What to drink in Spain

Made with crushed ice and fresh fruit juice or syrup, this is a drink for a hot summer's day. There are all sorts of flavours, but the most popular is limon – made with lemon juice, sugar and shaved lemon peel. This is the perfect, refreshing drink after a long day of exploring cities like Madrid and Barcelona.

Cava is Spain’s version of champagne – it’s made in a similar way but with different grapes. There are several varieties, including blanco (white) and rosado (pink) – you’ll have to try both to see which one you prefer!  

La Rioja province in northern Spain is world famous for wine. Rioja wines are split into four categories – Generico, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva – depending on how long they’ve matured. You can expect a medium to full-bodied vino with high tannins and notes of dark berries, earthy herbs and sometimes oak.  

Ratafia is an ancient Mediterranean liqueur made from macerated fruits, herbs and nuts, and usually includes walnut, cinnamon and nutmeg. Catalan ratafia is sweet, strong (up to 30% ABV) and is best drunk as a digestif over ice, or as an accompanying beverage with dessert. It’s also delicious poured over ice cream. 

Also known as ‘fire drink’, this one is from Galicia and drunk as part of an ancient Celtic ritual believed to ward off evil spirits. It’s made by simmering lemon peel, coffee beans, cinnamon and a strong alcoholic liqueur called orujo over a big stove pot, then it’s set on fire until the flame turns blue. You're likely to come across this fiery drink in villages across the Camino!

Made with dry fino sherry, lemon or lime soda, mint and ice, Rebujito is a refreshing drink to cool down in the intense summer heat. It’s an alcoholic punch from Andalusia, the southernmost region of Spain, and is best paired with seafood or salty cheese and cold meats.  

If you like the intensity of port and brandy, chances are you’ll like Jerez, a fortified sherry wine from the southern region of Cadiz. Jerez varies in sweetness and colour, ranging from a pale yellow to a darker brown. A glass of Jerez is best enjoyed as a digestif or with something rich and sweet.  

We couldn’t not feature Sangria on this list. Sangria is an iconic Spanish drink loved around the world. There are many versions, but the classic recipe is with red wine, brandy or vermouth, sliced apples and oranges, and sparkling soda. A crowd-pleasing pitcher of Sangria is the perfect drink to share with fellow travellers over tapas.  

A refreshing, milky drink popular in Valencia, Horchata is made from tiger nuts, water and sugar, and is a slightly nutty and sweet drink. It's loved year round, but you'll see most locals drinking it chilled during the hot summer months and sometimes paired with a pastry.

Valencian Water can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic – your choice! While it's traditionally made with orange juice, cava, vodka and gin, some places offer a mocktail version with orange juice and sparkling water. Regardless of which version you choose, it's guaranteed to be refreshing.

The best way to really know a culture is through its food. From paella to jamon and all the tapas, here's what you should look out for on your next trip to Spain.

There's no need to stress over what to pack for your trip to Spain. What you'll need will depend on the time of year and which region you're visiting, but here's a good starting point.

The best time to visit Spain is in the shoulder seasons of spring and early autumn, but there are perks to visiting any time of year. When to go depends on what you want to do!