You are a truly adventurous soul when it comes to travelling. You love the food that is served at the local restaurants. But do you end up ordering a Kingfisher with your food? Well, you could do much better. There are special alcoholic drinks brewed by the locals which can scintillate your senses. Here are some of them:
1. Chhang – Ladakh
Barley Beer which entices even Yetis
Taste some chhang while traversing the beautiful landscapes of Ladakh to fight the biting cold or to simply rejuvenate. Read here for more information about its production .
Can you call home after a glass (or two) – Yes.
2. Po:ro Apong – Assam
Rice Beer famed to have been made of a fairy’s breast milk
Get a taste of the culture heritage of the Adi and Mising tribe in Assam by trying this beer. Read here for more information about its production .
Can you call home after a glass (or two) – Not really advisable!
3. Chuwarak – Tripura
Versatile Tripuri whiskey
The land of fourteen Gods is proud of being the producer of this intoxicant through an elaborate process. Its versatile nature allows for a variety of raw materials to be used like rice, pineapple or even jackfruit. Read here for more information about its production .
Can you call home after a glass (or two) – Don’t!
4. Handia – Jharkhand
The rice beer that the Santhalis and Mundas offer to their Gods
This beer produced by the tribal women is also taken as a gift to a friend’s or relative’s house and is one of the most sought after things in dowry! Read here for more information about its production .
Can you call home after a glass (or two) – Yes.
5. Feni – Goa
The drought made of cashew nut apples which tells the story of Goan ingenuity
The Portuguese brought the cashewnut trees to Goa, but the Goans discovered a way of converting the fruit being discarded into a spirit. Read here for more information about its production .
Can you call home after a glass (or two) – Umm..no.
6. Judima – Assam
The rice wine which can ward off evil
The Dimasa people of Assam administer some of this wine to newborns to protect them against evil. Read here for more information about its production .
Can you call home after a glass (or two) – Yes.
7. Kiad – Meghalaya
Introduced as a medicinal remedy to the Pnar people of Meghalaya in the 1880s
Think about it. You are walking on the roads of Shillong and spot a jadoh stall. You stop for a drink and taste Kiad. Though the diluted versions are not that strong, a 70% concentrated Kiad is often sold. Read here for more information about its production .
Can you call home after a glass (or two) – No!
8. Zutho – Nagaland
A Naga concoction which boasts of a taste like the Japanese sake
Only the Angami Nagas know about the procedure of production of this rice wine. it is different from other rice wines because of the usage of sprouted rice grains. Read here for more information about its production .
Can you call home after a glass (or two) – Yes.
9. Kesar Kasturi – Rajasthan
Fiery Rajasthani heritage liquor which made Roger Moore a fan
During the shoot of Octopussey, Roger Moore had the privilege of tasting this scintillating spirit made of saffron and 22 other spices. It was meant for royalty back then but now it is being sold commercially too. Read here for more information .
Can you call home after a glass (or two) – Yes.
10. Xaj – Assam
The rice beer in which Ahoms are fabled to dip newborns for good luck
Like all rice beers of the North East, the beer of the Ahoms is made by fermenting rice with herbs. It is always served in traditional copper vessels. R ead here for more information about its production and fable .
Can you call home after a glass (or two) – Yes.
11. Zawlaidi – Mizoram
Love potion of the Mizos
After the Prohibition on sale of alcohol was lifted (partially), this grape wine hit Tripura with a thunder. R ead here for more information about its production .
Can you call home after a glass (or two) – Maybe not.
12. Toddy – Andhra Pradesh
The intoxicant that the climbers (Gouds) harvest straight from palmyra trees
Toddy is the refreshing drink that the villagers look up to after a tiring day at work. R ead here for more information about its production .
Can you call home after a glass (or two) – Yes.
Source : instagram
13. Kodo ko Jaanr – Sikkim
Hot Sikkimese beer
Finger-millet is used to make this brew. Boiling water is added to Kodo ko Jaanr in a tumbler and then consumed. R ead here for more information about its production .
Can you call home after a glass (or two) – Yes.
14. Kinnauri Ghanti/Chulli – Kinnaur
Apples and apricots combine to make this smooth drink
A well made batch has the texture of cognac. It also has healing properties. R ead here for more information about its production .
Can you call home after a glass (or two) – Yes.
15. Mahua – Maharashtra
Felix Padel rates this local liquor better than scotch!
Mahua flowers are used to prepare this wine. You can treat yourself to some while travelling through Maharashtra. R ead here for more information about its production .
Can you call home after a glass (or two) – Maybe.
16. Sekmai Yu – Manipur
Sip on this local Manipuri ether while walking around Loktak Lake
Manipuri Segmai people make this rice wine through an arduous procedure. R ead here for more information about its production .
Can you call home after a glass (or two) – No.
17. Raksi – Sikkim
Limoo priests consume this concoction before participating in the process of possession of souls
This Sikkimese liquor plays a very important part in marriages. After receiving the eloped couple, the boy’s family goes to seek permission of marriage from the girl’s family with Raksi. R ead here for more information about its production .
Can you call home after a glass (or two) – No.
18. Bangla – West Bengal
The intoxicant offered to Goddess Kali
This alcohol can prove to be a little dangerous to consume because of spurious content. So caution is advised. R ead here for more information about its production .
Can you call home after a glass (or two) – No.
19. Lugdi – Himachal Pradesh
The rice beer that will keep you warm in Manali
You probably remember this drink from ‘ Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani ‘. Try it the next time you are in Manali if you haven’t yet! R ead here for more information .
Can you call home after a glass (or two) – Yes.
20. Arak – Ladakh
The fiery, much-coveted Ladakhi whisky
Distilled from chhang, this Ladakhi spirit might prove a little difficult to find. But not if you become friends with the locals. R ead here for more information .
Can you call home after a glass (or two) – Yes.
21. Gudamba – Hyderabad
Illicit liquor made with sugarcane in Hyderabad
A local beverage. It is important to exercise caution in procuring it because of the high chances of spurious content. Read more here .