India’s cuisine may be loved and emulated all over the world, but where there’s smoke there’s fire, and where there’s curry there’s a soothing beverage somewhere close by. Whether you’re sipping sweet, milky chai on the Vivek Express or drinking a cold beer overlooking the Ganges, sitting down to drink one of these popular Indian beverages is a great way to drink in the atmosphere.

1. Masala chai

Chai, or tea, has been an integral part of Indian society since the British helped popularise it. One of the country’s iconic sights is a ‘chai wallah’, or ‘tea seller’, walking through the streets or a train carriage selling some of the tastiest, sweetest tea you’ll ever find. It’s delicious, it's cheap and it’s woven tightly into the country’s fabric. When you buy a cuppa from a chai wallah, we have no doubts they'll be able to tell you a fascinating story or two about India.

2. Lassi

This yoghurt-based drink is thought to be the world’s first smoothie, and it's super popular all over India. There are a few different types of lassi on offer, though the most popular include salty lassi, mango lassi and the infamous bhang lassi, which is infused with cannabis and often served as part of the Holi festival celebrations.

3. Chaach

Chaach is often confused for lassi. While lassi is made from yoghurt, chaach is made from buttermilk – the liquid leftover when butter is churned out of cream. It’s more watery than lassi, with a slightly sour and salty taste, and sweet or savoury spices are often added into the mix to provide Ayurvedic benefits. Chaach goes down very well on a hot day.

4. Kingfisher

Kingfisher is the iconic Indian beer. It can be found all over India, and while it isn’t anything particularly special from a taste perspective, it’ll hold a special place in your heart once your time in India has come to an end. Just watch out for the ‘Kingfisher Strong’ brand – at eight per cent, it’s been known to play havoc with the uninitiated traveller’s stomach.

Return to India FAQs

Our tours in India

15 Days From 22995

Travel to India and visit the Rajasthan region. Tour from Delhi to Pushkar through...

8 Days From 14132

Take an action-packed eight-day tour through the essential sights and bites of India’s...

11 Days From 9988

Get the most out of 11 days in India on this trip exploring the best of Delhi, Varanasi...

15 Days From 40720

See the best of Rajasthan on this 15-day tour. Behold the delights of Agra, Jaipur,...

22 Days From 16626

See the essentials of India’s north on a 22-day trip through Delhi, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur,...

Tailor-Made trips

Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary

14 Days From 51060

Take in north India’s fabled cities and encounter the exotic wildlife of Ranthambhore...

10 Days From 53367

Take a 10-day India Premium adventure with Intrepid through the country’s north,...

15 Days From 29940

Explore the tropical and spiritual southern India. Ride the toy train in Ooty, relax in...

15 Days From 24588

Travel to India and Nepal on a tour from Delhi to Kathmandu. Visit the Taj Mahal of...

10 Days From 14160

Take an action-packed family tour of India, following tiger trails, visiting Delhi and...

13 Days From 26154

Travel to India and visit Delhi, Shimla, Mandi, Dharamsala, Rishikesh and Amritsar on...

13 Days From 57245

Join Intrepid on a Premium adventure to explore the beaches, bazaars and backwaters of...

15 Days From 16932

Discover India in all its glory on this 15-day spice-filled adventure from Delhi...

16 Days From 17085

See the landscapes of South India on a 16-day adventure from Varkala to Goa via Kerala...

22 Days From 112315

Join Intrepid on a Premium adventure to explore opulent places, holy Ganges, dense...

12 Days From 20651

Join an all-women group and female leader on an inspiring women’s expedition through...

15 Days From 33944

Relish the sights and flavours of Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Mumbai and Goa on this...

13 Days From 28348

Explore the backroads of India’s south on this 13-day tour. Travel from Chennai to...

13 Days From 12844

Explore India and Nepal on an adventure that hits Delhi, Jaipur, Tordi, Lumbini, Agra,...

37 Days From 40355

Discover the colours and cultures of India on this trip visiting Delhi, Rajasthan's...

10 Days From 27032

Adventure through North India, hitting all the highlights like Delhi, Varanasi, the...

19 Days From 44270

Spend 19 days touring India and Nepal, departing from Delhi and visiting Jaipur, Agra,...

29 Days From 60060

This 29-day tour traverses India from south to north, winding from Kochi to Delhi and...

14 Days From 23700

Tour Northern India on this comfortable family holiday from Delhi to Agra, Ranthambhore...

16 Days From 8565

Get an authentic slice of the real Rajasthan on a trip that takes you to Delhi,...

15 Days From 33075

Travel to India and cycle the romantic Rajasthan region. Tour from Delhi to Pushkar and...

19 Days From 40109

Visit India and tour the famous Golden Triangle of Dehli, Agra, and Jaipur, delve into...

20 Days From 20360

Take a journey through India and Nepal, exploring Kathmandu, Tordi, Jaipur, Agra,...

3 Days From 5225

Visit India and travel from Delhi to Agra. Travel to the Taj Mahal and Agra’s Red Fort,...

11 Days From 10498

Jaunt around north India, with rickshaws in Delhi, spirituality in Varanasi, yoga in...

15 Days From 22310

Get on the road from Kathmandu to Delhi on a trip from Nepal to India, through Pokhara,...

11 Days From 14318

Discover northern India on this tour through Delhi, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Nimaj,...

22 Days From 78825

Get a cultural insight into India’s north and south, travelling through Delhi, Agra,...

20 Days From 31805

Spend time in Kathmandu and Pokhara and then see where Buddha did his thing. Get active...

16 Days From 50305

Discover the beauty of India’s most remote area on an expedition that visits Sikkim,...

4 Days From 4640

Lift your spirits as you float on the Ganges at dawn in Varanasi, and explore the city...

18 Days From 97790

Explore Northern India and Sri Lanka on this 18-day Premium adventure