If you are fed up being conned into drinking bland beverages backed by multimillion dollar international advertising campaigns then it is time to try something different. Here are some of the best local and national drinks from around the planet.
Inca Kola – Peru
There are only 3 countries in the world where the 2 big cola drinks are beaten in the market share by a national drink. Peru is one of those countries and the trippy looking Inca Kola is the hero of the day. It looks like it is made of radioactive waste but you really need to try a bottle of the stuff if you are ever in Lima.
Irn Bru – Scotland
One of the other countries where the big multinationals have been humbled by local upstarts is bonny Scotland. The national drink here is called Irn Bru and it bears some sort of passing resemblance to Inca Kola. This is the ideal Scottish hangover cure and the clever advertising campaigns have made it a national cultural icon.
Thums Up – India

Did you guess the third country where Pepsi and Coca Cola lose up to a national drink? It is India and in this case the history of Thums Up is a bit complicated. When the multinationals got booted out of the country Thums Up was created. It was then bought over by Coca Cola when they re-entered the Indian market and continues to rule the roost.
Almdudler – Austria
Any drink which contains grape juice, apple juice and herbs is alright by me. Almdudler is the national drink of Austria and well worth trying. Apparently the name means “singing in Alpine meadows”, which might just be the best advertising slogan in the history of human endeavour.
Guaraná – Brazil
The Brazilians love their guaraná. This is a soft drink made from berries which have supposedly got incredible energy-giving powers. You will find it in both fresh, natural drinks and in the bottled and canned variety.
Goombay – Bahamas
I thought that Goombay was a sprawling city in India, but it turns out to be the most popular nationally produced drink in the Bahamas. It is a heady mixture of pineapple, lemon, champagne and cola. It also appears to be a type of dance. Presumably you can’t sit still after getting some of this stuff in your system anyway.
Coca Colla – Bolivia

This is probably the national drink with the best name ever. That’s right; it even knocks singing in Alpine meadows off the top of the chart. You see, it is an energy drink made by the Colla people (indigenous Aymara and Quechua folks) of the country and is made from coca leaves. By a million to one coincidence it also has a name which is not entirely dissimilar to another popular soft drink.
Düšess – Estonia

My attention was caught by the fact this is described a pear and caramel flavoured soft drink. Eh? Since when did they start drinking desserts in Estonia? Anyway, it sounds irresistible, even if I can’t find any pictures of it. I can’t find any more information on it, so I can’t guarantee that it even exists. I like to imagine that it does, though and may even go to Tallinn to see if I can get a drink some day.
Doogh – Iran
Drinkable yoghurt is one of man’s finest inventions, as I think any sane person would agree. In Iran (and some other countries, it is an old Persian recipe) they have taken the extra step of adding mint to it and carbonating it. You’ve got to love that carbonated minty yoghurt.
Kinnie – Malta

There are few countries where one of the most popular local drinks could be described as bitter and completely natural. Kinnie is made from a range of herbs, spices and fruits such as bitter oranges. If you are ever in Malta you have got to give it a try.
