Local drinks worth trying beyond the usual choices

Local drinks often tell you more about a place than a famous dish does, because they belong to everyday routines: a morning tea, an afternoon refreshment, or a drink shared around a table. Trying them is easiest when you know a few names, understand how they are served and ask a server a couple of simple questions. The reward is a drink you could not have found at home, and often a better sense of the rhythm of local life.

Start with traditional hot drinks

Hot drinks are often the first local habit visitors notice. In Turkey, tea is served in small tulip-shaped glasses, usually strong and often with sugar on the side. In Morocco, sweet mint tea is poured from a height so it becomes frothy, and it is offered as a gesture of welcome in many homes and cafes. In Argentina and Uruguay, yerba mate is prepared in a gourd and drunk through a metal straw, and it is typically shared in a circle, passed from one person to the next.

Shared drinks come with simple etiquette. With mate, the person who prepares the gourd usually drinks first and then passes it on. If you do not want more, say gracias when it comes back to you, which signals that you are finished. Hot glasses and metal cups can be warm to hold, so wait a moment before you lift one to your mouth.

Try regional cold drinks

Cold drinks reveal regional tastes just as clearly. In Turkey, ayran is a salted yogurt drink often served with grilled food, and it pairs well with spiced dishes. In India and Pakistan, lassi is made from yogurt blended with water, and it can be sweet or salted depending on the region. In Spain, horchata made from tiger nuts is traditionally associated with Valencia, while in much of Mexico horchata is usually made from rice and cinnamon. The same name can describe quite different drinks, so ask what is in the glass before you order.

Fruit and grain drinks are a good choice in hot weather. Many cities have stalls that sell fresh fruit or grain drinks, which may be sweetened to taste. Ask for less sugar if you prefer a lighter drink. Watching the drink being made shows whether water or ice goes in, which matters where water quality is uncertain. Ask whether the fruit is fresh or the drink comes from a syrup, since the two taste quite different and the answer helps you judge how sweet the drink will be.

Learn the regional sodas and soft drinks

Many countries have locally made soft drinks with flavors such as ginger, tamarind, lemon or local fruit. These sodas can be very sweet, and some are sold in glass bottles that are returned for a deposit. Look for a local brand on a shop shelf or at a small corner store, and ask the shopkeeper which one is the most popular with local families. Their answer will usually point you to a drink that is not sold in tourist shops.

Sugarcane juice, sold from street carts in parts of South and Southeast Asia, is another regional favorite. The juice is pressed fresh and is often served with lime or ginger. Cane juice starts to lose its freshness soon after pressing, so choose a cart where the cane is pressed as you order. Some vendors serve it in reusable cups, so look for a stall that appears to keep its cups clean.

Ask the right questions when ordering a drink

Start by pointing at the drink and saying its name, then ask two questions: what is in it, and is it sweet? If you need a version with less sugar, say "less sweet, please" and show the amount with your fingers. Ask whether a drink is served hot or cold, since the same name may refer to either. Phrases such as "the local one" or "the house one" can help when you do not know the name. Some cafes and stalls offer a small size, which is an easy way to test an unfamiliar flavor before committing to a large glass. A server who understands the question will usually recommend something that suits your taste.

If you avoid dairy or have another dietary need, ask about milk and yogurt before you order, because many traditional drinks use them. Ask whether a drink contains alcohol if you are not sure, since some sweet-looking local drinks do.

Check the alcohol rules and local styles

Local beers and spirits are worth trying, but check the rules and the strength before you order. Legal drinking ages vary by country, and many places have strict rules about drinking in public or driving after any drink. Start with a small glass if you do not know a spirit's strength.

Beer offers a good example of local style. In Cologne, Germany, Kölsch is served in small cylindrical glasses called Stangen, and the server typically keeps bringing a fresh glass until you place a coaster on top of yours to signal you are finished. Ask the server how the local style is served before you start. Local wine and spirits carry their own customs too, and a short conversation with the staff is usually the fastest way to learn them.

Choose water and ice carefully

Drinks made with water deserve the same care as the food. In places where tap water is not considered safe to drink, use sealed bottled water for drinking and for brushing your teeth. Water that has been boiled and allowed to cool is another option where you have the means to do so. Be cautious with ice, since it is often made from the local supply, and ask whether a drink has ice before you order it.

Fresh juices, smoothies and lemonades can carry the same risk if they are diluted with tap water or made with ice from an unknown source. Where tap water is a concern, ask for drinks without ice or choose sealed drinks. If you have a health condition that makes you more vulnerable to waterborne illness, speak with a doctor or travel health clinic before you go.

Try one new drink each day, starting with the one local people order most often, and keep a note of the names you enjoyed so you can find them again.