Alcoholic beverages
Photo: Nmasti, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Alcoholic beverages were invented thousands of years ago, and have since given humankind pleasure and trouble.
The customs, costs and laws for drinking vary greatly between countries. While some destinations are better known for their alcoholic beverages than anything else, other places totally ban alcohol. Therefore, you need to know and adapt to local drinking customs.
UnderstandFirst you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you.
BeerBeer is the world's dominant alcoholic beverage, by volume.
WineWine is considered by many to be the most sophisticated of beverages. There are many wine-growing regions throughout the world.
Distilled beveragesDistilled drinks are stronger than beer or wine. They are commonly mixed in cocktails, but they can also be consumed straight, in smaller amounts.
Other beveragesCider, called "hard cider" in the United States and parts of Canada, is fermented from the juice and peels of apples. It is usually about as alcoholic as beer or slightly stronger.5% or higher.
CocktailsCocktails are mixed drinks, usually based on a hard liquor (e.g., whisky, rum, gin or vodka), combined with some amount of simple syrup (sugar dissolved in water) or sweet liqueur, and often bitters or bitter liqueur…
BuyAs alcoholic beverages are heavily taxed in some countries, private import and duty-free shopping might be more economical for a traveller.
Stay healthyScientific studies show that there is no safe limit for alcohol, and being completely sober is best for your health.
Stay safeEvery year, thousands of people are killed and injured by methanol poisoning, including many tourists.
RespectTo be a good guest, it's important to respect teetotalers and people who drink every day alike, and it's good to understand how it is that some peoples and nations typically drink lustily and often, while others abstain.
Stay legalWith the exception of extremely limited medical conditions (and in some cases, such as Iran, allowances for Jewish or Christian religious services), the production, sale and consumption of alcohol is illegal in:
See also
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Alcoholic beverages" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Nmasti, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons