Goa’s local beverages
In India, Goa is a renowned tourist destination. Goa, on India’s southwest coast, is a mix of ancient Portuguese colonies, sandy beaches, forests, monuments, and delectable cuisine – all of which make it a must-see destination for any traveler.
Goan cuisine is classified into two categories: Catholic Goa and Hindu Goa. Tastes, features, and cooking ways are all significantly different between the two. Apart from food, Goan villages are known for their wine and bar culture, in which a local bar acts as a meeting place for locals to relax and connect. Here are seven amazing Goan indigenous cocktails that you must try.
1. Feni
Feni, Goa’s most popular alcoholic beverage, comes in a variety of flavors, the most popular of which are cashew feni and toddy palm feni. Coconut or cashew sap is fermented and distilled to a strength of roughly 30%. It has a unique aftertaste and a strong odor.
2. Kokum juice
Kokum is a purple berry that aids in the prevention of infection, the treatment of wounds, the cure of ear infections, the healing of stomach ulcers, the improvement of digestion, the relief of arthritis pain, and the relief of diarrhea and constipation. In Goa, it’s a popular drink that’s commonly served with a pinch of salt and sugar.
3. Urak
Urak is a lesser-known relative of Feni, brewed from ripe cashew apples. It’s distilled between the months of March and May. It is consumed by Goans during the warm months, until the first rain shower in June.
4. Sol kadi
Sol Kadi, a popular drink in Goa and Maharashtra’s coastal region, is usually consumed with rice or drunk after meals. It has digestive, refreshing, cleaning, and cooling effects and is produced from coconut milk and kokum.
5. Armada
Armada, one of Goa’s original spiced liqueurs, is prepared from a family recipe dating back to the colonial era and contains Brazilian sugar, Asian spices, and Portuguese fruit. It is now known as ‘Licor Armada.’ It’s created in small amounts with just natural ingredients and spices, with no artificial flavors or preservatives.
6. Port wine
It is also called ‘Vinho do Porto,’ as it was brought to India by the Portuguese in the 16th century. This was India’s first wine, and it’s typically served as a dessert wine due to its sweet flavor.