The most popular beverages in the world by country

Have you ever wondered which is the most popular beverage in the world? When it comes to the most consumed drinks around the world, tea has to be at the very top of the list. Tea was discovered nearly 5,000 years ago in ancient China. Emperor Shen Nung made this discovery while boiling water in the garden when a leaf from an overhanging wild tea tree drifted into his pot.

The simplicity and diversity of tea have made it a preferred international beverage across cultures. Whether you’re looking for a hot beverage to warm up or unwind, tea often hits the spot. Tea can be made with endless different herbs, can add numerous flavors and can also have countless healing properties.

However, aside from tea being the most popular beverage in the world, alcoholic beverages are quite popular and can vary greatly from culture to culture. One of the main reasons we travel is to experience the different cultures, and we’ve rounded up some of the most popular drinks – as in adult beverages – from around the world. So, next time you are looking to take the edge off your long day, give one of these other popular drinks a try.

Sake – Japan

Sake is widely known as Japan’s national drink, which is pronounced “sa-keh." It is believed that Japan has been making sake in one form or another for more than 2,000 years. Sake is an alcoholic beverage brewed by fermenting rice. The rice is converted from starch to sugar, which is then followed by a conversion to alcohol.

Sake is usually served chilled, at room temperature or heated, depending on the drinker’s preference, the sake’s characteristics and the current season. Sake is often served traditionally, where it is poured into vessels or ceramic flasks known as “tokkuri" and sipped from a small porcelain cup called a “sakazuki."

Piña colada – Puerto Rico

“Piña colada” literally means “strained pineapple.” It’s a sweet cocktail made with rum, coconut milk and pineapple juice, usually served either blended or on the rocks. It may be garnished with either a pineapple wedge, maraschino cherry or both. The cocktail became famous worldwide with the release of Rupert Holmes’ hit song “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)." The Piña Colada brings you closer to warm island beaches, laying in a hammock and the feeling of fresh ocean air on your face and the wind blowing through your hair. Making a Piña Colada is quite easy and a simple recipe can have you sipping this island drink in just five minutes.

Mojito – Cuba

Havana, Cuba is the birthplace of the mojito. This cocktail is named after a Cuban seasoning and was invented by Sir Francis Drake. Mojito is a traditional Cuban cocktail that has exploded in popularity all over the world. A classic Mojito often consists of five ingredients: white rum, sugar, lime, soda water and fresh mint. It’s a perfect combination of sweetness, citrus and mint flavors that complement the rum, making this an enjoyable summer drink.

Tequila – Mexico

Tequila is a distilled spirit made from the agave plant. Similar to region-specific drinks like Champagne and Cognac, Tequila is only produced in designated areas of Mexico. Today, tequila is considered one of the most popular beverages in the world, and it’s the most-consumed drink in Mexico and the United States. Tequila is an essential ingredient in margaritas and tequila shots are famously present in wild drinking stories around the world. Hence the saying “one tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.” However, tequila is diverse and can be mixed in a number of different concoctions. National Tequila day is celebrated on July 24.

Cider – England

Cider is an alcoholic beverage made from fermenting the juice of apples. The largest volume of cider is produced in England. Ciders from the South West of England are generally considered stronger. Cider has been produced for more than 2000 years in different temperate areas of the world where apple trees flourish. Cider is also famous in many Commonwealth countries, such as Canada, Australia and India. The natural sweetness of cider makes this one of the most popular beverages in the world.

Champagne – France

Champagne is a French sparkling wine. Champagne is the diamond of the drink world, considered as the beverage to have when celebrating pretty much anything and everything. Champagne is also a protected beverage, and it’s illegal to use the name on anything unless it came from the Champagne wine region of France and is produced under the rules of the appellation. Sparkling wines produced outside of this region, like Prosecco or Cava, are also quite popular, but cannot be mistaken for a true Champagne from France.

Sangria – Spain

Sangria is an alcoholic beverage that originated in Spain and Portugal. A classic sangria consists of red wine and chopped fruits, often mixed with other ingredients or spirits. Sangria is one of the most refreshing drinks in the world and very popular in Spanish cuisine. It is traditionally served in bars, restaurants and at festivities throughout Portugal and Spain.

Caipirinha – Brazil

Caipirinha is Brazil’s strongest national drink, made with cachaça (a sugarcane hard liquor), lime, and sugar. Caipirinha is one of the most refreshing and perfect go-to summer drinks around the world.  The drink is prepared with a purely Brazilian spirit by mixing the fruit and the sugar together, then adding the liquor and served on the rocks with fresh wedges of lime. It is also commonly used as a tonic to combat the common cold and the Spanish Flu.

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