10 Mexican drinks at a glance

Mexican drinking and eating culture is not only found in the Latin American country, but is also becoming increasingly popular around the world. Everyone is familiar with tequila , but Mexican drinks, such as certain beers and wines, are also gaining popularity outside of the country. For locals, there are a number of non-alcoholic Mexican beverages that are popular and showcase the country's history and culture . Many drinks are part of everyday life, festivals and celebrations in Mexico. Sometimes sweet, sometimes bitter , sometimes cold, sometimes hot - the selection is as varied as the country itself.

In some areas of Mexico, people drink more Coca-Cola than water. There are various reasons for this, including the poor supply of healthy and clean drinking water in many regions. The so-called "Mexican Coke" or "Mexicoke" is one of the most popular non-alcoholic Mexican drinks. Locally produced cola differs in composition from regular cola. Cane sugar is used for production and less of it compared to the US country of origin. The Mexicoke has only a third of the sugar content. It should also taste spicier. The bottle itself is also a special feature. Its design is reminiscent of the cola bottles of the past. Outside the US, the bottles are popular for the nostalgic factor alone.

Agua Fresca is a genuine Mexican national drink. Translated it means "fresh water". Agua fresca consists of water, sugar and fruit. There is no specific recipe for this soft drink, the actual ingredients, ingredients and ratio of fruit and sugar may vary by region and even family. It consists primarily of purified water, plus fresh fruit or freshly squeezed juice, as well as sugar and ice cubes. The right refreshment on a hot day. Mexicans often use watermelons, cantaloupe, mangoes or pineapple. If you are in Mexico after an agua fresca, then make sure that the water is really fresh and purified.

Atole is one of the Mexican drinks that you drink hot. It consists of corn and water, spices and milk are added for the taste. Other additives include cinnamon, vanilla, cane sugar or chocolate, the combination with the latter being called champurrado. The consistency ranges from mushy to watery. It's a tradition in Mexico to serve this hot drink with tamales during the winter months, especially around Christmas or during the pre-Christmas Las Posadas.

First things first: Desperados is not a Mexican national drink. This type of beer originally comes from France, the Mexican-Spanish touch is just marketing. Typical Mexican drinks from the beer sector are called Corona, Sol, Salitos, Cerverza (literally "beer"), or Pacifico. Corona is the country's most successful brand, followed by Sol. Usually they are rather easy. The fourth most popular beer in the world, Corona is brewed from water, hops, yeast, corn, rice and malted barley.

Mexicans like to drink a lot of beer. Along with tequila, it is one of the most commonly consumed alcoholic beverages in Mexico. Incidentally, the Germans are to blame for this. German immigrants brought beer brewing to Mexico in the 19th century, turning the country into a global exporter. What is particularly local, however, is to serve the beer with lime juice. Then there is the drinking style called "Michelada", a cocktail drink made from light beer, salt and chilli powder, soy sauce, tomato juice and Worcestershire sauce.

Not many people associate typical Mexican drinks with wine. Wine growing in Mexico has a long tradition. The Spanish conquerors already planted the first vineyards. First and foremost, viticulture takes place in the Baja California region. The Mediterranean climate makes it possible, as well as the drought and the high altitudes, even if this area is below the 30th parallel. With the Fiesta de la Vendimia (“Festival of the Grape Harvest”) and the Ruta del Vino (“Wine Route”), this region attracts tourists from all over the world.

In the meantime, viticulture in Mexico has become highly professional and Mexican wines also enjoy a good reputation in Europe. The most planted grapes include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Tempranillo.

A list of typical Mexican drinks would not be complete without tequila. This is a special form of the agave distillate mezcal . Similar to beer in Germany, special rules apply to the production of tequila , monitored by the Consejo Regulardor del Tequila. This alcoholic drink may only come from the five regions of Jalisco, Najarit, Tamaulipas, Michoacan and Guanajuato. The main ingredient is only the agave, a lily plant. Basically, tequila consists of a flower. The cultivation of this plant is strictly monitored by the authorities, which makes tequila the most strictly controlled spirit. Only the young and cheap tequila is drunk with salt and lime or a glass of sangrita. The high-quality, old tequilas, on the other hand, can also be drunk neat at room temperature.

Mezcal is a traditional Mexican national drink. This schnapps is made from the pulp of various agaves and is subject to strict regulations. Traditional methods are used in the production, which were introduced by the Spanish conquerors. The production is much less industrial than tequila. It is partly in the hands of small, village family businesses, the so-called Palenques. Only agaves originating from Mexico may be used for production. The alcohol content is usually between 36% and 55%. If you want to try the Mezcal yourself, then have a look at our online shop . Here you will find a large selection of high-quality agave spirits.

Meanwhile, pulque is no longer one of the most commonly drunk Mexican drinks. It was once reserved for Aztec priests, who considered it the blood of the gods and used it primarily in religious ceremonies. The pulque drink is also made from agave, but rather from its heavily fermented juice. It is still drunk in the country in so-called “pulquerías”. Here the pub owners prepare it fresh. You shouldn't drink it otherwise.

Mexico is one of the world's leading coffee growers, primarily for coffee varieties from the Arabica-Maragogype bean. These so-called elephant beans have a juicy, soft and strongly aromatic smell. The pick-me-up effect of these Mexican drinks is extremely strong. The state of Chiapas, Oaxaca and Veracruz are among the largest growing areas.

Coffee has only been cultivated in Mexico since the 19th century. At the same time, the Mexicans are pioneers in the cultivation of purely organic coffee. Particularly high-quality coffees may bear the name attribute "Altura". A Mexican specialty is the café de olla ("coffee from the clay pot") along with brown sugar and cinnamon, drunk from old clay cups.

Cocoa belonged to the typical South American and typical Mexican drinks. Many legends and myths are entwined around the dark brown gold, as are old traditions. The ancient Maya only cultivated cocoa in sacred groves, traces of which can even be found today in the Yucatan. Typical Mexican cocoa always includes some cinnamon powder and cane sugar. The latter goes back to the Spaniards, who thought the Aztec drink was too bitter. The Maya themselves consumed the hot chili chocolate. Today, the cocoa beans are traditionally ground on a metatette and added to various sauces and drinks. In a few regions, cocoa is still enjoyed cold in the form of a chocolate drink called pozol.