Whose round is it anyway? The world’s best booze

Mar 21, 2012 8:53:47 AM

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Drinking the local beverage is a sure way to warm the hearts of the locals. Here is a selection of alcoholic drinks that make the effort of travel all the more rewarding.

1. Sake, Japan

Image by katclay

Called nihonshu in Japan, sake is a rice wine with an alcohol content of 15% to 17%. Prior to the first sake brewery being established at Kyoto’s Imperial Palace in the 7th century, sake was consumed in a form that resembled porridge, with the rice primed for production by the chew-in-the-mouth method. There are more than 1,600 brewers of this almost transparent alcohol, with varieties ranging from sweet to crisp and fragrantly fruity. Serving sake slightly chilled generally brings out its best qualities.

2. Guinness, Ireland

Image by ccharmon

It takes 119.5 seconds to pour the perfect pint. The famous ‘surge and settle’ should be executed in a two-part pour, served at 6°C (43°F). But the malt-and-caramel flavoured dark body (actually ruby coloured, rather than black) with a creamy head is worth getting right. Based in Dublin, the Guinness brew is a malt-heavy porter (dark, sweet ale brewed from black malt) – so called because it was the favourite beverage of porters.

3. Beer, Belgium

Image by jonworth-eu

Someone once said: ‘beauty is in the eye of the beer holder’; if that’s the case, then Belgium is exquisite. It produces around 450 varieties of beer, with a specifically shaped glass for each, and some world renowned brews. The Trappist dark ales were first brewed by monks who fled France after the Napoleonic period. The best-known of them is Chimay – served in a goblet-like glass. Hoegaarden is a fine example of Belgian Witbier (white), distinguished by its pale golden colour, extra fizz, sediment and hint of herbs, such as coriander.

4. Absinthe, Czech Republic

Image by plusgood

For instant bohemian, just add water. But ensure you add it a drop at a time through a sugar cube on a spoon placed over the glass of absinthe. This turns the emerald green 140-proof liquor a cloudy opalescent colour. Bohemians also burn sugar into their absinthe to mellow its bitter anise flavour. Made from wormwood, fennel and anise, the ‘Green Fairy’ has opium-like effects – the inspiration for many artists such as Van Gogh, Ernest Hemingway and Oscar Wilde. Banned in European countries during the early 19th century, governments now limit the level of thujone (an ingredient in absinthe likened to cannabis’ THC).

5. Burgundy wine, France

Image by Megan Mallen

The sought-after wines of Burgundy (Bourgogne) possess particular qualities attributable to the region’s 400 soil types. White Burgundy is essentially a chardonnay, with an added depth and delicacy courtesy of the limestone soil in which it’s grown, while red Burgundy is a gutsy pinot noir. To be classified ‘Burgundy’, the wine must be produced within the recognised region of the AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) in the Côte d’Or. The region’s vineyards were originally entirely owned by the Church, then divided up among workers according to Napoleonic Inheritance Laws.

6. Caipiroska, Brazil

This simple three-step cocktail is composed of vodka, limes and sugar. In a short glass, muddle fresh limes with two teaspoons of sugar, add loads of crushed ice and then pour a good quality vodka over the lot. This is of course the vodka version of the popularly known caipirinha, made with cachaça. Though native to Brazil, you should be able to walk into many bars around the world and ask for one by name.

7. Becherovka, Czech Republic

Image by nicksieger

Only two people know the secret recipe to produce this all-natural liquor (36% alcohol volume). The ‘chosen few’ are the only ones allowed into the ‘Drogikamr‘ where many herbs and spices are combined, placed in a sack, then steeped in alcohol for a week. The mixture is then combined with water and sugar and placed in oak barrels for two months. No-one can agree on a definitive flavour, but it’s traditionally served chilled, as a digestive.

