7 signature cocktails to try when you travel around the world

For the perfect way to warm up on a cold winter’s night, there is nothing completely wonderful than sipping a perfectly crafted cocktail at a local bar while you soak in the sights, sounds and smells of your new surroundings. Read on for 7 signature cocktails you must try when travelling around the world.

GLÖGG – SWEDEN

Glögg is the Swedish version of mulled wine traditionally made with vodka, red wine, oranges, raisins, mulling spices (like cinnamon and anise star) and sugar. This cocktail is so firmly established as an essential part of Swedish culture that the spices are now added to perfectly good wine. A far cry from mulled wine in other countries, almonds and raisins are always placed in the bottom of the glass before the glögg is added. This spiced beverage is usually served in quite small glasses to prevent overindulgence and topped with dried fruit or nuts.

CAIPIRINHA – BRAZIL

Are you a beverage aficionado? If so, try this refreshing cocktail when you have the chance to visit Brazil. Originated on farms in the São Paulo state for social gatherings and parties, Caipirinha is actually a rum-like liquor made from sugar cane juice and topped with muddled slices of lime. In addition to the traditional lime version, Maracuja (passion fruit) and Morango (strawberry) intrigue many foodies with their fresh flavours. Before heading into the samba clubs, grab a cheap Caipirinha from the street carts, this popular cocktail has a taste that you will never forget.

PISCO SOUR – PERU

When visiting Peru, Pisco Sour is a popular cocktail to try and also a delicious option to remember your trip. The original Pisco Sour dates back to the 1700s, but the cocktail as we know it today was invented in the 1920s in a bar in Lima and includes four ingredients, lime juice, simple syrup, an egg white and its base liquor, Pisco, is a type of brandy made from fermented grape juice. A bit tart yet bright and frothy, Pisco Sour is the perfect drink as a pre-dinner cocktail to pair along with a chicken dish.

MARGARITA – A POPULAR COCKTAIL IN MEXICO

If there is a cocktail that you can always order when going out for dinner, it is the Margarita. This beverage combines tequila and lime juice for a refreshing drink that pairs perfectly with savoury Mexican food or can be sipped by itself on Mexico’s sandy shores. Besides the classic Margarita, you can find it made with different fruit flavours such as strawberry, tamarind, watermelon or hibiscus. If you are travelling in Mexico, make sure to try this delicious beverage for the end of the day at a bar or restaurant with a fantastic sunset coming into view.

MOJITO – A DELIGHTFUL COCKTAIL IN CUBA

One of the most delightful cocktail flavours around the world is Mojito from Cuba. Legend has it that native Indians used a form of rum called ‘Aguardiente’ mixed with sugar cane, lime juice and mint to cure certain diseases. These are all the ingredients that go into a Mojito. In terms of its name, many believed that it derived from ‘mojo’ (pronounced ‘moho’), which is the word in Spanish for a sauce used to marinade many Cuban style dishes.

PIMM’S CUP – UNITED KINGDOM

A quintessential English summer drink, Pimms itself is a gin-based fruity liquor that was created by the fishmonger James Pimm in the 1840s. The elaborate cocktail is made with sparkling lemonade and topped with whatever fruit you can fit in the glass like strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, orange slices and a few sprigs of mint. Picture the scene – it is a beautiful summer day and you are sitting in a beer garden with your friends, indulging yourself in the music and sipping a fresh jug of Pimms.

SINGAPORE SLING – THE BEST COCKTAIL IN SINGAPORE

Invented in a hotel bar in 1915, Singapore Sling has delighted drinkers for many years and is the best national cocktail in Singapore which is the perfect combination of sweet, sour and tropical flavours. The original recipe is attributed to Ngiam Tong Boon as he set out to create a fruity, colourful cocktail that looked like juice, but cleverly concealed gin and herbal liqueur. One sip of this star drink and you are transported to the top of Marina Bay Sands and feel the romance of Singapore in the air.

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