Many countries are famous for their beverages. Japan has sake, France has red wine, and America has Gatorade. But while these might be popular choices, there is an entire world out there of unique drinks that you just have to try. Let’s take a look at what you need to sample before you kick the bucket, and try out these beverages.
POPPY SEED MILK
Poppy seed milk might sound a little strange, but when you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. Almond milk is a popular drink, and just like poppies, almonds are fatty seeds that can be mixed with water to make a milk-like suspension.
Poppy seed milk has its origins in the Baltic state of Lithuania. Artisans made the drink by taking poppy seeds, soaking them in water, and then grinding them up with a pestle and mortar. The result of this process was a thick, decadent milk drink that could be flavoured with fruit, sugar, or served plain.
OOLONG TEA
Oolong tea is a special kind of loose leaf tea that has been minimally processed. A popular beverage in the Far East, Oolong tea has many of the same natural, medicinal properties as regular green tea. East Asians have been drinking oolong tea for many generations, thanks to its ability to gently lift the spirits and keep disease at bay. Sweeter than green tea, this is a must-try drink.
MULLED CIDER
Mulled wine is a favourite festive beverage, but mulled cider is just as valid an alternative. First created in Great Britain, mulled cider involves adding a range of spices and then heating cider in a pan. People add orange, allspice, star anise, and cinnamon sticks to enhance the flavour of the drink and make it all the more seasonal.
RABARBAR
If you love manuka honey, then you’ll almost certainly enjoy Rabarbar, a drink native to Poland. Rabarbar is essentially a combination of rhubarb shoots with honey and cranberry juice. The honey adds some much-needed sweetness while complementing the flavour of the rhubarb. The great thing about rabarbar is that it is non-alcoholic, meaning that it’s a great drink to serve to kids at parties.
CAFFE SHAKERATO
A caffe shakerato is pretty much what it sounds like: a shaken up coffee. Served cold, the shakerato is made by combining ice, espresso and a little bit of water and shaking like mad. Many professional baristas serve the drink in an elegant cocktail glass, sometimes with a straw. Caffe shakeratos should have a large layer of foam on top, indicating that it is well shaken.
HORCHATA
Spain is best known for sangria and wine as a popular beverages. But there’s another beverage that’s popular on the Iberian peninsula: the horchata.
But what exactly is this milky-looking drink? While horchata may look like regular cow’s milk from the outside, it is anything but (thank goodness). Horchata is made of sugar, almonds, and rice, and often served as an accompaniment to ice-creams. You can find horchata in many of the ice cream shops that litter Spain’s towns, cities, and coastal resorts.