International Drinks

Around the world
International imbibing
By Stefanie Arck
Special to amNewYork

If you can’t take a real tour of the world this summer, consider taking your own cocktail cruise around the city. Visit Spain, Greece, Mexico and more by sampling their native drinks at these closer-by sipping spots.

Brazil: Caipirinha
Churrascaria Plataforma
221 West Broadway
212-925-6969
316 W. 49th Street,
212-245-0505
Caipirinha is the national drink of Brazil, featuring cachaça, a liquor distilled from sugarcane juice, sugar and lime. In addition to the traditional version of the caipirinha, Churascarria features unique cachaça drinks including a CaipiMargarita, CaipiCosmo, CaipiSake and CaipiWine. All Brazilian drinks compliment the overwhelming weddingstyle buffet followed by (if you have room) Brazilianstyle meats served on skewers.

Germany: Beer
Zum Schneider Bavarian Beer House
107 Avenue C at 7th Street
212-598-1098
If you enjoy beer wenches, oompah bands, German grub and, of course, beer, stop by this East Village ale house and get your fill. Zum Schneider features 12 rare German beers on tap, served in glasses ranging from small to steins as big as your head. Imbibe in an enchanted forest-like atmosphere, with indoor trees and foliage, or if you prefer the real outdoors, try to snag a sidewalk table.

Greece: Ouzo
Barbounia
250 Park Ave. South
212-995-0242
Ouzo is a black licorice-flavored anisette from Greece. Barbounia, a restaurant that celebrates Mediterranean cuisine, features its native liquor in a pure form, and also in a drink called the Ouzo Menthe. This green tea-colored cocktail mixes Ouzo with fresh lemonade and fresh mint for a refreshing taste of Greece.

Mexico: Margarita
Rancho
570 Amsterdam Ave. at 88th Street
212-362-1514
This cantina may serve food, but many patrons will never know after having more than one of its sweet and dangerous margaritas. Serving more than 20 kinds of tequila, Rancho offers original margaritas, as well as 10 flavors on the rocks or frozen, including mango, pineapple and coconut. The frozen version looks like an inviting white volcano with pretty colorful lava on the top, but don’t be fooled — these cute cocktails pack a punch.

Japan: Sake
Chibi’s Bar
238 Mott St. at Prince Street
212-274-0054
Chibi is a lucky dog (a lucky French bulldog) who has a sake bar in SoHo named after him. Too bad he can’t enjoy the long list of sake or delicious sake drinks, including the Saketini and Chibitini. When you get there, don’t refer to sake as Japanese rice wine, as that’s not an accurate description; sake actually has more in common with beer than wine in the way it’s produced.

Peru: Pisco
Mancora
176 Smith St.
718-643-2629
99 1st Ave. at 6th Street
212-253-1011
Both locations of Mancora, named after the small beach town on the North coast of Peru, are friendly spots that are high on service and ambience, but not on prices. The bar serves the drink of Peru, the Pisco Sour. Made with egg whites, the Pisco Sour it hasn’t really caught on here, and that’s why Mancora serves Pisco in other cocktails such as the Piscorita and Piscotini.

Russia: Vodka
Russian Vodka Room
265 W. 52nd St.
212-307-5835
You like vodka? You come here. This always-packed Midtown spot offers a nofrills, windowless, downand-dirty drinking experience. You can get vodka in its pure form, you can have it in a mixed drink, you can get a shot of house-infused vodka from the large vats behind the bar. However you like it, you can get it.

Spain: Sangria
Suba
109 Ludlow St.
212-982-5714
Suba, a Spanish restaurant on the LES, celebrates the Spanish culture with a menu of more than 20 tasty tapas and six kinds of unique and delicious sangria. In addition to traditional red, you can order Peach & Blueberry Cava, Passionfruit White, Watermelon Rosado, Blackberry Red, Iced Tea Fino and even Brewsky Beer Sangria.