8. George Dickel Tennessee Whisky, USA

Image by Chris Breeze

Back in 1870, old George Dickel reckoned his whiskey resembled a scotch whisky, and so adopted that spelling (dropping the ‘e’) for his special brand. He also discovered that whisky made in winter was smoother, so added a lengthy cooling step to the production process to distinguish his drop. He also refined a special combination of mashed corn, barley and rye to use as base ingredients. Double-distilled and aged in charred white-oak barrels for up to 12 years, Dickel Tennessee Whisky (40% to 45% alcohol volume) is a very fine drop.

9. Tequila, Mexico

Image by Celso Flores

Made from the hearts of blue agave plants grown in Mexico’s Tequila region, tequila measures between 70 and 110 proof. This classic spirit is hit-the-wall stuff. Usually clear and transparent, other varieties include those that are aged or rested in oak casks. It’s best served at room temperature and sipped slowly. Only gringos do the salt-and-lemon slammer, although some folk add lemon to their glass. All tequilas are mescals (made from agave plants), but only true tequila is 100% blue agave.

10. Vodka, Poland

Image by Rubber Slippers in Italy

As one of the countries that saw the genesis of vodka, Poland produces dozens of varieties. Made from starch (usually rye or potato) and alcohol, pure vodka is clear, filtered and refined. This versatile spirit, in its purest form, is considered neutral, and has little or no hangover effects – dependent on your consumption levels of course. Large-scale production of vodka began in Poland in the 16th century, becoming a major export from the 17th century. Probably Poland’s best-known vodka, Zubrovka (40% alcohol volume), is infused with bison grass.

This article was updated in March 2012.

Ready to go?

Get tipsy with these tours and activities:

Taste sake in Kyoto.
Discover in Brussels why Belgium is famous for its beers.
Walk through the vineyards of Burgundy.

Read all about it

Celebrate the world with The Travel Book.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/japan/kansai/kyoto/activities/walking-tours/kyoto-cooking-class?lpaffil=fbta3

