NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
Sweet fruits from Armenian valleys are perfect for making juices. During harvest season, all housewives preserve juices and compotes in jars, and if you find yourself in Armenia, be sure to try homemade juice or compote. All the aroma of Armenian fruits and vitamins are preserved in the juice. You should try peach, apricot juice, hawthorn compote, currant compote, etc.
Armenian tarragon lemonade is popular far beyond Armenia. Instead of regular cola or Pepsi, try tarragon lemonade; it perfectly refreshes and quenches thirst.
With real Armenian shashlik, it's a sin not to drink Armenian tan. Essentially, it's matzoon diluted with water or mineral water with added salt. If you care about your figure, tan is a great drink to quench thirst, containing not a single calorie. If you have already tried tan and liked it, write down the recipe. Dilute the required amount of matzoon with water to get a semi-thick drink. Add salt to taste – and enjoy.
Armenia's wealth is its healing mineral waters. And this same mineral water is an integral part of Armenian feasts. Mineral water goes perfectly with national meat dishes. You can try low-carbonated or highly carbonated, Jermuk, Arzni or Bjni – they are all beneficial.
BEER
You may be surprised, but Armenians brewed beer even before our era, and there is written evidence from the Greek chronicler Xenophon. Let's not delve into historical facts, just note that Armenians still brew beer today. All pubs and bars in the country have the full range of Armenian beer, mostly on draft, so instead of well-known brands, start tasting local Armenian beer.
The Kilikia Beer brewery opened in 1952, and today the plant produces about twenty varieties of unique beer, which are distinguished by excellent aroma and taste.
The second most popular beer brand is Kotayk with a pronounced and sharp taste of hops. Kotayk Gold is the most popular, has a milder taste, and is suitable for lovers of light beers.
Alexandrapol Premium Beer is the embodiment of traditions. The brewery is located in the city of Gyumri, in the restored Leninakan Brewery plant. The brewery and premium beer are a kind of symbol of the revival of old traditions.
VODKA
Fruit vodka is another well-known alcoholic drink that adorns the Armenian table. Armenians prepare unique types of vodka from fruits and berries; the taste is unusually aromatic, and the strength can be compared to the well-known tequila.
The most popular Armenian vodka is mulberry vodka. It has an unusual aroma, but it is famous for its healing properties. It is taken as a peculiar and quite effective medicine for the stomach and heart. Armenians are so proud of their mulberry vodka that they dedicated an entire festival to it. It is organized every year on July 4th in the city of Goris. On site, you can taste homemade mulberry vodka, as well as try national dishes and take part in the fun.
WINE TOUR OF ARMENIA
We saved the most important for last. Of course, wine is a national treasure of Armenia. This country can safely be considered the cradle of winemaking. If you are a true wine connoisseur, then when considering tours to Armenia, you should pay attention to a wine tour, which includes visits to all major wineries. Each region and each winery has its own traditions and secrets of winemaking, and each of them is unique.
Start your wine tour with the Areni region, which has rightfully earned the title of 'The Most Wine Region of Armenia'. In the village of Areni, absolutely everyone is engaged in growing grapes. There are more than 200 varieties of grapes in Armenia, and almost all can be found in one place. If you are lucky enough to visit Areni in early autumn, after the harvest, you will witness a wonderful celebration. It is in Areni that the famous Wine Festival is held, where winemakers from all over the country gather and present their masterpieces. Here you can taste Armenian wines, and also take part in making wine yourself. Yes, yes, exactly – stomp grapes with your feet!
Your wine tour of Armenia's regions will be much more comfortable in your own car. Car rental service in Yerevan gives you the opportunity to rent any car, with a driver if desired.
ARMENIAN COGNAC
Armenian cognac is another national treasure that one can be proud of. During the USSR times, Armenian cognac was considered the best, and today Armenian cognac holds its position on the world market as one of the best.
If you are in Yerevan, you should visit the Yerevan Cognac Factory. The brand ArArAt has become the business card of Armenia on the international market as one of the best cognac producers. At the production site, you will be given a tour of the factory museum, where you will get acquainted with the legend of Armenian cognac, but the most interesting is yet to come. You will be taken to the drink aging workshop, where you can enjoy the unforgettable aroma of oak barrels. In the tasting room, you will be offered to try and feel the rich aroma of the best Armenian cognac.