Lately, we are getting used to hear tourists going crazy to drink a sangria, a Tinto de Verano, or any other famous Spanish drink, but what they probably don´t know is that there are many other delicious drinks.
Of course, those two are also delicious, but don´t stop on the common Spanish drinks. Be creative and try other not so popular drinks!
1) Tinto de Verano
Of course, we needed to start this list of typical Spanish drinks with the one Spaniards enjoy the most, the famous Tinto de Verano.
For the ones who still don´t know about it, Tinto de Verano literally means “Red Wine of Summer” and although it´s true that this drink is very typical during the summer months, you can drink it whenever you want.
2) Sangria
The famous drink of Spain, that absolutely everyone knows about, is the Sangria. You probably didn´t know it, but the Sangria is just the touristy version of the “Summer red wine”.
Sangria is served in many festivals, beach bars and touristic areas, but once you truly meet the locals, you will realise that the one everyone drink in Spain is the Tinto.
3) Spanish Cider (Sidra)
On third place, another Spanish alcoholic drink, but in this case, is not as famous as the ones we have mentioned before, it´s the Spanish Cider.
The Spanish Cider (known as Sidra in Spanish), is a typical drink from the north of Spain, being more specific from Asturias. It´s totally different from the ciders you may be used to, generally ciders are sweet and fizzy, but the Asturian Cider is tart and dry.
This local Spanish drink is fun and interesting, as its normally poured from a foot above the glass, that way, it reduces the acidity.
4) Cava
If you are a fan of the famous French Champagne, then we can guarantee you that you will also love the Spanish Cava.
Cava is a Spanish version of the Champagne, and its taste is very similar, but some people even prefer cava as it´s way cheaper.
Something you probably didn´t know about this famous drink from Spain, is that 95% of the cava´s production comes from the Penedès region of Catalonia. You can also find it in other regions like Extremadura, Valencia, Basque Country, or La Rioja.
5) Vermouth
The ones who have not been in Spain, probably don´t know about the Vermouth, as it is more known locally than out of the country.
Vermouth is becoming very popular lately and there are even bars and restaurants that have specialized in making Vermouth events, bringing their own recipes.
This alcoholic Spanish drink is a sweet wine that can be either red or white (generally reed) and it´s served with an olive or a slice of orange. You will normally drink it at “Vermouth time” (which is around midday), since it´s used as an aperitif before lunch time.
6) Spanish beer…better known as CERVEZA
Of course, beers are not originally from Spain, but still, Spanish people love to drink it everyday as if they invented it.
To order a beer in Spain, you will have to ask for a caña (small size) or a tubo (bigger size). Cervezas are always eaten with tapas, is not that you are not allowed to drink a beer by itself but is just the way Spanish people do it. The most common tapas to eat with a beer are olives, nuts, or potato chips.
The most famous beer brands are Estrella Damm, San Miguel, Cruzcampo, Mahou and Alhambra.
7) Clara
Another even more refreshing variation of the Spanish beer is the clara, which is as simple as mixing a beer with lemon.
The clara is much lighter than a normal beer, it´s very common during the summer months.
Normally Spanish locals drink it at lunch time or to share it with other tapas like octopus or ham.
8) Horchata
If you are looking for a non-alcoholic Spanish drink, we totally recommend you trying the Horchata.
The horchata, also known as orxata in Valencian, where is originally from, is a fresh drink typical for the summer.
If you are wondering about its taste, we can already tell you that its very similar to an almond milk. It´s made with tiger nuts and sometimes is mixed with cinnamon.
9) Granizado
The granizado is made with crashed ice and mixed with fruit juices, is very simple and you will see them at every single “chiringuito” (beach shop) at the beach during your holidays.
Although the “Granizado de limón” is the one considered one of the most popular drinks in Spain, you can have it of all kinds of fruits. The strawberry, the orange and the watermelon granizados are the most common flavours.
10) Coffee
Although the coffee known all over the world is from Italy, the people who have been in Spain always have the same argument as they believe Spanish coffee is like Italian or even better.
There are so many types that you will for sure find the one you are looking for. You can choose coffee with milk, espresso, with ice, carajillo (with a pinch of brandy, whisky or rum) or the cortado, which is an Spanish speciality known for being served on a tiny glass and having a small portion of espresso and a small amount of steamed milk.
The national drink of Spain
Although there is nothing officially considered the national alcoholic drink of Spain, many people would say is the Spanish sherry wine (also known as vino de Jerez).
Of course, when talking about the Spanish national drink, we could name many of them because of their popularity. Some good examples would be the Rioja wine or the sangria.
Facts about the traditional Spanish beverages
That´s some of the most important information about the drinks in Spain, but there are also some other interesting facts you may enjoy:
- ⚱ Did you know that 15% of the world´s vineyards are in Spain?? It´s the country with a more covered area with vineyards.
- ⚱ Spain is the number 5 on the list of exporters of wine to the United States. Just after Italy, Australia, France and Chile.
- ⚱ Although most of the famous wines in Spain are red wines, the vineyards are of white grapes on its majority