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Comments

21 October 2010 12:29PM cla_hammerli Report this comment
Great article! But as a Brazilian who makes a great caipirinha I have to point out a mistake: Caipirinha is NOT made with rum!!! It is made with CACHAÇA which is a distilled beverage made of sugar cane! There's no such thing as a caipirinha with rum! Argh!!!...
There is a drink made with rum, sugar, ice and peppermint (instead of lemon) called Mojito! But that's from Cuba and was invented in a bar called La Bodeguita del Medio at Havana! I learned how to make that drink there! And it has nothing to do with caipirinha!
Thanks!
21 October 2010 12:30PM vicjat Report this comment
caipirinha is made with cachaça, not rum.
21 October 2010 4:23PM markbroadhead Report this comment
Thank you. I've corrected the text.
21 October 2010 6:37PM rbids Report this comment
In Bolivia you may get good "Chuflay"(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuflay) made with a Casa Real "Singani" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singani). - Salut!
21 October 2010 6:59PM tamuza Report this comment
Rakija-shljivovica in Serbia :)Btw, great article...
21 October 2010 7:32PM nicebeevor Report this comment
How can you possibly have overlooked the Western Isles of Scotland? Ardbeg; Talisker; Laphroig ... that's proper whisky, not the American substitute!
23 October 2010 1:29AM silentstrings Report this comment
The absinthe entry isn't really accurate, but since the drink is all about the myth I guess it can pass...France and Switzerland are better locations for it, though.
My main problem I would guess is a common one. You missed Scotch (along with Irish). That's just unforgivable. Dickel might make a fine dram, but America isn't whisky country by any stretch.
23 October 2010 7:41AM walkingmzungu Report this comment
Norwegian Linie Aquavit - which according to tradition must be transported across the Equator and back on a cargo liner before being consumed - deserves a mention: it's definitely an acquired taste, but served at the right moment and at the right temperature it can be a heavenly drink.
25 October 2010 5:20AM anabaena Report this comment
It isn't quite as exotic as the locations above, but for those of us in the U.S. Portland, OR has a great selection of microbreweries. Rogue and Deschutes both have amazing beer.
26 October 2010 4:35AM _mya_ Report this comment
Well,you've missed rakija.Especially the one from southern parts of Macedonia, distilled form grapes. Cheers!
26 October 2010 8:32PM moondogginjerzee Report this comment
Why would they put caipiroska over caipirinha? thats weird
27 October 2010 8:19AM jesi_b Report this comment
what about sangria? :-)
5 November 2010 1:47AM ciaochowbella Report this comment
I protest the American contender! George Dickel is ROTGUT and from Tennessee to boot. SHAMEFUL!
My candidate: Maker's Mark Kentucky Bourbon. There's nothing finer.
5 November 2010 5:09AM username103 Report this comment
That's Zubrowka with a w, made right here in my city of Bialystok.
6 November 2010 8:19AM adlugood Report this comment
You forgot Pisco, a liquor distilled from grapes in Peru. The mixed frink it is best known for: Pisco Sour. Deeeee-lish!!!
8 December 2010 12:20AM camomile Report this comment
How about krambambula in Belarus? it's finger-licking good!!
8 December 2010 1:54AM jackal51 Report this comment
My only complaint about 'caipirinha' (which I love) is that I don't know how to pronounce it, so have trouble ordering it and usually end up with a mojito instead. Now you add 'caipiroska'(which sounds delicious)! I'll probably have to stick with vodka gimlet.
8 December 2010 1:57AM jackal51 Report this comment
Oh and one more question. What is the differnce between cachaça and rum? There both based on fermenting sugar cane aren't they? (guess that's 2 questions)
8 December 2010 5:16AM lindsey8008 Report this comment
Since the Caipiroska is just the Western knock-off of the caipirina wouldn't you want to suggest people try the original?
8 December 2010 5:19AM lindsey8008 Report this comment
How about a list of the worst booze in the world. Those are always the most fun stories. We trekked into an Akha (sp?) village in northern Laos where we feasted with the villagers and "enjoyed" their rice moonshine. Oye. paint thinner. But what an experience!
