While visiting various countries across Asia, we stumbled upon some drinks that have absolutely shocked us in terms of their look, ingredients and final taste.
China: Baijiu
It’s commonly known as white wine, but it’s absolutely disgusting. It’s a very strong distilled spirit that contains more than 50% of alcohol. It is closer to vodka in strength and mouth-feel. You should be extremely careful when tasting it – one baijiu shot can knock you down!
Vietnam: Coconut Wine
We tried some coconut wine when visiting Mekong Delta. It tasted really good – sweet, creamy, soft, and gentle. We loved the smell of coconut, while it wasn’t too strong to drink.
Vietnam and Cambodia: Snake Wine
I’ve not tried it, but Cez did a few times. In touristy areas of Cambodia the content of the bottle looks like fighting ground between snakes and scorpions. However, more traditional versions are more common and usually consumed by the locals in belief that it makes men more potent (sexually). One small glass of it tastes ok, but if you try and drink too much you may start to feel that the content of the bottle contains more than just liquid.
What’s your favorite drink from the road?
32 thoughts on “3 Drinks From The Road That Shocked Us”
Yikes! Those sound like some powerful drinks!!!! They also look interesting to look at to. :)
Heheh!
Hi Agness,
The snake one is crazy! I go with a simple coconut shake; best I ever had was in a shop/restaurant/you know what place lol…..3 years ago in Laos, in that Vang Vieng spot in Laos. I promise, it was just coconut juice and cream hahaha…..as for crazy drinks, the gardener here in Bali has told me in his village in Flores people drink cobra blood. He says it’s awesome. He also says they eat python soup there, and that the pythons get big enough to eat fully grown pigs. Yikes! Crazy village, way off the grid.
Ryan
Everyone agrees that the snake one is really gross!!
That third one looks nasty, Agness!
Gross!! :)
The first two look great but I’m not sure I could bring myself to try the snake and scorpion one. Bits floating around!! Nope!
I really enjoyed Mama Juana. From Dom Rep which is apparently also an aphrodisiac!
From Wikipedia – Mama Juana (or mamajuana) is a drink from the Dominican Republic that is concocted by allowing rum, red wine, and honey to soak in a bottle with tree bark and herbs. The taste is similar to port wine and the color is a deep red.
I’ve never tried Mama Juana, but I really wanna do it soon!!
The one with the snakes and scorpions is really shocking. I know those are very popular in Thailand.
I just hope the venom doesn’t get into the drink!
It could be a deadly drink!!!
Baijiu is seriously gross! I think it should just be used as an disinfectant or lighter fluid.
It tastes HORRIBLE, agreed!
Ok that snake one seriously freaks me out!! Even looking at it freaks me out nevermind drinking it :-D
It really did the majority of tourists!! :D
I tried that stuff in China. WOW. I had two sips and felt amazing.
It tricked me. I was all jolly and giddy. I foolishly decided to buy a bottle to drink in our hostel.
BIG mistake. The hangover the next day was unbearable!
x tink x
allabouttink.co.uk
OMG the snake wine!! Gross! But I would be tempted to try the coconut wine… anything with coconut, really!!
I love coconut milk shakes and juices. The best are served in Thailand #takemethere :)
I’m not sure I want to try the snake wine to be honest. The freaking out factor is one reason, but also safety reason. If the snake and scorpion were not prepared properly, then the wine will be deadly!
Yes, it could be!
Interesting! Have not heard of those drinks before. My favorite drink is Argentine mate tea. I love the whole “ceremony” around it.
Some of them are terrifying!
Snake wine = TERRIFYING
My fave kinda holiday beverage, give me a bubbly beer and Im sorted. No need to kill a scorpion. LOL!
Hehehehe :)!
Ah the famous snake wine, I remember you guys telling me about this.
As for the stuff in China, I avoid it wherever possible. I’ve heard too many stories from people who’ve had an evening with that as the main drink = very dangerous!!!
Yes, I agree!!
Nie przepada za alkoholami, najbardziej lubię go w deserach i to czysty spirytus. Takie małe zboczenie. :)
Aha :)
I tried the snake wine in Vietnam. It was quite disgusting but I had to try it LOL!
wow I have to say. They all sound disgusting!
Oh I won’t even try Baiju! It’s not for me- bleugh. I will drink Korean soju and Japanese Sake, but I don’t know what it is about Baiju, I’m just not interested in trying!
No, no! It’s way too gross!
coconut wine?! I’m intrigued! ;