Best Mexican Drinks You Must Try
Mexican gastronomy is best known for dishes such as tacos or enchiladas, or its delicious guacamole, but different types of Mexican wine make this food one of the most complete and available pleasures in the world. Traditional Mexican drinks, alcoholic or not, are not limited to margaritas and tequila, although they are also delicious on their own. But there are many other flavors to try besides the two well-known drinks. There is almost a different drink to try for each region.
Best Drinks of Mexico To Try:
For any visitor to Mexico, you must try Mexican drinks, alcoholic or not, for a true cultural experience. Most people know the famous Mexican drink: Margarita. And if you travel to the south often, you may know that there are more varieties than the beautiful Mexican wines on the beach. Some of these “bebidas” are very local, others have received attention and you may not like them, but many are interesting. Mexico’s drinking legal age is 18 years old. Here we are enlisting some of the best Mexico Drinks you must try:
Margarita:
According to popular legend, Carlos Herrera was the first to invent the margarita in 1938 at his restaurant Rancho La Gloria in Tijuana, Mexico. Since then, mixologists have been creating their styles by experimenting with fruits and vegetables. The Margarita is the best Mexican cocktail drink and one that you can find anywhere in Mexico and any Mexican restaurant in Spain. Margarita is a versatile drink, the formal drink was a lemon drink. Nowadays, you can find different flavors like tamarind, pineapple or mango among others. The most important part of the Margarita is undoubtedly Tequila, which is combined with Cointreau, lemon and sugar.
Pina Colada:
Pina colada is a drink made with coconut cream, rum and pineapple juice. From this combination, a refreshing taste is obtained. It is also a common wine that you can enjoy in almost any restaurant or bar. It is one of the best drinks of Mexico you must try. This delicious combination is very energizing and good for improving your mood on hot days. Serve at brunch, parties and gatherings for a quick and delicious meal.
Paloma:
This drink is one of the most famous in Mexico. It is one of the best drink in Mexico you must try. Paloma is made with tequila, grapefruit and lime soda. The Paloma should be served in a hot salt glass with a cold rim and the drink should be drunk very cold. In Mexico, it is very popular to drink it before a meal or on a hot day, because it is a refreshing and delicious drink.
Atole:
If you’ve been in Mexico for a while, you’ll know that Atole is one of the most important meals of the day. It is among the traditional drinks of Mexico you must try. Made from a mixture of masa (hominy corn), piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar), and water with cinnamon for flavor and sometimes vanilla or chocolate mixed in; Atole is a hot breakfast drink in Mexico that helps start the day.
Aguas Frescas:
Freshly squeezed fruit juice is refreshing on a hot day. Common English translations of aguas frescas are “freshwater” or “pure water”. The typical agua fresca is a full-bodied drink made with water and fruit. It comes from street carts and usually costs less than one dollar USD per post, depending on the size of your cup.
Mexican Candy Shots:
The idea of Candy Shots comes from the busy streets of Mexico, where street vendors sell a variety of colorful and delicious candies. This drink recipe calls for watermelon schnapps, tequila, fresh lime juice, hot sauce, and Tajin for salt and pepper taste. It is one of the best Mexican candy drinks. This colorful recipe is based on the Mexican lollipop, a sweet favorite candy with a fruit center, the most popular types being watermelon, mango, and strawberry. Once the ingredients are mixed with ice, you will get a hot and very tasty shot.
Best Mexican Alcoholic Drinks:
Mexico is a country with many different regions that each produce different types of wine. Whether alcoholic or not, these traditional drinks in Mexico vary by region and season. Flavors from ingredients such as agave, corn and hibiscus provide many unique flavors that are not found in other countries. Here we are enlisting some of the best Mexican alcoholic drinks:
Tequila:
Tequila is the most famous of all Mexican drinks. It is exported all over the world and has three varieties: añejo, blanco and reposado. Tequila is made exclusively from the blue agave plant, which takes years to mature before being hand-picked by the jimadors. They take the heart of the agave tree and boil it, then process it, pour it and store it in barrels. The town of Tequila and its surrounding area in the state of Jalisco produces most of the tequila that is exported. In Mexico, tequila is a common drink before and after dinner and every celebration involves tequila. It is one of the most popular drinks of Mexico with alcohol.
Mezcal:
Mezcal is an alcoholic drink made from the agave plant, just like tequila. However, tequila comes from the blue agave plant, while mezcal comes from several other types of agave (called maguey). Mezcal has a smoky flavor that is retained during the fermentation process. Most mezcal is produced in Oaxaca and is exported only to the United States and Japan. People usually drink it as a shot with lime slices and gusano salt (salt mixed with crushed maguey worm).
Pulque:
Pulque is a milk-coloured alcoholic drink made from the sap of the fermented agave or maguey plant. Mexicans have been drinking this fermented drink since before the Hispanic era. Centuries ago, drinking this drink was banned, but today, this drink is served in Central Mexico, especially in the states of Tlaxcala and Hidalgo. To promote tourism, the state of Tlaxcala created the Pulque Road through the countryside which visitors can explore.