8 December 2010 7:53AM reggierocket Report this comment
Local champagne with a simple meal in a small restaurant in Epernay. Unbeatable. and of course local cognac in Cognac.
9 December 2010 7:40AM taieri50 Report this comment
My list would include Pinot Noir from Otago, a west country Cider or perry and if your into chasing little green fairies, try a jug of Irish Poitin.
9 December 2010 9:10AM millere Report this comment
Slightly boring list with little surprises. What about something from the Baltic states, like Lithuanian liquor, Estonian Vana Tallinn or Riga Black Balsam from Latvia that is said to have healed tsars from Russia?
9 December 2010 10:29AM jdubyu Report this comment
Hi. For years we in the UK had to put up with awful beers from beer factories but nowadays there are loads and loads of small breweries producing what we refer to as "real ales". We should be back in any list of top beer nations again - the quality is as high as any Czech or German lager but they taste more akin to the darker beers of Belgium or the Netherlands. The strength is less than those though, usually around 4-5% alcohol by volume which makes them easier to drink. I have sampled the falling-over-waters in a great many places around the world from flavoured Polish vodkas to caramelly Spanish brandy, from rough Indian cashew feni to the divine Vana Tallinn mentioned by Millere above but one of the great things about getting home is a good pint of decent ale. I have been bludgeoned to the ground (more than) a few times by 8-9% West Country cider but British beers are truly great. Cheers! - jdubyu
11 December 2010 2:57AM incakola Report this comment
If you guys allow me I'll have a few Duvels at the local bar in Geluwe of all places and can't wait for a Pisco Sour Catedral at Capitán Meléndez in Miraflores, Peru. The former is for within a couple of hours, the latter will have to wait two more weeks.
11 December 2010 9:29PM arthro Report this comment
The accuracy pf the Burgundy article makes me worry about the reliability of the rest of your advice. Although the Cote d'Or (composed of the Cote de Beaune and the Cote de Nuits) is the most important region, Chablis, Cote Challonaise, Couchois, the Maconnais and Vezelien are also part of Burgundy, as is Beaujolais with its completely different soil (sandy over granite) and grape (Gamay - not my favourite).
15 December 2010 7:59AM explorerdj Report this comment
We vote to add Rakija, home-brewed on "every" farm in Croatia, and available at every "Bed and Breakfast" type inn in the Country. Commonly served on farms before breakfast and at lunch, it is a staple of life.
Also, the distilled Shochu on Kyushu island in Japan. It was the common-man staple hard liquor of this rural area through the 1980s, but has since been "discovered" by high end clubs in Ginza, Tokyo and worldwide.
16 December 2010 8:29AM polish_drinker Report this comment
Żołądkowa gorzka de luxe ;p (let's say in english it goes like Stomachy-bitter exclusive) the best price to quality rate :p
2 January 2011 9:43AM caybaybay Report this comment
In Belgium, and the trappist beers are available everywhere. I think it's more special to visit the Cantillon brewery in Brussels for their completely natural and traditional Gueuze or Kriek lambic beer.
3 January 2011 8:31PM canadamartin Report this comment
Not a big fan of 'corn' whisky we say in my neck of the woods. It's too sweet. Rye whiskey like Crown Royal or Captain's Table is much tastier in my opinion and both these brands deserve a try if you have a chance.
For some very strong, non-tasty liquors, try Moutai (sorghum based) or Wuliang Ye (mixture of 5 grains) from China. My friends and I who work in China call them 'rocket-fuel' because they leave a diesel-fuel like after taste. These liquors are very expensive and the Chinese business men - who are great hosts and fun to drink with - love to 'gan bei' (bottoms up) at business dinners. As with most alcohol, they taste better the more you drink. Also, the hangovers are usually not too bad if you don't over do it and I think similar to vodka in this respect.
Happy trails, Martin
7 January 2011 11:23AM celticrover Report this comment
Other suggestions:
Ale, England Whisky, Scotland Pisco Sour, Peru/Chile Vana Tallinn, Estonia Aquavit, Norway
8 January 2011 3:20AM triskaidekaphobia Report this comment
