Travel isn’t just about sights—it’s about tastes too. Authentic drinks capture the essence of a place and can transport you back to unforgettable journeys. From bitter herbal liqueurs to sweet tropical cocktails, here are 10 iconic drinks you must try.
1. Baltic Winter (Balzam) – Riga, Latvia
Riga locals warm up with Balzam, a herbal liqueur infused with botanicals, honey, caramel, and natural juices, traditionally bottled in clay. The Baltic Winter variation blends blackcurrant Balzam with mint, cranberry, mandarin, and pomegranate—offering a strong, bitter, mulled-wine-like experience.
2. Strawberry Lemonade – New Orleans, USA
A Southern classic, this pink lemonade mixes strawberries, sugar, lemon, and ice. In New Orleans, sip it along the Mississippi River as jazz floats through the air—a refreshing antidote to the Southern heat.
3. Costa Rican Coffee – Costa Rica
Costa Rica produces some of the world’s finest coffee. From planting to brewing, experience the process from bean to cup. Locals enjoy it black, with milk, or chocolate—a rich, aromatic delight for coffee lovers everywhere.
4. Pisco Sour – Peru
Peru’s iconic cocktail blends Pisco liqueur, lemon, sugar, egg white, and a dash of Angostura bitters. Enjoy it aboard the Belmond Hiram train to Machu Picchu or in a local lodge—elegant, refreshing, and unforgettable.
5. Caipirinha – Brazil
Brazil’s national cocktail combines cachaça, lime, sugar, and crushed ice. Zesty and refreshing, it’s perfect for humid afternoons or a view of Iguassu Falls. Easy to recreate at home for a festive touch.
6. Chianti Wine – Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany’s rolling vineyards are home to Chianti wine, a deep, velvety red. Pair with cheese, truffles, and cured meats while enjoying scenic hillsides—a perfect drink to savor slowly or take home as a souvenir.
7. Mojito – Havana, Cuba
Famed by Hemingway, the Mojito is Havana’s signature cocktail. Made with Havana Club rum, lime, sugar, mint, and soda, there’s no better place to sip it than at Bodeguita del Medio, the city’s iconic bar.
8. Singapore Sling – Singapore
Originating at the historic Raffles Hotel, this tropical cocktail mixes gin, Cherry Heering, Cointreau, Benedictine, pineapple and lime juice, grenadine, and bitters, topped with a cherry. A sip transports you to colonial-era elegance and tropical luxury.
9. Horchata – Valencia, Spain
Valencia’s Horchata is made from tiger nuts, rice, cocoa, cinnamon, sesame seeds, nutmeg, and vanilla. Best enjoyed with pastries at a local horchatería, it’s a light, energizing alternative to coffee.
10. Ouzo – Athens, Greece
A traditional Greek spirit, Ouzo is flavored with anise, cardamom, and cloves. Often paired with cheese, olives, and bar snacks, it delivers an authentic Greek drinking experience with a punch.
Final Thoughts
These drinks do more than quench thirst—they capture the culture, history, and flavors of their homelands. From Riga’s Balzam to Athens’ Ouzo, each sip tells a story and offers a taste of local tradition.
Which one would you love to try first?