When in Goa, do as the Goans do! Goan parties are known for their crazy fun, music, and, of course, alcohol! We’ve all heard of the famous Feni, or cashew Feni, which is a must-have drink at any party in Goa. However, there are so many more indigenous options to explore when it comes to drinking in Goa.
Let us take you through some of the top 10 alcoholic drinks in Goa that you cannot miss out on if you plan on having some fun here:
- Vinho Fontainhas
Reuben Coutinho and Tanishq Palekar created Vinho Fontainhas, a high-quality port wine, to counter the stereotype of cheap port wine sold in plastic bottles in Goa. The Latin Quarters of Goa's Panjim neighborhood inspired the wine's moniker. The area is characterized by its colonial architecture and winding, narrow streets. This light-bodied vino is an excellent choice for sipping during the day.
- Cazulo Feni
Feni is super popular in Goa and is often seen as the beverage of choice at local shacks or while enjoying the beach. Fenny is quite light and easy to drink, making it a great drink to start off your night with; traditional cashew and coconut flavors are still available.
- Desmondji’s Mahua and Agave
This refined and smooth spirit from Goa is distilled in pot stills using only sugarcane. Desmondji can be enjoyed straight up or in high-end cocktails like the Caipirinha, Mojito, or Daiquiri. The Deccan Plateau in India is home to a variety of sugarcane varieties that are carefully chosen to produce this pure and silky spirit.
- Urak
Urak, the initial distillation of Feni, has an alcohol content of about 15%, whereas the alcohol volume percent of Feni is around 45%, so you can pour almost half as much into a glass. Urak can only be had during the summer months, unlike the year-round availability of Feni. Since it contains less alcohol, it is typically served with a lot of lemonade, ice, and soda.
- Armada
The spice liqueur known as Armada is based on a centuries-old family recipe that dates back to the time when Portugal was under Portuguese rule. A bold and exquisite flavor is achieved by combining Indian spices, Portuguese fruit, and Brazilian sugar. The Goans enjoy using Armada to make a variety of rich desserts, such as chocolate brownies, Christmas cakes, ice cream, and profiteroles. Armada took home the Outstanding Gold Medal from the International Wine & Spirit Competition.
- Woodburns Whisky
Goan whisky Woodburns is a smoky, full-bodied blend with a smooth peated malt aftertaste. Woodburns is the end product of six years of hard work by the dedicated staff at Fullarton Distilleries, a family-run, 11-acre scenic distillery in Goa's Candepar. This whisky is 100% Indian; no scotch or malt from anywhere else in the world is used in its production.
- Copter 7 Beer
With the help of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Copter 7 is one of the more intriguing new brands in the Indian beer market this year. Those who appreciate a good lager are likely to become fans of the beer itself, and curious beer drinkers will want to give it a shot for the same reason.
- People’s Lager Beer
Some nearly extinct heirloom rice varieties from Goa are used to make this lager. Brewery founder Suraj Shenai's light lager is fermented with Ukda rice grown in the area and is ideal for bottomless afternoons spent lazing in an Assagao villa pool.
- Paul John Whisky
It’s no coincidence that this whisky is appropriately dubbed the "Great Indian Single Malt," with its warm, tropical flavors of Goa in a bottle. Its malted barley comes from the foothills of the Himalayas and is double-distilled before being aged in oak barrels. Colors like copper, mahogany, and amber emerge in the whisky as it ages, while the liquor is infused with a wide variety of flavors, including chocolate, coconut, spices, marmalade, dry fruits, and honey.
- Seqer Gin
Adriel Sequeira, owner of Spirit de Goa, came up with the idea for his gin while the city was under lockdown. There are ten different plants used to make this product, including juniper, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, rosemary, and, of course, cashew nuts. Light and herbal, with a hint of cardamom and orange peel, these notes are subtle and pleasant. Scents of juniper, nutmeg, and rosemary are present. Try it with a tonic, soda, an orange slice, or ginger ale.
- Segredo Aldeia Rum
The latest releases from Fullarton Distilleries are a white rum and a café rum. Cane and jaggery are used in their production. The blend of aged and unaged spirits in this clear white rum gives it a dry finish with hints of vanilla and caramel. However, the café rum has a beautiful amber color because it is infused with darkly roasted whole coffee beans.
If you are ever in Goa, these are a few things you shouldn’t miss out on. And if you find yourself in any situation where you don’t know what to order, make sure you ask for Feni! So, what are you waiting for? This is your chance to go on a vacation and have some great alcohol at the same time!