Around the World in 8 Drinks: International Beverages You Must Try

Introduction

Get ready to embark on a flavorful journey across the globe, exploring traditional beverages that highlight the essence and culture of their homelands. Each drink provides a unique blend of aromas and tastes, transporting you to distant locales right from the comfort of your own home. So grab your passport (taste buds, that is) and let’s explore these eight must-try international drinks, complete with the perfect glassware to enhance your experience.

Argentina: Mate

An integral part of Argentine social life, mate is more than a beverage—it’s a cultural ritual. Sharing mate is a symbol of friendship and bonding in South America.

Recipe & Experience: To craft mate, steep dried yerba mate leaves in hot water. Traditionally, this drink is served in a hollowed-out gourd and sipped through a metal straw called a "bombilla," but you can bring a modern twist by serving it in a whiskey glass for a more contemporary presentation.

• Ingredients: Yerba mate leaves, hot water.
• Instructions:
  1. Fill a whiskey glass one-third full with yerba mate leaves.
  2. Add a bit of room temperature water to dampen the leaves.
  3. Pour hot (not boiling) water over the leaves.
  4. Let it steep for a few minutes and enjoy with a metal straw, or “bombilla.”

India: Mango Lassi

Step into the tapestry of Indian flavors with a mango lassi, a creamy, sweet yogurt-based drink that complements spicy Indian dishes.

Recipe & Experience: Blend ripe mango pieces with yogurt, add a pinch of cardamom, and sweeten with sugar if desired. Pour into a water & juice glass and serve chilled. The soothing drink delivers a rich, tropical embrace with every sip, offering a refreshing counterbalance to India’s diverse and aromatic cuisine.

• Ingredients: 1 ripe mango, 1 cup yogurt, a pinch of cardamom, sugar to taste, ice cubes.
• Instructions:
  1. Peel and chop the mango.
  2. Blend the mango pieces, yogurt, cardamom, and sugar until smooth.
  3. Pour into a water & juice glass over ice cubes.

Japan: Matcha Latte

A modern adaptation of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, the matcha latte provides a serene escape into the peaceful green hills where the tea leaves are cultivated.

Recipe & Experience: Whisk premium matcha powder with a small amount of hot water to form a smooth paste, then add steamed milk. The creamy texture and vibrant green hue create an aesthetic delight that is perfect for sipping from a minimalist cocktail glass that mirrors the harmony and simplicity of Japanese culture.

• Ingredients: 1 teaspoon matcha powder, 2 ounces hot water, 1 cup steamed milk.
• Instructions:
  1. Whisk matcha powder with hot water until smooth.
  2. Pour the matcha into a cocktail glass.
  3. Add steamed milk, stirring gently.

Mexico: Horchata

Dive into the sweet, creamy delight of Mexican horchata, a staple at festivals and family gatherings with its comforting, nostalgic flair.

Recipe & Experience: Soak rice and cinnamon sticks, blend with water and sugar, and strain. Serve chilled over ice in a highball glass for a full experience of its subtle, spiced sweetness that transports you to a sun-drenched fiesta in Mexico.

• Ingredients: 1 cup rice, 1 cinnamon stick, 4 cups water, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
• Instructions:
  1. Soak rice and cinnamon stick in water overnight.
  2. Blend the mixture, strain, and sweeten with sugar and vanilla.
  3. Serve over ice in a highball glass.

Italy: Aperol Spritz

The epitome of Italian aperitivo culture, the Aperol Spritz is both sophisticated and refreshing, echoing the bustling piazzas and tranquil coastlines of Italy.

Recipe & Experience: Mix equal parts Aperol and Prosecco, then add a splash of soda water. Serve in a wine glass with ice and garnish with an orange slice to enjoy the vibrant colors and bittersweet, bubbly sensation.

• Ingredients: 3 ounces Prosecco, 2 ounces Aperol, a splash of soda water, ice cubes, orange slice.
• Instructions:
  1. Fill a wine glass with ice cubes.
  2. Add Prosecco, Aperol, and a splash of soda water.
  3. Garnish with an orange slice.

Thailand: Thai Iced Tea

This vibrant, aromatic iced tea is a staple in Thailand, known for its dazzling orange hue and unique blend of spices that awaken the palate.

Recipe & Experience: Brew robust black tea with spices like star anise and vanilla. Stir in sweetened condensed milk and pour over ice in a margarita glass. This choice not only adds flair but also highlights the creamy, sweet blend that mellows the exotic spices, bringing the bustling street markets of Thailand to your home.

• Ingredients: 1 cup black tea, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk, star anise.
• Instructions:
  1. Brew black tea with a star anise.
  2. Stir sugar into the hot tea, cool, then pour into a margarita glass filled with ice.
  3. Top with condensed milk.

Russia: Kvass

Discover Russia’s ancient, slightly fermented beverage, kvass, which combines the robust flavors of rye bread with a hint of sweetness.

Recipe & Experience: Ferment rye bread with sugar and yeast, then cool and serve in a chilled beer mug with fresh mint or berries. This hearty yet refreshing drink offers a taste of Russian tradition with every sip

• Ingredients: 1 cup stale rye bread, 4 cups water, 1/4 cup sugar, fresh mint or berries for garnish.
• Instructions:
  1. Soak rye bread in water with sugar, ferment until fizzy.
  2. Strain and chill.
  3. Serve in a beer mug with mint or berries.

Brazil: Caipirinha

Brazil’s national cocktail, the Caipirinha, captures the vibrant, festive spirit of the country with its zesty, punchy flavor.

Recipe & Experience: Muddle lime wedges with sugar to release the citrusy oils, mix in cachaça, and fill with ice. Serve in a rock glass for an authentic experience that reflects Brazil's lively beaches and spirited samba rhythms.

• Ingredients: 1 lime, 2 teaspoons sugar, 2 ounces cachaça, ice cubes.
• Instructions:
  1. Cut the lime into wedges.
  2. Muddle the lime and sugar in the bottom of a rocks glass to release the juice.
  3. Add cachaça and fill the glass with ice cubes.
  4. Stir well before serving.

Conclusion

This global tasting tour offered just a sip of the world's rich cultural tapestry, blending traditional flavors with storytelling to create more than just a drink but an experience. Each beverage invites you to explore unique landscapes and different customs, one glass at a time. Which drink transported you the furthest? Share your experiences and drink stories in the comments below, and toast to new adventures!