Summary
When you’re making your list of things to do while in El Salvador, don’t forget to include the country’s popular beverages. El Salvador boasts a variety of delightful beverages, many of which draw influence from Spanish and Mayan cultures. For instance, atole de elote is a traditional drink crafted from corn, sugar, cinnamon, and water.
Among the alcoholic beverages, Pilsener brand beer is the most widely consumed. On the other hand, common nonalcoholic options include horchata, Kolachampan soda, Ensalada, and refreshing coconut water.
However, two drinks you may want to avoid are coffee and tap water. While local coffee is popular, the quality often doesn’t meet expectations, as the finest beans are typically exported. As a result, the coffee consumed locally can be weak and overly sweetened. Nevertheless, there’s a growing trend in El Salvador to serve coffee that aligns better with the tastes of Americans and Europeans. Regarding water, while it may be safe to drink in some areas, it’s advisable to steer clear of tap water and iced beverages, opting instead for bottled water.
01 of 10 – Atole de Elote
Atole de elote is a traditional El Salvadoran drink enjoyed hot. This creamy Mayan-inspired beverage features a mix of corn, cinnamon, sugar, and water, with variations like champurrado (chocolate atole) and atole shuco (made with purple corn) offering different flavors and appearances.
02 of 10 – Kolashampan
Kolashampan is a soda uniquely tied to El Salvador. Though it features an orange hue, the flavor is not citrusy. Instead, it’s made from sugarcane, resulting in a distinctive sweetness that local residents enjoy.
03 of 10 – Horchata
Horchata is beloved among El Salvadorans and shares its popularity with Mexico. However, El Salvadoran horchata distinguishes itself by using morro seed instead of rice. The result is a delicately sweet and spicy drink made with water, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and cocoa, often enjoyed chilled.
04 of 10 – Ensalada
Ensalada translates to “salad” in Spanish; however, this drink is purely fruit-based. A blend of finely chopped apples, melon, and tropical fruits creates a refreshing beverage akin to sangria, complete with a wide straw for sipping on the fruit pieces.
05 of 10 – Tamarind Juice
Tamarind juice is another beloved drink in El Salvador, derived from the fruit of tamarind trees. While this tree hails from Africa, it gained prominence in the Americas during the 1500s. Made with tamarind pulp, sugar, and water, this refreshing beverage is also noted for its medicinal properties, benefiting various systems in the body such as immune, digestive, and circulatory. Additionally, it aids in weight loss and alleviates conditions like diabetes and arthritis.
06 of 10 – Tic Tack
Tic Tack serves as El Salvador’s answer to la cususa in Nicaragua. This robust distilled sugarcane liquor is versatile, able to be mixed with numerous ingredients or enjoyed simply on the rocks.
07 of 10 – Coconut Water
For an authentic and refreshing experience, seek out a street vendor selling coconut water. They deftly chop off the top of the coconut and serve it with a straw, providing a healthy beverage straight from nature. Additionally, coconut milk, often sold by street vendors, is popular as well and can even be mixed with vodka as an aperitif.
08 of 10 – Pilsener
As the most enjoyed alcoholic drink in El Salvador, Pilsener beer has held its status since 1906, similar to Budweiser in the United States. Its name is derived from the Czech city of Plzen (or Pilsen), making it a local favorite.
09 of 10 – Suprema
Suprema is a premium beer also brewed in El Salvador, produced by the same company behind Pilsener, Industrias La Constancia. Despite its quality, it hasn’t reached the same popularity level, offering a European-style experience since 1967 with its distinctive flavor and presentation.
10 of 10 – Golden Light
Another beverage option is Golden Light, a pale lager cold-filtered to deliver a crisp flavor, reminiscent of Miller Light, making it a refreshing choice on hot days.