Just when the memory has left me - someone mentions Beckerovka. My assumption was that it's a Czech practical joke played on tourists (or anyone obviously not Czech).
Linie Aquavit - we finally discovered it was acceptable if stuck in a the freezer and drunk ice cold (like a slushy). Otherwise, only for the brave and foolhardy.
8 January 2011 3:51PM riley10 Report this comment
If you plan to go to the Philippines, dont forget trying lambanog (made from coconut in quezon/laguna provinceds) and basi (rice wine made by natives in the north). really good.
11 January 2011 6:29PM habus Report this comment
Can anyone tell me, why was my comment from yesterday evening deleted? What's so bad on telling the truth about the fake absinthe displayed in point 4? So I'm going to write it again. Point 4 is a bitter joke! That's not absinthe. It's fake. It's crap alcohol without any trace of herbs. And the burning ritual was created just because the original ritual with water didn't make sense, since this toxic waste (besides its utter bitterness) doesn't louche at all. Please do some research on the internet before you take a trip there. You can enjoy a good absinthe in Czech, but it's not the stuff on the picture, which is by the way 4 years old.
10 March 2011 5:46PM brockayers Report this comment
TO jackal51
It is pronounced Kai puh dean ya
10 March 2011 5:48PM brockayers Report this comment
and it is made with ka shash ah
28 April 2011 4:50AM sarahscard Report this comment
To jackal51:
the difference between rum and cachaça is that rum is fermented then destilled, cachaça is just fermented (and tastes a lot better!). There's some other differences, check out wikipedia for details ;D If you're an english apeaker, the difficult to say 'caipirinha' is the sound of 'nh'; try to read it as the 'gn' in the italian word 'gnocchi', or the french 'campagne'. It should sound 'kah i pih ri gna'(all the 'i's are a nasal sound) And 'cachaça' is 'kah sha ssa' (with a hissing 's' like in 'sound'). If you say 'ka shash ah' (as brockayders said), nobody will understand what you want. And, please, LP, why caipiroska is mentioned above the real caipirinha?? It's just a version of the drink, as sakerinha (caipirinha with sake) or other strange stuff people do when they are drunk.
28 April 2011 5:13AM sarahscard Report this comment
sorry, I made a mistake: cachaça is just destilled, not fermented!
24 June 2011 7:17PM mschaaf21 Report this comment
Don't forget Pisco from Peru! Mmmmmmm pisco sours!
2 July 2011 3:45AM thomaswamsteker Report this comment
Really don't understand why you guys like Guinness better than Belgian beer...
3 July 2011 6:00AM experiencetequila Report this comment
Regarding tequila, what on earth does "hit-the-wall stuff" mean?
Also, it is no longer true that all tequila is mescal. Mezcal now has its own denomination of origin.
Which always mezcal to also be made from 100% blue agave, though of course it can't be called tequila.
We always appreciate interest in tequila, especially tequila travel, but this piece is misleading at best. For more info, please visit or write us: www.ExperienceTequila.com Salud!
17 July 2011 10:12PM lostinmiles Report this comment
Port??? Anyone??
10 September 2011 3:16PM avranga Report this comment
Zivania(Fire water) in Cyprus.
10 September 2011 3:17PM avranga Report this comment
Raki in Turkey.
16 September 2011 2:32PM ftm29 Report this comment
How could you exclude Highland Scotch?
28 September 2011 8:31PM QueenofWonderland Report this comment
IF your looking at england, there is some really good vinyards these days, also all the real ales, decent cloudy cider, and there are still some good gin producers.
Best Vodka i had in poland was homebrew it was stunning!
8 October 2011 1:15PM sibiriak Report this comment
Caipirinha (the original) made ON the beach; any beach; in Brasil. Sit back and enjoy, and watch the girls go by!!!!
29 October 2011 10:21PM renegadebadger Report this comment
Guinness is a fairly average mass-produced stout and does not deserve its inclusion here. Not only that, but over the years the company has very successfully crushed any small independent brewers so that Irish drinkers are offered the same four or five crappy beers in nearly every pub, while across the water in England beer fans are spoilt for choice.
