30 Most Popular French Drinks To Explore In 2022
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Loading... - Lucia Manzo
- 25 Mar 2022
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The French are as enthusiastic about French drinks as they are about their cuisine, language, art, and history. Their wine culture is genuinely awe-inspiring, but many other classic liqueurs and cocktails are waiting to be explored.
If you’ve visited France or dined with French friends, you may have come across several unique and exciting local beverages. And yes, some of the drinks in this list might be unfamiliar to you, but that is the beauty of learning about a new culture – to learn new things.
So don’t waste another second, let’s have a tour around all of France’s famous regions to know more about these special drinks.
12 Delightful French Apéritifs To Pair With Your Meals
Pre-dinner alcohol drinks, also known as apéritifs, have become a cultural tradition in Paris and France. So if you’re looking for a refreshing boozy beverage to pair with your fancy French recipes, this section is perfect for you! These drinks can also be served with savory snacks.
1. Calvados
Calvados, often nicknamed Calva, is an appellation-controlled apple brandy from the Normandy area in Northwest France. Historically, this area has been linked with apples and apple cider, but the late 1800s phylloxera virus dealt a devastating blow to the industry.
The fermented juice of apples (sometimes with pears) is often double distilled as a base for the brandy to make this drink. After aging for 2 years in oak casks, it is ready to be sold. The maturation can go on for several years.
Calvados is separated into three sub-regions with slight differences in the distillation method, base ingredient, and terroir. You can drink Calvados before or after dinner; some even drink it with coffee and pair it with different sweet treats.
2. Suze
Suze is a refreshingly bitter French apéritif made from gentian root, which grows in the Swiss and French Alps. This drink first made its appearance under the name Picotin in 1889 during the Paris World Fair.
In 1898, the name was changed to Suze, which might be tied to the creator’s sister-in-law Susanne Jaspert or the Suze River in Switzerland (where the creator purchased the recipe).
This gentian-based booze works well in cocktails. However, the locals also love to enjoy a glass of straight Suze before or after dinner.
3. Byrrh
This fruity aromatized apéritif contains a port-like wine and mistelle base with natural quinine. First introduced in 1866 and became a trademark in 1873, Byrrh sold successfully in the early 20th century thanks to its marketing and reputation as a “hygienic drink”.
Despite its popularity, Byrrh still had its ups and downs. Byrrh’s downfall began with the Second World War when natural sweet wines such as Banyuls, Muscat de Frontignan, and Rivesaltes made this drink fall out of favor.
Pernod-Ricard bought the family firm in 1977 and continues to make it at its facility in Thuir. Nowadays, this drink is still widely enjoyed, typically on the rocks with an orange twist or a dash of soda. Read More...
