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Countries With Their Signature Drinks

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01/03/2019 From Japan's Sake to Mexico’s Tequila, here is a compilation of countries and their famous drinks.

Different countries mean different drinks. One thing is for sure, the world doesn’t need a reason to get tipsy. In an effort to give you an enjoyable booze option, we have put together a list of different countries and their signature drinks.


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1. Scotland- Whisky

Whiskey or Whisky? Scotch whisky is always spelled without an “e”. Most other nations like the United States, Ireland, and Australia call their similar spirits whiskey. In general, the whisky is made usually from malt, but it can be made from different cereals – wheat, oats, barley, rye, corn. Whether you’re buying a single malt whisky or a blended Scotch whisky like Johnnie Walker, it’s most likely going to taste smokey.

2. Denmark- Akvavit

Gin’s cousin Akvavit is a distilled spirit principally produced in Scandinavia. It is dry flavored liquor with a strong presence of caraway. Cardamom, cumin, anise, fennel, and citrus are also frequently used. Akvavit is increasingly trendy at bars, and distilleries are starting to produce it in the United States.

3. Croatia- Rakija

Rakija, also known as rakia throughout the Balkans, can be made from a variety of distilled fermented fruits including plums, grapes, apricots, peaches, apples, pears, and figs, this strong flavored spirit may have herbs, honey, mistletoe as its base. In Croatia, it is typically made exclusively from grapes, where it retains its status as Croatia’s most popular spirit.

4. Japan- Sake

Sake in the West is called Nihonshu meaning Japanese alcohol. It is prepared by fermentation of rice, sometimes called rice wine. Sake is usually around 15-20 degrees, which is less than most alcoholic beverages, but more than beer. It is consumed both hot and cold. The Japanese usually drink sake during holidays and in ordinary days without reason. 

5. Macedonia- Mastika

Mastika is liquor seasoned with mastic, resin from the mastic tree, a small evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean Region. It is used as an aperitif (alcoholic drinks normally served before the meal) poured over ice and enjoyed with meze.

6. Russia- Vodka

This traditional alcoholic beverage, known from medieval time comes from Russia. Vodka is often drunk neat but is used in a variety of cocktails such as the vodka tonic, bloody mary etc. Russians often joke that the high degree of vodka helps them to spend a little easier with the cold and harsh Russian winter. It is usually produced mainly from cereals mostly wheat and barley and potatoes.

7. USA- Bourbon

Bourbon is a type of whiskey which differs significantly in taste and ingredients of traditional whiskey. This traditional American product produced in the US is made from corn. It obtains its distinct flavor as its aged in barrels. America has declared it as the “National Spirit of America”.

8. Singapore- Singapore Sling

This colorful cocktail was created by keeping ladies in mind. This long drink was developed by a bartender working at the Raffles Hotel in Singapore in 1915. While it was common for the men to drink gin and whiskey in the hotel bar, it wasn’t acceptable for the ladies to be seen consuming alcohol. Ngiam Tong Boon found a way to mask the liquor and give the appearance of juice with his Singapore Sling cocktail. It was an undeniable hit.

9. Greece- Ouzo

Ouzo is produced on the base of anise making it closer to the Mastika. The color is transparent with the characteristic crisp and cool fragrance. It is consumed chilled and combined with seafood. However, caution is advised due to its high alcohol and sugar levels that will cause the alcohol to have a delayed release into your system. It is, therefore, most appropriate to drink moderate quantity in combination with a meal or appetizer.

10. Korea- Soju

Soju is neutral-tasting like vodka but doesn’t have the harsh alcohol burn thanks to having around half the percentage of alcohol. It’s traditionally consumed straight with food but also mixes into cocktails. Traditionally it was made from rice but that changed during the Korean War. In 2006, it was estimated that the average adult Korean (older than 20) had consumed 90 bottles of soju during that year.

11. Peru- Pisco Sour

The European Commission officially declared Peru as the owners of the Pisco Sour in 2013 and every year on the first Saturday in February the national drink is celebrated with its own Pisco Sour Day. Citrusy and tart, this cocktail is a classic shaken concoction. Some people consider mixing pure Pisco with anything else to be a sin.

12. Iceland- Brennivin

Brennivin is Iceland’s version of Gin. This caraway flavored distillate was the first to be made available when the former dry country permitted liquor sales. The “signature distilled beverage” of Iceland is also known as “burning wine”.

13. Argentina- Fernet

Fernet is an Italian type of Amaro. To some, this incredibly bitter liquor is worse than cough syrup. Bizarrely in Argentina, it is so popular that the country more than 75% of Fernet produced globally. Since the drink is traditionally mixed with coca-cola in an ice-filled glass, it also contributes to making Argentina one of the planet’s highest coke consumers. It is made with a variety of herbs and spices like cardamom, aloe, myrrh and most importantly saffron giving it a distinct flavor.

14. Mexico- Tequila

Tequila is Mexico’s signature drink. It is a strong alcoholic spirit made from fermented juice of the mountain plant blue agave. Although tequila is a type of mezcal, the distinction here is that tequila must use only blue agave plants rather than any other type of agave. Tequila is served neat in Mexico and as a shot with lime and salt across the rest of the world.

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