Exhausted from a long day of hiking and exploring the city of Cusco, I slumped lifelessly into our booth at Don Mercelo’s corner pizzeria, too tired to move, too hungry to eat. I dutifully leafed through the menu before tossing it aside, unimpressed. “You know, I could really just go for an Inca Kola right now,” I said to Justin.
A bit surprised by my certainty, he replied, “Really? Are you sure? Do you know what it tastes like?”
“Eh, not really … but everyone in Peru seems crazy about it. How bad could it be?”
Fast forward seven minutes to when the waitress brings me my very first Inca Kola. She kindly pours some in my glass as I watch the bubbles from this country’s carbonated sensation race each other to the surface.
Gulp. She leaves. “Uh … is it supposed to be that color?” I ask, staring reluctantly at the florescent yellow beverage glowing before me. Too polite to ask for a different drink and too thirsty to wait for one, I cautiously place the bottle to my lips. Blinded, I glance away as I ingest my first sip.
Three coughs later, I render my verdict: “You know, it doesn’t taste nearly as bad as it looks!”
Fortunately for thirsty travelers, your hydration options in Peru are not limited to Inca Kola. Peru has a wealth of tasty, unique, and even controversial beverages to enjoy. Here are just a few of the ways you can experience the best drinks this flavorful South American nation has to offer.
Cusqueña
An excellent beer. The best we found in Peru. It tastes kind of like a Corona, and is a refreshing reward at the end of a long day of traveling.
Cusqueña Negro
Mmmm … dark and frothy … looks like it would taste like Guiness … but not so much. The worst dark beer I’ve probably ever tasted. They don’t sell it in every restaurant. I can see why. Cusquena Negro is more like Cusquena No-Go.
Coca Tea
It looks good. It smells good. It tastes like seaweed. This famous little drink is rumored to help visitors ward off the effects of altitude sickness. But don’t get too hooked on it. You can’t pass these leaves through Customs … unless you want to get charged with drug trafficking. These innoncent-looking leaves are used to make cocaine and could earn you 25 years behind bars in some countries.
Inca Kola
It may look like a biohazard, but fortunately, it doesn’t taste like one. After you get over the initial shock of your first sip or two, you may find this sweet bubble gum flavored soda might actually grow on you. Like many things in Peru, it’s an acquired taste.
Chicha Morada
A purple corn drink that tasted rather like grape juice.
Kola Escorcesa
A black cherry flavored cola drink. Tastes like a Fanta — only better! I’d be more likely to get addicted to this than I would the Coca Tea.
Arequipeña
Not the greatest of beers. Cusquena is much better. Stick with it for all of your alcohol needs.
Pilsen
Same as above.
Lucuma
A drink made from Lucuma, a fruit indigenous to Peru. Looks great. Very thick and tastes disgusting. Stick with the Chicha Morada.
Pisco Sour
Essentially a whisky sour. Pisco, a grape brandy, is Peru’s national drink, and they take it very seriously. Most restaurants will offer free Pisco sours during happy hour. Don’t leave Peru without throwing back a few of these!
Bottoms up!
What’s your favorite thing to drink in Peru?
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