Drinking may not be your number one priority when traveling, that would be the more lofty pursuits of arts, architecture and cultural discovery, of course, but come on, most of us like a drink or two, and sampling the local beverages is a cultural experience in itself. With this in mind we’re putting together a brief guide to drinking habits, and the drinks that go with them, around South America. First up, Argentina - Salud!
Argentina
In Argentina, on the whole, people do not get drunk. They drink, yes, and they party too, but such drunken antics as you might find in the US or the UK don’t really happen here. So, when you find yourself wondering why you’re the only one lurching around the dance floor or trying to get a sing-song started at 6am, you’ll know why. If you do want to stay out drinking all night however, it’s not a problem, as parties don’t usually get started until well past midnight in Argentina, and bars are often quiet until around 11pm or 12.
Next question, what to drink? Well, we all know that wine in Argentina is some of the best in the world, so sampling a few vintages is pretty much compulsory. If food and drink is your thing, then taking a wine-tasting trip to Mendoza, Argentina’s prime wine-growing region, is a very good option. You’ll get to enjoy multi-course meals with wine pairings and do tasting sessions with the experts. What could be better?
If wine is not your thing or when you feel like shifting gears, the typical long drink is a fernet and coca cola. Fernet Branca is a bitter tasting spirit, rumored to contain absinthe, among many other ingredients. When mixed with coca cola it produces a strange looking frothy head. It’s an acquired taste for many, but once you’re hooked, you’re hooked and it definitely gets the party started.