Seven Deadly Sins: A Travellers Guide to National Firewaters.

As seasoned travellers we are always willing to try new things, be it leaping off of bridges with a bit of stretchy cable lassoed around your ankles or jumping out of a perfectly sound airplane, even being chased by bulls through the streets of Pamplona seems to be okay for some. However one thing that makes me shiver with dread is the after dinner shot that is often served up by well meaning waiters, usually in a plain container with no reference to its origin and strength, or the hooch that is passed around as a local specialty and ends up giving me the mother of all hangovers.

Raki and cake, what a way to finish the evening

I am currently in Crete dealing with Raki but have endured some equally throat constricting liquors through my travels around the world. What follows is a short guide to some of the more popular firewaters and their origins.

1. Raki /Tsikoudia: Greece, mostly Crete

This awesome kicker is made from the waste products of winemaking and is very strong. Served often in little decanters it will give you a good throat burn so it’s best drunk with the melon or other fruits that accompany it. The Greek/Cretan Raki is different to the Turkish one as it is colourless and has no anise added. It seems that this drink has been drunk in the region though the ages in some form or other which would explain a lot!

Pain factor: 9/10

2. Aquardente de Medronho: Portugal

This Algarve treat brings back memories of summers in Portugal, long meals followed by the potent Medronho and some figs. This drink is based on a straight aquardente but with the addition of flavourings from the Strawberry tree, the fruits of which are ripened and used to give the fiery liqueur its distinctive taste. There are also other variants that should be sampled, including Brandymel.

Pain factor: 7/10

3. Becherovka: Czech Republic

Becherovka, the worst of the worst!

Oh my, a bitters drink from Karlovy Vary that will spank you six ways from Sunday. I first tasted this in a nightclub in Prague and it has not improved with experience. The liquor itself has had a chequered history due to the occupation of Czechoslovakia during the Second World War and the following communist control of the country. Family interests kept the brand and the spirit alive in Germany and control over the name has only recently been settled. Serve it cold and don’t spill any on your clothes!

Pain factor: 10/10

4. Grappa: Italy

My friend’s father loves to serve this to us after a meal in his little village of Pieve near La Spezia in Liguria; if you were sick he would ply you with it morning and night as a cure all! Another distilled drink Grappa is unique to Italy and originates from the village of Bassano del Grappa and unlike some of the entries in our list this is meant to be sipped and savoured rather that tossed down in one. There is also a single grape Grappa available however you are unlikely to get one of these free after a meal. In an aside Italians are fond of adding a drop to their morning coffee to ‘correct’ it.

Pain factor: 4/10

5. Cognac: France

Classy and sophisticated, this is one for serious palates. Named after the French town of Cognac the recipe is over three hundred years old and must be strictly adhered to, including aging in oak barrels. A wonderful time can be had touring the region and sampling the varieties in their natural home. If your wallet can stand it visit some of the wonderful châteaux’s and try some of the XO ones and revel in their complexity.

Pain factor: 2/10

6. Jägermeister: Germany

The Jagerbar in Beliz

I was in Belize recently, staying at Pedro’s backpackers in San Pedro on Ambergris Cay. The owner, Peter Lawrence, an inveterate Jägermeister lover has a double barrelled chiller that kicks out the spicy bitters at a perfect temperature. The walls are adorned with old bottles and when the bell is rung at the bar the ringer must pay for a round for all those in attendance. I once heard that bell rung 21 times. I was in bed by ring 12 but it rang and rang and rang! Contrary to myth there is no elk’s blood in the mix but it is sweeter than other bitters and once a taste is acquired it is quite palatable.

Pain factor: 5/10

7. Tequila: Mexico

While tequila is not strictly an after dinner drink it would be remiss of me not to include this most famous of beverages. A favourite of spring-breakers and aficionados alike the world wide popularity of tequila is legendary however we need to make a few distinctions. There are two main types of tequila; 100% blue agave which is the purest and others, called mixto that are 51% with other additions. The latter is the one you will find in the bars and most cocktails whereas the former is sought after and can reach very high prices indeed.

If you are looking at a bottle with a worm in it you will be drinking Mezcal, similar to tequila it is made from other agave plants with less control in its manufacture. Those of you who have the chance to pass through Oaxaca should take the chance to sample one or two as these are the best in Mexico.

Pain factor: 2/10 to 9/10

Remember always drink in moderation…..or as Ernest Hemingway may have said “Bring four pitchers of beer to our table every hour until one of us falls asleep, then bring two”