Carajillo:
Carajillo is the best drink for coffee lovers. It is a delicious drink that is loved to order as a dessert during dinner in a good restaurant. Carajillo is popular in many Spanish-speaking countries and each country serves it a little differently. In Mexico, this drink is usually a simple drink of freshly brewed coffee with Licor 43, a sweet Spanish liqueur with notes of citrus and vanilla. It is usually served over ice and provides just the right amount of flavor to top off a great Mexican dinner.
Racillia:
Like mezcal, in particular, raicilla is made from a variety of agave. It is originated in the southwestern region of the state of Jalisco a few hundred years ago. Raicilla has a complex flavor profile with smoky, mezcal flavors and fruity and floral notes. It can be colorless or purple, depending on the type of container used to mature the distilled product.
Tejuino:
Tejuino is a Mexican drink found in the states of Jalisco and Chihuahua. This drink is made from corn flour, water, piloncillo and lime juice. The piloncillo is cooked with sugar in water until it forms a thick liquid, and then it is left to ferment. Once fermentation begins, the liquid is poured into a glass filled with ice and mixed with lime juice. In some parts of Jalisco, such as Guadalajara, tejuino is served with a small can of lime sorbet.
Best Mexican Non-Alcoholic Drinks:
Everyone loves a margarita, but Mexican cuisine offers many drinks that go beyond the citrus juice of tequila. This list of best Mexican non-alcoholic drinks has something for everyone from refreshing fruit juices to hot cold drinks, if someone is desiring a non-alcoholic drink. These popular Mexican drinks are made without alcohol, so you can quench your thirst without tequila.
Horchata:
Horchata is a non-alcoholic rice drink from Mexico and is one of the best Mexican rice drinks. It is famous in Central America, Spain and Mexico. All these countries offer slightly different versions from each other. Although versions vary, Horchata in Mexico is usually a drink made from rice. This drink contains rice, toasted almonds, cinnamon sticks, brown sugar, salt and a little vanilla. All these are soaked in water for about 4 hours or overnight. This makes everything smooth, then when mixed, everything comes together. Pass it through a strainer and get a delicious sweet juice.
Agua de Jamaica:
Agua de Jamaica, translated as hibiscus water, is a non-alcoholic drink made from dried hibiscus flowers. Hibiscus flowers are steeped in hot water to make a tea that turns dark red. Sweeten the drink by adding sugar, then serve it over ice for a cool drink on a hot day. Adding sparkling water turns the tea into a carbonated drink. Hibiscus tea is caffeine-free and contains nearly enough vitamin C per serving, making it a refreshing drink.
Mexican Ponche:
Mexican Ponche is a traditional non-alcoholic drink served during the Christmas holidays. It is one of the most popular drinks of Mexico without alcohol. This Christmas ponche can be found all over the country during the holiday season, both in restaurants and at home. Many ingredients are used to make ponche, including tejocote fruit, apples, guavas, prunes, tamarind, sugar cane, cinnamon sticks, hibiscus flowers, whole cloves, sugar and piloncillo. Bring these to a boil in a large pot of water and heat it in a glass with some boiled fruit. Red wine or spirits, such as rum or brandy, can be added to the ponche, making it less sweet.
Atole:
If you’ve been in Mexico for a while, you’ll know that Atole is one of the most important drinks of the day. It is among the traditional non-alcoholic drinks of Mexico you must try. Made from a mixture of masa (hominy corn), piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar), and water with cinnamon for flavor and sometimes vanilla or chocolate mixed in; Atole is a hot breakfast drink in Mexico that helps start the day.
Mexican hot chocolate:
Mexican hot chocolate is different from the typical hot chocolate drink. This soft drink was created thousands of years ago and was drunk by the indigenous people who lived in pre-Hispanic Mexico. This drink is made with cocoa powder made into small pieces on a carved stone. Sugar, cinnamon and milk are the ingredients used to make Mexican hot chocolate. Adding chili powder can create a unique flavor profile in this delicious drink.
Champurrado:
Champurrado is similar to Mexican hot chocolate and is a creamy, rich, non-alcoholic drink, usually hot. This drink usually includes masa corn, cocoa, cinnamon, piloncillo sugar and milk. This strong drink was created thousands of years ago and was enjoyed by pre-Hispanic Mexicans. This drink is served during Day of the Dead and Christmas celebrations. In addition, champurrado and churros make a great breakfast or lunch.
To Conclude:
Mexico offers many delicious and varied drinks to suit all tastes and preferences. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing non-alcoholic drink, a sparkling wine, or a traditional Mexican specialty, these must-try drinks promise an unforgettable taste of Mexican culture and food scene. Each region of Mexico may have its unique drink, so be sure to explore and try as many as possible to experience the country’s rich drink culture.