If you find yourself in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico soon, you are sure to fall in love with the lovely coastal town. In general, the country of Mexico has a wonderful rich culture, stunning natural beauty, delicious cuisine, welcoming locals, and tons to see and do. In Puerto Vallarta, there are also tons of great restaurants, shopping, fun tours, all galleries, outdoor activities, and more. If you’re headed to Puerto Vallarta soon, make sure you try some of the country’s most popular drinks. Keep reading below to learn some traditional Mexican drinks to try in Puerto Vallarta.
Traditional Mexican Drinks to Try in Puerto Vallarta:
Tequila
For starters, everybody knows that tequila is from Mexico.The potent distilled beverage is prepared using the blue agave plant in the state of Jalisco. The ancient drink also has origins that date back to 1000 B.C when it was known as pulque. Pulque was prepared using the fermented sap of the agave plant by the Aztecs in northern Mexico. Later, when the Spanish arrived, pulque was modified in order to create tequila. Despite its reputation as a great shot, high quality tequila should be slowly sipped. Or you can order tequila as a delicious lime margarita which is quite refreshing on a warm, sunny day. During your next visit to Puerto Vallarta, make sure you try some delicious tequila. Add lime and salt if needed.
Tuba
Next, you can see vendors selling an alcohol-free drink known as Tuba on the Puerto Vallarta Malecon boardwalk. Also referred to as tuba fresca, the non-alcoholic version is made from fresh coconut sap. Usually, you can find street vendors selling tuba fresca that is stored in large bottle gourds. The drink is a mixture of coconut milk, ice, and sugar. It is usually topped with walnuts and diced fruit such as apples. Many people claim that tuba also has some medicinal uses or health benefits. Tuba is said to promote longevity, reduce the risk of heart attacks and heart diseases, reduce the risk of Type 2 Diabetes, cut risk of cataracts and colon cancer, and even slow brain decline. Sounds like a wonderful and healthy drink to try on a hot day in Puerto Vallarta!
Banderitas
A fun drink to have anytime you want to celebrate are Banderitas. The classic festive drink is especially popular during September when the country celebrates Independence Day. The three colors of the vibrant Mexican flag are green, white, and red. The word Banderitas means “Flags” in Spanish and the series of shots are a reference to the color of each shot glass. The first shot glass is green and has fresh lime juice. Next, a high quality tequila blanco is used to represent the color white. Lastly, red Sangrita is the third shot which is a red mixture of orange juice and chili sauce.
Micheladas
While most Mexicans absolutely love this beer-based drink, for other people it can be an acquired taste. A michelada is a popular and refreshing Mexican drink that uses beer, lime juice, assorted sauces, spices, tomato juice, and chile peppers. There are numerous variations of this beverage throughout Mexico, and you can use a variety of beers as the base. Popular national beers to use in a Michelada include Corona, Modelo, Victoria and Pacifico. In order to prepare your own Michelada, mix a Mexican beer of your choice with tomato juice, and add freshly squeezed lime juice. Next, add splashes of Worcestershire sauce, teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, or hot sauce. Finally, Micheladas are best served in a chilled, salt-rimmed glass and garnished with a wedge of fresh lime.
Mezcal
Mezcal is a distilled alcoholic beverage that is cooked inside earthen pits that are lined with lava rocks and filled with wood and charcoal before being distilled in clay pots. Any type of agave can be used to produce a strong liquor which is similar to tequila. Both tequila and mezcal are about 38% to 55% ABV (Alcohol by Volume) which is between 76 to 110 proof. An interesting fact is that the product of mezcal is the most labor intensive spirits process around. Wondering how to properly taste mezcal? Mezcal is best served at room temperature without any ice in order to best appreciate the taste. Sip and swish the mezcal around in your mouth a bit to open your palate and let your taste buds adjust to the initial burning sensation.
Raicilla
Last but not least, raicilla is a distilled spirit that was first produced a few hours from Puerto Vallarta in the south western portion of Jalisco. Many different species of agave plants are used to produce Raicilla. The traditional beverage has been around for more than 300 years, and it became protected by a Denomination of Origin. Raicilla is distilled in crude, primitive stills from a fermented mash that comes from the central stem (piña) of the maguey plant. Then, the mash is slow cooked and the steam condenses on a copper cone that is traditionally cooled down by fresh spring water. Last year, locally made Hacienda El Divisadero raicilla earned the highest recognition at the Top World Spirits Awards in 2021.
Did you enjoy learning about traditional Mexican drinks to try in Puerto Vallarta? Now, the only question is, when will your next visit to Puerto Vallarta be?
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