If you're in Dublin and you want a decent pint in a proper pub, try Mulligans in Stoneybatter http://www.lmulligangrocer.com/
9 December 2011 1:14AM erinfitzpatrick1988 Report this comment
everyone has their own opinion about what "the best" is. Everyone's taste is different.
I can attest to the Becherovka from Czech Republic. Having lived there for over a year, I drank my fair share of the stuff. After a long day of huffing around the city in the dead of winter, this (along with Slivovice) is a nice welcome to warm the body. It's worth a try!:)
10 December 2011 2:20AM richiavo Report this comment
Italian grappa is missing, especially a nice smooth grappa di montalcino, and why I am on the italian theme how about Pro Secco far better than champagne on nice warm summer afternoon
8 February 2012 4:42PM joaop Report this comment
vicjat: Cachaça is rum. It's also sugar cane spirit. Basicaly, it's only the word that is different.
8 February 2012 4:47PM joaop Report this comment
The article must fit into the magical number 10, but there are many other peculiar kinds of booze. Given that it shouldn't have 2 articles about Czech booze. One would be enough.
What about lesser known, say, Moldavian or Georgian wines? What about the Greek Ouzo? What about the Portuguese fortified wines - Porto and Madeira?
8 February 2012 4:49PM joaop Report this comment
And Bulgarian Rakya?
13 February 2012 4:52AM dbiggs Report this comment
A hot Tumba on a freezing cold night in a sherpa village in Nepal has to be the best drink ever!
13 February 2012 5:54AM ekimna Report this comment
And Shochu - anyone know food bars for this Japanese spirit?
13 February 2012 5:55AM ekimna Report this comment
I meant good bars, but food bars would be fine also!
16 February 2012 7:27AM buenascosasgt Report this comment
There is nothing better in the entire world than Ron Zacapa Centenario, aged 23 years. A couple shots, poured over three ice cubes, swirl gently 12 times and sip it slowly. Guatemala makes the best rum in the entire world!
6 March 2012 11:22AM cuethesun Report this comment
No Pisco from Peru? Sorry, you guys need to keep travelling.
6 March 2012 12:32PM megaadventures Report this comment
For the best beers in the world, check out earthbeer.net
6 March 2012 5:35PM redape24 Report this comment
BeerLao is, without a doubt, the best beer in the world (and I'm Australian!)
6 March 2012 7:11PM hotelier123 Report this comment
Kesar Kasturi, The Royal Liqueur of Rajasthan, India. A Drink to be savoured. Its production fell drastically as princely families were banned from producing it by Government Fiat , after Indian independence. Enjoying a revival now.
6 March 2012 10:24PM dantheman7878 Report this comment
Absinthe is from Switzerland, not Czech Republic. please give correct info to us readers who like to have a drink.
6 March 2012 10:35PM ingelalex Report this comment
OUZO, TSIPOURO, TSIKOUDIA in Greece and for worst ROXY in NEPAL
6 March 2012 10:53PM nihaoxiongmao Report this comment
Craft beer in America is growing massively.
And then there's Bia Hoi in Vietnam! Amazing stuff.
6 March 2012 10:59PM shogun8 Report this comment
How about Angostura '1824 Limited Reserve' or '1919'Rum, or their more mainstream 'Royal Oak' brand from Trinidad & Tobago? All are more on the mellower / golden rather than dark part of the rum spectrum. Angostura produce rums for themselves and sell raw rum to over 140 countries for blending by their customers! Similarly 'Carib' lager from T&T is a seriously good beer especially if you are watching cricket or having a BBQ. (No I do not come from T&T or work for the producers I just admire and enjoy their products right here in the UK.)
6 March 2012 11:39PM mattmiller55 Report this comment
FYI, Absinthe originated from Switzerland and not the Czech Republic.
6 March 2012 11:49PM ignatos2 Report this comment
Strange, that you didn't mention Russia and Ukraine in this article. Russia and Ukraine are the most drinking countries. Maybe a special article is needed in this case :) ?
6 March 2012 11:49PM ignatos2 Report this comment
Strange, that you didn't mention Russia and Ukraine in this article. Russia and Ukraine are the most drinking countries. Maybe a special article is needed in this case :) ?
7 March 2012 12:02AM rmkmonk Report this comment
Surprised about Becherovka - it's horrible!
Worst drinks: any Spanish or Mexican beer, except possibly for Mahou or Crizcampo!
