There is a different kind of fascination in drinking in the mountains. Whether sipping a hot coffee or a chilled beer, both experiences feel magical when we are in the hills. Furthermore, the expanses of the Himalayas in India offer a myriad of local drinks that are not only unique in taste, but can also soothe our senses. Here is a list of the local drinks you must try next time you are in the Himalayas.
Lugdi
Famous in Manali, this rice beer got its mention in the Bollywood blockbuster Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani. Lugdi, sometimes also made from barley, is available on the snow-covered slopes of the Himalayas. The drink is raw, strong and very hot for the body.
Burans
Native to the Uttarakhand Himalayas, burans or buransh is a bright red drink made from rhododendron flower petals. Popular with the Garhwali and Kumaoni, this drink has antioxidant properties and can help fight altitude sickness. It is also known to control liver, kidney, heart, and skin disorders.
Tongba
Tongba is a unique millet-based alcoholic beverage popular on the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas. When you are in Sikkim, Darjeeling or Nepal, you can try this drink to get rid of the cold. Tongba is often eaten through a bamboo straw from a bamboo container. It is served hot, unlike other liquors. Tongba is sometimes known as Chaang.
Chulli
Chulli is a local Himachali drink prepared with apples and apricots. It is a non-alcoholic alcoholic drink available in the Kinnaur region of Himachal Pradesh. Also known as ghanti, it is a vodka-like drink with a fruity essence. The drink lifts the spirits and is known for its healing properties.
Saino Rio Red Wine
What if we told you that you can get a bottle of Indian red wine for just ₹ 50? Well, we’re not kidding, a small bottle of Sikkim Saino Rio red wine costs just ₹ 50. Made with red or black grape pulp, then fermented with grape skin, this red wine tastes sweet and luscious. This is one of the best local wines of Sikkim.
