wine. Everything from the skins, pulps, stems and seeds are used to make Grappa. In Italy it is served as an after dinner drink to aid in digestion.
Absinthe, Czech Republic
Absinthe is made from fennel and coriander as well as many other spices and herbs. It tends to be very bitter and the color of it depends on the types of herbs used to make it.
Mastika, Macedonia
Mastika is Macedonia’s national drink for good reason. It has an interesting flavor and is generally made from figs, raisins or grapes. It has a taste similar to that of brandy and is often served over ice.
Vodka, Russia
This beverage is often made of water and ethanol. Although grains and potatoes are usually part of the distillation process. Many vodkas in Russia are 80 proof. This drink is very strong and has a chemical taste. In this country it is often drank as it is and not served with a mixer or over ice.
Sake, Japan
This rice wine has a brewing process that’s similar to that of beer. It is the national beverage of Japan and generally drank during a special ceremony. Sake is often served warm in a small cup called a guinomi and it tastes like a dry wine.
Tequila, Mexico
Tequila is made from the blue agave plant in Mexico. It can be made from 62-110 proof and is usually very strong. The taste of it varies based on whether the agave plants used in making it came from the highlands or lowlands. Plants used from the highlands give it a sweeter taste while plants used from the lowlands give it an earthier taste.
Jamaican Rum
This drink is considered to be one of the greatest exports from the Caribbean. It is made from molasses or sugarcane juice. There are many different varieties of Jamaican Rum with some of them tasting refreshingly smooth while others of them taste very strong. It is often drank in soda.