7 March 2012 12:09AM daniele19794 Report this comment
And what about italian wine? Like chianti?
7 March 2012 12:56AM thedird Report this comment
oh dear,......as others have stated absinthe is a swiss creation.... where did you get check republic from??
7 March 2012 1:04AM lutz_berlin Report this comment
A list without Scotch Whisky and German Beer is incomplete and cannot be taken serious. Ardbeg, Talisker, or Highland Park, plus Weihenstephan. And I miss Demarara rum. Becherovka is nice, but not Top Ten at all. Best Absinth is moonshine Absinth from Val-de-Travers, the place where it was made first.
7 March 2012 3:09AM lonelyitalywalker Report this comment
A local favorite on the Amalfi Coast: finocchietto !
But also the drink that most foreigners know : limoncello !!!
By the way, this name is a protected name and can only be used for the 'real stuff' - produced on the Amalfi Coast.
7 March 2012 3:12AM sunball Report this comment
I miss the Hungarian palinka from this list...
7 March 2012 3:28AM serranoham Report this comment
rmkmonk says "Worst drinks: any Spanish or Mexican beer, except possibly for Mahou or Crizcampo!"
Afraid you're way out of date. Cruzcampo's Gran Reserva won the World Beer Award's 'World's Best Strong Lager'in 2009, its first year of production. Voll Damm, brewed in Barcelona, runs it a very close second. And there's nothing wrong - nor particularly right - with Spain's bog standard lagers such as San Miguel, Amstel and - as you grudgingly mention - Mahou.
7 March 2012 3:32AM kunmingirl Report this comment
I must differ; BeerLao might well be the worst beer in the world - though not having yet tasted them all I can't be sure. A nice cool Qingdao in China though, that's delicious!
7 March 2012 3:36AM wrinkles45 Report this comment
No mention of a mojito IN Havana! Maybe it's not so much the drink, as the live bands in every corner bar & the ever-present jinteros...
7 March 2012 4:36AM paullegere Report this comment
Cachaça and rum are NOT one and the same with a different name. Cachaça is distilled fermented whole sugar cane juice. Rum is distilled fermeted molasses, which itself is a by-product of sugar cane juice, leftover after the sugar has been extracted.
7 March 2012 4:37AM newenglander2 Report this comment
There have been plenty of complaints about the list, but here's one more: In Latin America there are four superb mixed drinks, all based on a balance of sweet and sour, and none of them made the list. I'm referring to caipininha (Brazil), daiquiri (Cuba, Puerto Rico), margarita (Mexico), and pisco sour (Peru). They're all champions, IMHO.
7 March 2012 4:42AM antagoca77 Report this comment
Rakija from serbia and Toddy from Kerala,India worth the mention too :).Kudos for such a delicate article.
7 March 2012 4:52AM rainsua Report this comment
Sherry in Spain anyone???
7 March 2012 5:47AM jacquiewhitt Report this comment
Just landed in Lima. Will be slurping Pisco sours shortly!
7 March 2012 5:57AM viajes_de_sadie Report this comment
I know it's been said already, but Portland, Oregon has some seriously good beers. Really, all over the states there are a lot of good micros. Yum!
7 March 2012 6:04AM joshue Report this comment
what about "pisco" from Chile and Peru?
7 March 2012 6:10AM jauneisthecolour Report this comment
and Ricard in France?
7 March 2012 7:00AM goldblum Report this comment
How about Hungarian Tokaji wine?
7 March 2012 8:35AM milena87 Report this comment
very surprised that there are barely any eastern european countries mentiones.
Have you not tried rakija in Serbia? that is the stuff worth trying and writting about.
Also very suprised Russian vodka wasnt mentioned or the cuban mojito.
7 March 2012 8:43AM newsonp Report this comment
Ha ha. Never seen so much emotion towards a LP best of. Wonder what that says about us.
7 March 2012 9:34AM rmkmonk Report this comment
By the way, Sunball, Palinca comes mainly from Romania. I have drunk (is that the right word?) it many times, and as you probably know, the best is always home made.
7 March 2012 9:37AM rmkmonk Report this comment
Re serranoham, I think you make my point, and of course, it is only a personal list. I don't think Spain nor Mexico can make beers on a par with anything from Bavaria, or the Czech Republic. Have you tried Pilsner Urquell tankovna (unpasteurised)? It's wonderful!
