Drink Like a Local: How to Explore Regional Cocktails When You Travel

Food tourism is everywhere — but drink tourism? It’s finally getting the spotlight it deserves. When you travel, tasting the local cocktail culture can unlock a deeper understanding of the place you’re visiting. A city’s flavors aren’t just on plates — they’re in highballs, coupes, and clay cups, shaped by history, climate, and community. Whether you’re in Tokyo or Tbilisi, drinking like a local offers a sensory map of tradition, innovation, and identity.

Here’s how to sip your way through new cities and cultures — with respect, curiosity, and a sense of adventure.

Start with the Local Spirits

Every region has a base spirit that tells a story. In Mexico, it’s tequila or mezcal; in Peru, pisco. In Eastern Europe, you might encounter rakija or slivovitz, while Japan leans into shochu and sake. These spirits reflect local ingredients, climate, and generations of craftsmanship.

Ask a bartender:

“What local spirit would you recommend I try while I’m here?”

Often, they’ll pour you something not found on menus — or suggest a modern cocktail that highlights regional flavors.

Need inspiration before your next trip? Browse our global cocktail recipe collection at mycocktailrecipes.com — where we bring the world’s best spirits and stories to your home bar.

Hit the Right Bars (and Know When to Go)

To drink like a local, you have to go where the locals go. Skip the hotel lobby bar and head to a neighborhood spot. Look for bars that spotlight regional ingredients, or ask a server where they go for a great cocktail after work.

Timing matters too. In Spain, aperitivo hour starts around sunset. In many Asian countries, late-night bars are just heating up at midnight. Embrace the local rhythm — it’s part of the experience.

Ask for What’s Not on the Menu

Menus can be limiting — especially in cities with a strong bartender culture. The best drinks often happen off-menu, crafted from house infusions, seasonal produce, or the bartender’s mood that day. If you see passionfruit, chili, or a mysterious bottle behind the bar, ask about it.

Phrase it like this:

“I’d love to try something with a local twist — anything seasonal or house-made you recommend?”

That one question can open the door to flavors you’d never find back home.

Don’t Just Copy — Connect

Sure, you can walk into a bar and order a Negroni anywhere. But when you’re in Florence, asking how they make theirs could teach you something new about ratios, garnishes, or even ice.

The goal isn’t to “collect” drinks. It’s to engage with the place and the people who make it what it is. That small conversation with a bartender about their go-to bitter or a grandmother’s homemade liqueur might become your favorite travel memory.

Take Notes — and Bottles

Bring a small journal or keep notes in your phone. Write down names of local spirits, bartenders, or cocktails you love. If possible, bring a bottle of something unique back with you. Many airports allow duty-free purchases of regional spirits — and they make excellent souvenirs.

Later, when you recreate that drink at home, it won’t just taste good. It’ll remind you of where you were, who you met, and what you learned.

Final Sip: Travel Through Flavor

Exploring cocktails while you travel isn’t about drinking more — it’s about tasting deeper. A regional cocktail tells a story no tourist brochure can match. It’s an invitation to slow down, ask questions, and experience a culture through its glass.

So next time you pack your bags, leave a little space in your plans (and your suitcase) for the flavors of the place. You might be surprised how much they teach you.

And when you return? Keep the journey going with inspired recipes and cultural guides. Because the best trips never really end — they just pour into the next glass.