You are an elegant, worldly human. You crave something beyond the ordinary gin fizz at some pub on your corner (although there’s a time and a place for that, too). We rounded up 5 unusual liquors you need to try so you can appear to be the completely well-traveled, shiny piece of humanity we know you can be.
Beer, wine, vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and whiskey are some of the most popular alcohols, but if you fancy yourself somewhat of a connoisseur, here are a few unusual liquors to add to your liquor cabinet:
- Kaoliang: This liquor is made from sorghum that has been fermented, and is one of the most popular of the hard liquors from Taiwan. You can find it in mainland China, Korea, and very specific Asian grocery stores in the U.S., but it’s definitely not a drink to try if you don’t have a strong stomach and constitution. The drink is anywhere from 38 to 63% ABV, making it a potent liquor that you should definitely not drink casually!
- Ogogoro: For those who want to try the best of African alcohol, ogogoro is a unique brew native to West Africa. It’s particularly popular in Nigeria, and it is considered a “homebrew”. The liquor is made from the juice of Raffia palm trees. The juice is collected similar to the way maple syrup is collected in Canada: an incision is carved into the tree, and a gourd is hung beneath the incision for a day or two. The ethanol content of the drink is VERY high, with an alcohol content anywhere between 30 and 60%. It can be an extremely dangerous drink, and it’s estimated that incorrectly brewed ogogoro (like moonshine) kills hundreds of people each year.
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- Shochu: The Japanese do not pull their punches when it comes to shochu. This drink is made from distilled rice, buckwheat, barley, or sweet potatoes, and it has an alcohol content approaching 25%. If the shochu is multiple-distilled, it can reach 35% ABV. The name means “burned liquor”, and it is drunk on its own or with fruit juice, oolong tea, soda, or hot water.
- Metaxa: For a truly unique liqueur, give Metaxa a try. This drink is made from brandy that has been blended with wine and various flavorings, and it’s a strong, sweet beverage that is hugely popular in Greece. The drink starts out being distilled like brandy, aging in oak casks, but with Muscat wine blended into the mix. Floral and herb extracts are added, and rose petals are stirred in to ensure a rich, varied flavor. While it’s not known exactly what ingredients go into Metaxa (the House of Metaxa guards the secret closely), a large part of the flavor comes from the Muscat grapes.
- Mezcal: Many people have a hard time telling the difference between mezcal and tequila, but one mouthful of the stuff will make it very clear! The liquid is made from the heart of the maguey plant, which grows all over Mexico. It’s particularly prevalent in Oaxaca, where much of the country’s Mezcal comes from. The drink has a strong, smoky flavor that is noticeably different from tequila, which is made from a specific plant (the blue agave) that is not as widespread as the maguey plant. The good news is that mezcal, despite its similarity to the name “mescaline”, has no mescaline or psychedelic substances. It’s just a potent liquor that’s readily available around Mexico.
If you’re a real connoisseur of under-the-radar alcohols, these are a few of the unique and unusual liquors to add to your liquor cabinet. They may not be easy to get your hands on, but they’ll be worth it!
