While the local cuisine of every country can tell you a lot about
the tradition and culture of that country, their local drinks should
not be ignored.
By learning about the beverages of a nation, you'll
get an idea of how the locals have fun or simply quench their thirst.
The Dominican Republic has a fair share of unique drinks that
should be tasted by any tourist. If you're coming to the country to
visit one of the many adult
themed resorts, there is a good chance
you'll encounter some of the drinks mentioned here. Never hesitate to
try any of these drinks, as some of them are
never found outside the
country.
Beer
When you talk about beer in the Dominican Republic, you're
practically talking about a single product: Presidente. It's not the
country's "official" beer but people
consider Presidente as
their only choice. The beer is brewed in Santo Domingo and is found
everywhere in the country. This beer has a bit more alcohol
(6%
compared to 5% in many countries) but lighter taste. The beer is only
served cold and many locals will only drink the beer in this manner.
Aside from
its unique taste, it's also a perfect souvenir because the
beer is only distributed in the Dominican Republic.
Mama Juana
This is a traditional drink brewed in the Dominican Republic. The
drink is a mixture of various herbs and other drinks (rum, gin, wine
etc). As the drink is made up
of herbs, most sell Mamajuana as a
health drink that can prevent (or even heal) various health problems,
including impotency.
Rum
The country's history in Rum making dates back to the early
colonial years where sugar cane was fermented into rum. The formal
distillery was established in
1700s, and the oldest rum maker is
Bermudez which was established in 1852. They are also the most
popular manufacturer because of their first rum called
"Bitter
Panacea". Other popular rum makers are Barcelo and Brugal. There are distilleries that you can visit in the Dominican
Republic, particularly in Santo
Domingo. They will most likely serve
their rum mixed with soda to their guests.
Coffee
As a tropical country, it's also a must to try out their local
coffee. This is also one of the main exports of the country and a
great souvenir even for casual coffee
drinkers. The most popular
brand of Coffee is named after its capital "Santo Domingo".
Here's a tip on how to choose coffee in the Dominican Republic:
look for coffee grown in higher altitudes because it's stronger and
richer in flavor. This might
not be easily noticeable but to an
experienced coffee drinker, the difference can be easily noticed. The
locals know this difference which means you should expect
a
relatively expensive coffee for the variety that comes from higher
grounds.
There are many ways to enjoy the Dominican Republic and your
choice of drinks are never lacking. You can enjoy beer, rum and other
types
of drinks with your beautiful local companion as they provide a
unique experience only found in the Dominican Republic.
