Different beverages from around the world can be just as much fun to try as convenience store snacks. To follow-up our blog of favorite snacks, we couldn’t resist giving a special shout out to our favorite sodas and other non-alcoholic beverages that we discovered during our 20 months of travel. Here is our….well, I should put in a disclaimer that this is really my list because Jimmy is boring when it comes to sodas and prefers basic Coke ….but he definitely agrees with #1. So, here is Jimmy’s favorite drink and my Top 10 unique beverages from around the world:
10) Lychee drink (Myanmar)
I’m always sold on pretty much anything lychee flavored. On a hot day biking around the temples of Bagan, this sugary beverage was just what I needed. Jimmy actually went for a mystery Shark energy drink.
9) Mountain Dew Passion Fruit Frenzy (New Zealand)
This Mountain Dew variety is delicious and only available in New Zealand, so I had to add this unique tropical concoction to the list. The original Mountain Dew is always my favorite, but this variety comes in a close second. Similar to lychee, I’m also a huge fan of passion fruit.
8) Kombucha (Thailand)
Kombucha has been gaining popularity in the US, and I was totally surprised to see freshly brewed Kombucha in a local store in Thailand. The proceeds benefit Burmese refugees, so you couldn’t ask for a better way to lend a helping hand while enjoying a tasty beverage. I’m sure Jimmy would have enjoyed this Kombucha as well, but he had already left Thailand to start his new job when I managed to find this.
7) Basil Seed Lychee Drink (Laos)
Move over, Chia. Laos has created a similar almost “chewy” drink with the addition of basil seeds. And as mentioned previously, I’m a sucker for lychee.
6) Hokey Pokey milk (New Zealand)
Hokey Pokey is a popular ice cream flavor in New Zealand. Vanilla ice cream with honeycomb toffee…yum!!! Add Hokey Pokey-flavored milk to your oatmeal, and you have the breakfast of champions. Yeah…Jimmy was a huge fan of this one too.
5) Tahiti Drink (Bora Bora and Moorea)
You just can’t beat watching the sunset over the turquoise lagoon in Bora Bora while sipping on Tahiti drink. This beverage is a bit of a cheat on this list because it is alcoholic. But, being sold by the carton and mostly being tropical fruit juice, I let this one slide in. We also BOTH enjoyed this on our honeymoon 14 years ago, so this beverage holds a special place in our hearts.
4) Inca Kola (Peru)
Bright yellow Inca Kola is not my favorite beverage but had to make the list due to sheer uniqueness. The flavor is reminiscent of bubble gum with a hint of cotton candy.
3) Manzana Postabon (Colombia)
After bright yellow soda comes hot pink. Postabon is on every street corner billboard, on the sides of buses, and on professional sports jerseys in Colombia. One easily gets convinced this is the coolest drink ever. Strangely, the hot pink soda is actually an apple flavor.
2) Hawaii (Morocco)
Move over, Mt. Dew. I may have found a new favorite soda. I became addicted to this tropical fruit blend soda while in Morocco and found it quite refreshing after a day spent riding camels in the desert or wandering the medina.
1) Pocari Sweat (Japan)
Japan just knows how to do everything right. This sports drink has a mild grapefruit flavor. Pocari Sweat is refreshing after a day strolling the temples in Kyoto or especially good at hydrating an individual that spent a long night out drinking in the fancy bars in Tokyo. Overly sweet Gatorade has nothing on Pocari Sweat. And you can’t really beat the name either. Along with Pocari Sweat, we highly recommend giving all the crazy Japanese sports drinks a try, especially Kirin Loves Sports.
Happy Beverage Sampling!!!
Great post! Kiera would love #4!
I really want to try all of these! Great list Alysia!