page_title: List of national drinks
section_title: Europe
hierarchical_section_title: List of national drinks / Europe
caption_attribution_description: English: Photo of a Glencairn Whisky Glass, used by the Scotch Whisky Industry and other whiskey companies in the USA, Canada, Ireland and other nations. It is found at most major whisky festivals around the world and it's design is the property of Glencairn Crystal Ltd, East Kilbride, Scotland.
context_page_description: A national drink is a distinct beverage that is strongly associated with a particular country, and can be part of their national identity and self-image. National drinks fall into two categories, alcoholic and nonalcoholic. An alcoholic national drink is sometimes a liquor drunk straight/neat, but is most often a mixed drink or beer or wine. A beverage can be considered a national drink for a variety of reasons:
  It is a common drink, made from a selection of locally available foodstuffs that can be prepared in a distinctive way, such as mango lassi that uses dahi, a traditional yogurt or fermented milk product, originating from the Indian subcontinent, usually prepared from cow's milk, and sometimes buffalo milk, or goat milk.
  It contains a particular 'exotic' ingredient that is produced locally.
  It is served as a festive culinary tradition that forms part of a cultural heritage—for example eggnog in the US during the holiday period.
  It has been promoted as a national dish by the country itself.
  In some cases, it may be impossible to settle on a national drink for a particular country.
context_section_description: The "beer belt" in Western Europe includes Germany, the UK, and Ireland, whereas the "wine belt" includes the Mediterranean countries like Spain, Italy, and Greece. Several drinks are common and particular to Slavic countries. Vodka is a clear alcoholic beverage made most often by distilling the liquid from fermented cereal grains and potatoes. Countries where vodka is identified as a national beverage have been referred to as the "vodka belt". Kvass is a traditional fermented non-alcoholic beverage commonly made from rye bread and is drank in many Slavic countries, as well as the three the Baltic countries of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Kompot is another drink that is traditionally popular throughout this region and made by boiling together different fruit including strawberries, apricots, peaches, apples, and raisins in large volume of water and served hot or cold, depending on tradition and season. Fruit brandies are popular in the Balkans, while Brännvin and Akvavit are popular in Scandinavia.
   Albania:
   Andorra:
   Austria:
   Belarus: Byarozavik is a Belarusian traditional drink made from birch sap, achieving widespread popularity in the Soviet Union before undergoing a modern resurgence.
   Belgium: Belgium is situated in the “Beer belt” and is known for its beers and breweries. There are over 1,400 kinds of beer and this alcoholic drink is important in Belgian social life. See Belgian beer culture and Beer in Belgium
   Bosnia and Herzegovina:
   Bulgaria: Bulgaria considers Rakia to be its national beverage, as well as the place of origin of this distilled beverage that can be made from fruits like plums and apricots.
   Croatia:
   Cyprus: Zivania
   Czech Republic: Pilsner is a pale lager originated in Plzeň.
   Denmark:
   Estonia:
   Finland: Lonkero
   France: Red wine is a type of wine made from dark-colored (black) grape varieties. Champagne is the typical white wine of France.
   Germany: Lager is a type of beer conditioned at low temperatures.; Fanta
   Greece: Ouzo is a dry anise-flavoured aperitif that is widely consumed in Greece and Cyprus.
   Hungary: pálinka
   Iceland: Brennivín, Appelsín
   Ireland: Guinness is a dark Irish dry stout.
   Italy: Chinotto a type of carbonated soft drink produced from the juice of the fruit of the myrtle-leaved orange tree (Citrus myrtifolia); Wine; Grappa; Espresso; Cappuccino
   Latvia:
   Liechtenstein:
   Lithuania:: Midus, Gira
   Luxembourg:
   Malta: Kinnie
   Republic of Moldova:
   Monaco:
   Montenegro:
   Netherlands: Jenever
   North Macedonia:
   Norway: Akvavit
   Poland: Like some other Eastern European countries, in Poland vodka is considered to be its national beverage. Along with cereal grains, Poland is also known for distilling it from potatoes. Like Russia does with its national drink, Poland also considers itself to be vodka's point of origin, dating back to the 15th century. Another popular drink is Krupnik, a traditional sweet alcoholic drink similar to a liqueur, based on vodka and honey.
   Portugal: Port wine is a sweet Portuguese fortified wine produced with distilled grape spirits in the Douro Valley in the northern provinces of Portugal and is commonly served as a dessert wine. There are also distinct sorts of non port portuguese wines produced in particular regions.
   Romania: Țuică sometimes referred to as "white lightning" due to its clarity and potency, is a plum fruit brandy, that is distilled in a brass still, using traditional fire sources such as wood and charcoal. Țuică is traditionally drank prior to meals and at celebrations.
   Russia: Kvass is a traditional fermented non-alcoholic beverage commonly made from rye bread, and while kvass is seen as the national non-alcoholic drink, it is vodka that most Russians identify as their national alcoholic beverage. Like in Poland, Russians consider their nation to be vodka's birthplace.
   San Marino:
   Serbia: Rakia.
   Slovakia: Borovička is a juniper alcoholic spirit.
   Slovenia:
   Spain:  A punch, sangria traditionally consists of red wine and chopped fruit, often with other ingredients such as orange juice or brandy.
   Sweden: Brännvin, Punsch, A
caption: A Glencairn whisky glass.
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