10 Drinks to Try in El Salvador

When you're making your list of things to do while in El Salvador, don't

forget to add the country's popular beverages to your list. El Salvador has
many tasty beverages, some of which are influenced by the Spanish and
Mayans. For example, atole de elote is a Mayan drink made from corn,
sugar, cinnamon, and water.

Of all alcoholic beverages, Pilsener brand beer is

the most widely consumed. Common
nonalcoholic beverages in El Salvador include
horchata, Kolachampan soda, Ensalada, and
coconut water.

Two drinks to skip: coffee and water. Local coffee

is popular, but the good stuff is exported. The
coffee drank by locals will likely be weak and
sugary. All is not lost, however, because El Salvador is beginning to serve
coffee that suits the taste of Americans and Europeans. As for water, it's
safe to drink in some parts, but you may want to avoid tap water and icy
drinks and stick with bottled water instead.

1. Atole de Elote
Atole de elote is a traditional El Salvadoran
drink served hot. This Mayan-influenced drink
is creamy and contains corn, cinnamon, sugar,
and water. Chocolate atole is
called champurrado. Atole shuco is a variation
made with purple corn, giving it a "dirty," darker color.

2. Kolashampan
Kolashampan is a soda unique to El Salvador
with a taste that's hard to describe. Because of
its orange color, you'd expect it to taste like
oranges, but that's not the case. The soda is
made of sugarcane, which gives it a distinct
flavor and sweetness. You'll definitely have to try it to see why it's loved
by El Salvadorans.

3. Horchata
Horchata is a favorite of El
Salvadorans. It's also popular in
Mexico, but El Salvadoran horchata is
distinctly different in that morro seed
is preferred rather than rice. Here it's
made of morro seed, water, and spices
such as cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla,
and cocoa. The result is a refreshing
milky, sweet, and spicy drink that's usually served over ice
although it can be served hot.

4. Tamarind Juice
Another popular El Salvadoran drink is
tamarind juice. It's made from the fruit
of peanut-like pods found on tamarind
trees. The tamarind tree originated in
Africa and came to the Americas in the
1500s. Now it's most commonly found in
Mexico. Tamarind juice is a refreshing
and simple drink made with tamarind
pulp, sugar, and water. The drink is
medicinal and benefits the heart as well
as the circulation, immune, digestive, and nervous systems. It also
helps with weight loss, diabetes, psoriasis, and arthritis.

5. Ensalada
Ensalada means salad in Spanish, but
you'll find no vegetables here because
this drink is made only of fruit. Apples,
melon, and other tropical fruits are finely
chopped into a refreshing, drinkable
 mixture that tastes like sangria. It's served with a big straw so you
can slurp up the tiny pieces of fruit.

6. Tic Tack
Tic Tack is El Salvador's version of la cususa found in Nicaragua.
This crude distilled sugarcane liquor can be mixed with practically
anything. It's also great served on the rocks.

7. Coconut Water
For the ultimate fresh fruit experience,
scope out a coconut water vendor on
the side of the road. They'll chop off the
top and serve it with a straw. There's
nothing healthier than drinking
something straight from the source.
Coconut milk is also a popular drink in
El Salvador. You can find it being sold
by street vendors. Coconut milk is also
mixed with vodka as an aperitif.

8. Pilsener
Beer is the most common alcohol enjoyed in El Salvador,
and Pilsener has been the most popular brand since its beginning
in 1906. Consider it the Budweiser of El Salvador. It gets its name
from the Czech city of Plzen (or Pilsen).
9. Suprema
Suprema is a premium beer brewed in El Salvador. Like Pilsener,
it's made by Industrias La Constancia, but it's not nearly as popular.
This European-style beer has been brewed since 1967 and has a fine
taste and distinctive image.
10. Golden Light
Another drink in El Salvador is Golden Light, a pale lager beer. It's
cold-filtered with a refreshing flavor similar to Miller Light.