While a cup of tea may be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of an English drink, it is far from the only one. We'll look at some of the most popular English drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) that you might want to try during your visit.
Eggnog
Warming, spicy, creamy, and thick, eggnog is a wintertime drink made with milk, sugar, eggs, and alcohol. The most likely theory claims that the combination of eggs and alcohol was an adaptation of posset—a hot drink made with spiced milk curdled with either ale or wine.
According to some stories, monks produced similar festive mixtures of eggs and distilled alcohol. Alcohol-laced milky drinks, on the other hand, were undoubtedly relished throughout mediaeval Europe, but they were notably popular among the British elite.
Ginger beer
Ginger beer was once an alcoholic beverage prepared from fermented ginger, sugar, and water; however, many commercial ginger beers now contain less than 5% alcohol and are categorised as non-alcoholic. It comes from England, where ginger, water, sugar, and occasionally lemon were fermented and brewed with a starting culture, yielding a drink with 11 per cent.
The carbonation in ginger beer is a natural reaction generated by the brewing process; nonetheless, ginger beer is less carbonated than ginger ale, a soft drink. Ginger beer is available in a range of flavours and can be murky or clear.
Whiskey
Whisky, often spelt whiskey, is a spirit manufactured from fermented grains such as corn, rye, wheat, and barley that is always matured, primarily in oak barrels. Since both the Irish and the Scots claim whisky as their invention, the narrative of its discovery has sparked fierce arguments.
It's difficult to say where distillation began due to a lack of written documentation, but it's thought that Christian monks first introduced it to the British Isles, followed by apothecaries. Until the introduction of the important element—ageing a distillate in oak casks, which resulted in a fragrant and mellow drink with a wide diversity of aromas—these original variants had little in common with modern-day versions.
English Breakfast Tea
Without including the nation's favourite hot beverage, tea, no article about British drinks would be complete. Tea is a national activity in the United Kingdom, and the British take it very seriously. Of course, there are many different types of tea, with black tea being the most popular. Since its introduction in the 17th century, tea has become the national beverage.
PG Tips, Typhoo, Tetley, Twinings, and Yorkshire Tea are just a few of the brands you'll come across in the UK. Earl Grey, named after Charles Grey the 2nd Earl Grey, a 19th century British Prime Minister, is another popular tea in the UK. Don't miss a visit to his home, Howick Hall, near Alnwick in Northumberland, where you may try Earl Grey tea at the teahouse.
Ovaltine and Horlicks
Ovaltine or Horlicks were a staple of every British child's youth. They're malt-based drinks made with warm milk. Despite the fact that these brands are unrelated, they are both delicious and beneficial to your health. Horlicks came from the United States, whereas Ovaltine came from Switzerland, despite their popularity in the United Kingdom. Before going to bed, British teenagers generally drink a hot cup of Ovaltine or Horlicks, either to warm up during the winter months or to aid sleep. Ovaltine and Horlicks are both considered healthy drinks since they include essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. However, because they are high in sugar, adults should treat them as a hot chocolate drink rather than a regular healthy beverage.
There you have it, some of the most popular drinks to try in the United Kingdom.