7 March 2012 9:55AM rmkmonk Report this comment
Personally I find it strange that sake tops this list as I have found it to be an unexciting drink. On the other hand, Japanese single malt whisky is very good!
7 March 2012 12:48PM claudeballoune Report this comment
OK- some brief nitpicking: 1. Sake is not a wine. It's a beer. Wine is made from fruit. E.G. grapes, etc (wine=vin=vino=vine) Beers are made from grain, such as barley, rye, wheat, or... RICE. 6. >>Though native to Brazil, you should be able to walk into many bars around the world << huh? No. I'm sorry- I am NOT a native of Brazil. But I will walk into bars around the world, as is my wont.
Well, at least you didn't employ excessive apostrophe's - my prime peeve. -Claude. - Bar-fly and inspirational speaker. Next round is on me!
7 March 2012 4:18PM bsiemaszko Report this comment
Polish spiritus, home made is definitely worth a go but not for the faint hearted!! If you want something not so hardcore, try Wisnowka. Definitely agree - Zoladkowa gorzka is the stuff. Much better than Zobrowka!!
7 March 2012 11:55PM jillbayne Report this comment
What about RUM, no mention of the world's first and greatest rum, Mount Gay developed in 1703 in Barbados. I mean, come on.
8 March 2012 1:31AM nicabbq Report this comment
Yes where is the RUM!? Nicaragua is producing a great rum, Flor de Cana, Cuba has a great line including Matusalem and the rest of the Caribbean has some winners as mentioned before.
8 March 2012 7:11PM adine Report this comment
ah yes flor de cana best rum ever from nicaragua! my friend gave up drinking and for years now has an unopened bottle in his drinks cabinet.we are planning to rob him :) just thought id add a lighthearted touch.
8 March 2012 10:35PM habus Report this comment
Who's the author of this anyway? This article needs a HUGE fix for the point #4 - Absinthe.
- It's not from Czech Republic! - The stuff displayed in the picture is not absinthe AT ALL.
And a note for the author: Get some info about what you're writing!
9 March 2012 5:02AM vancouverite74 Report this comment
Absinthe is indeed Czech. Czech Style absinthe has much less anise. Most are distilled from wormwood and other herbs just like the any other absinthe.
Just like Vodka comes from and is produced in many countries besides Poland and Russia. All of it is still called Vodka, regardless as to where it's from.
Czech Absinthe happens to be the best selling absinthe Canada Wide among all the other French/Swiss Style absinthe. It was also the first absinthe available in North America in 2001 and Hill's Absinthe (a Czech Absinthe) was the first absinthe that started the renewed interest in Absinthe back in 1998. The famous "absinthe drinker" painting from 1901 in Slavia Cafe, Prague was painted by Viktor Oliva a Czech Painter, showing a historic tradition of absinthe drinking in Prague....
9 March 2012 9:32AM sherrywine_69 Report this comment
Salmiakki Koskenkorva from Finland
12 March 2012 1:40AM kamalemba Report this comment
Weird list which makes you wonder about the criteria used for selection (e.g. George Dickel among the ten best drinks worldwide- author most be kidding or he's from US and has to show his patriotism? / Belgian beer -with "atrocities" like strawberry beer this must be a joke, if you want to have quality in your glass then replace it by German or Czech beer). However, entertaining discussion with many well justified alternative proposals. Definitely, rum is missing. Fully agree with nicabbq and adine about Flor de Cana - best rum in the world, even beating Venezuelan Pampero or Jamaica's Appleton. Surely, there are many other alcoholic drinks deserving to be mentioned for either quality or originality, sometimes both. In that sense, a list of "ten best..." can not be exhaustive, even a "twenty best..." would leave out many quality drinks. Anyhow, great idea to pick alcoholic drinks as a topic for your weekly "ten best..." list as demonstrated by the large number of comments....
14 March 2012 7:40AM RicardoEchague Report this comment
What about PISCO from Chile and Pisco sour from Perú ?? you're missing out some fine drinks !
4 April 2012 11:24PM daydreamfarmer Report this comment
American Microbrews are awesome. Every style you can imagine. If you like hoppy beers US microbreweries can't be beat. Especially those in the Western US.