As a traveler, you know just how many wonders the world holds. You’ve eaten flavorful local cuisines, toured ancient ruins, and integrated yourself into foreign cultures. But have you ever tried some of the world’s most unique cocktails? Use the following list of strange and exotic drinks as an alcoholic itinerary for your next excursion across the globe.
Diamonds Are Forever
If you’re a fan of Champagne, you’ll love the Diamonds Are Forever drink from the Skyview Bar in Burj Al Arab, Dubai. Not a drink for the budget conscious, this single cocktail costs about $1,247. For a mere $100 more, you can get it served in a Swarovski Crystalline cocktail glass that you can take home as a souvenir.
The recipe calls for Luxor 24K Gold Flake Champagne mixed with Lheraud Grande Champagne Cognac and just a touch of The Bitter Truth Jerry Thomas Bitters for a strong taste you’ll never forget. The purpose of the drink is to create a movie-star feel so you can spend a night as an extravagant high-roller.
Ron Zacapa Blazer
For a slightly more affordable and just as delicious drink, head down to either Sydney or Melbourne in Australia to visit Eau De Vie. This cocktail and wine bar exudes character, as it mimics the look and feel of a 1920s speakeasy from prohibition America.
The Ron Zacapa Blazer was noted as one of the world’s top 10 cocktails in 2013 by Elite Traveler, so it’s certainly worth a sip. The $24 AUD drink includes a delicious combination of sherry, bitters, and Ron Zacapa rum. It’s then set on fire so that blue and orange flames leap high into the sky. The bartender then cools the drink by tossing it between two silver goblets until it’s ready to drink.
Old Fashioned in the Rocks
You don’t even have to leave the country to sample this fun twist on a traditional drink at The Aviary in Chicago. An old fashioned on the rocks is a pretty standard mix of bourbon, demerara syrup, and orange bitters. However, The Aviary ups the game by serving the drink inside an ice cube.
To access the precious liquid inside, you must smash the large spherical ice ball with a special slingshot. If you’re tired of the standard old fashioned, this $21 drink will certainly revitalize your opinion of the tried-and-true recipe.
The Colour Changing One
At The Alchemist in Leeds, England, you can’t go wrong with any of the drink options. The cocktail bar totes itself as an expert in mixology, even teaching masterclasses to interested bartenders across the United Kingdom.
However, if you don’t have time to learn the intricacies of mixology, simply order The Colour Changing One. At just £8.50, this delightful beverage combines Reyka Vodka, apple liqueur, lemonade, and citrus to create a concoction that’s pleasing to the senses. It comes served in two separate glasses, one with blue liquid and the other with clear liquid. Combine the two, and the mixture will change to pink and begin smoking.
P & Tonic
Also located in England, the Pint-Shop in Cambridge serves up typical English cuisine. You’ll have your choice of scotch eggs, chips and curry sauce, and all the traditional meat pies you could ever want. But just because service is casual and convenient doesn’t mean the drinks aren’t to die for.
The P & Tonic is a great classic you’ll need to try if you’re stopping by. The establishment distills its own gin using peas as the main ingredient, which is supposedly the only gin in the world with this special flavor. This creates a rare taste that pairs amazingly with the traditional tonic water, mint, and cucumber. Each glass of this delicious concoction is just £10, so you can enjoy a few without going broke.
Doug Laming’s Margarita
Rabbit Hole Bar and Dining specializes in all things liquid, meaning it’s a place you should stop if you’re ever thirsty in Sydney, Australia. The bar is run by guru Doug Laming, who has performed intense research to find the best ways to craft new cocktail mixtures. All of the fixings that the bar tenders use in their drinks are housemade for the best possible taste.
The highlight of the drink menu at Rabbit Hole is Doug Laming’s margarita, which is made using small balls of alcohol that burst in your mouth. The alcohol is prepared through a process called caviar spherification, and the drink utilizes Cointreau, tequila, caviar, and syrup. With a dab of lime and salt on the side, this unique margarita offers your mouth a wide array of tastes you won’t find elsewhere.
These are just a few of the zaniest and most delectable beverages available. You’re sure to find many others during your travels. For even more options to satiate your palate, check out the infographic below.
