Spanish drinks: 25 traditional beverages locals actually order

Spanish drinks go far beyond sangria. Each region has its own specialities, from Asturian cider poured from a height to Valencian horchata served with sweet fartons.

We've been living in Spain for years, and this guide covers the traditional beverages you'll actually find in bars and cafés across the country. What they are, where they come from, what they cost, and which ones locals order (hint: it's not sangria).

If you want the full picture, check out how to eat like a local in Spain and how to order coffee in Malaga.

Most drinks cost €2-4. In summer, locals order tinto de verano or clara. In winter, it's chocolate caliente with churros. Each region has its own speciality: sherry in Andalusia, sidra in Asturias, horchata in Valencia.

Spanish drinks at a glance

Drink	Type	Region	Price	Best For
Tinto de Verano	Wine cocktail	Andalusia	€2.50-4	Summer refreshment
Sangria	Wine punch	Nationwide	€5-8/glass	Sharing with friends
Cava	Sparkling wine	Catalonia	€3-5/glass	Celebrations
Sherry	Fortified wine	Andalusia	€3-5	Tapas pairing
Rebujito	Sherry cocktail	Andalusia	€3-5	Feria season
Gin Tonic	Cocktail	Nationwide	€8-12	Evening drinks
Clara	Beer shandy	Nationwide	€2-3.50	Hot days
Sidra	Cider	Asturias/Basque	€2.50-4	Traditional experience
Café con Leche	Coffee	Nationwide	€1.50-2.50	Breakfast
Horchata	Tiger nut milk	Valencia	€2-3.50	Summer treat
Mosto	Grape juice	Andalusia	€1.50-2.50	Non-alcoholic option
Chocolate Caliente	Hot chocolate	Nationwide	€2.50-4	Winter mornings

Wine-based Spanish drinks

Tinto de Verano

Tinto de verano ("summer wine") is what locals actually drink when tourists are ordering sangria. A simple mix of red wine and sparkling lemon soda (usually Casera or Fanta Limón), served over ice with a slice of lemon.

It originated in Córdoba, Andalusia, in the 1920s and remains the go-to summer drink across southern Spain. Unlike sangria, it's quick to make, cheaper, and you'll find it at every chiringuito (beach bar) and tapas spot.

Ask for it "con limón" (with lemon soda) for a sweeter version, or "con casera" (with soda water) if you prefer it drier. Either way, it costs half the price of sangria and you'll blend right in with the locals.

Price: €2.50-4.00 | Where: Everywhere, especially Andalusia | Best for: Hot summer days

Sangria

Sangria is Spain's most famous drink internationally, though locals rarely order it. Made with red wine, chopped fruit (oranges, lemons, apples), a splash of brandy, and sometimes triple sec or orange juice.

The name comes from "sangre" (blood), referring to its deep red colour. It's traditionally served in a large pitcher to share and is best enjoyed cold on a hot day.

Sangria is considered a tourist drink in most of Spain. If you want to drink like a local, order tinto de verano instead. But if you're at a big group dinner and want something festive, sangria is still a perfectly good choice.

Price: €5-8/glass, €15-20/pitcher | Where: Tourist areas, restaurants | Best for: Sharing with a group

Cava

Cava is Spain's answer to Champagne, made using the same traditional method (méthode champenoise) but with local grape varieties: Macabeo, Xarel·lo, and Parellada.

Most cava comes from the Penedès region in Catalonia, near Barcelona.

By law, it must be aged for at least nine months. The result is a crisp, refreshing sparkling wine at a fraction of Champagne prices.

Look for these quality levels:

• Cava: aged 9+ months
• Cava Reserva: aged 15+ months
• Cava Gran Reserva: aged 30+ months

Price: €3-5/glass, €6-20/bottle | Where: Catalonia, nationwide | Best for: Celebrations, brunch

Sherry (Jerez)

Spain's most famous fortified wine comes from the "Sherry Triangle" in Andalusia: Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, and El Puerto de Santa María. The name "sherry" is the English pronunciation of Jerez.

Sherry comes in several styles:

• Fino: dry, pale, served chilled with seafood tapas
• Manzanilla: light fino from Sanlúcar, salty tang
• Amontillado: amber, nutty, medium-dry
• Oloroso: dark, rich, full-bodied
• Pedro Ximénez (PX): intensely sweet, syrupy, served over ice cream

Price: €3-5/glass | Where: Andalusia (best in Jerez) | Best for: Tapas pairing

Rebujito

Rebujito is a refreshing cocktail of fino sherry mixed with lemon-lime soda (usually Sprite or 7UP), fresh mint, and ice. It originated at the Feria de Abril in Seville and is now the official drink of Andalusian ferias.

During feria season, you'll see entire casetas (festival tents) serving nothing but rebujito in plastic cups. It's light, easy to drink, and dangerously drinkable in the Andalusian heat.

Price: €3-5 | Where: Andalusia, especially during ferias | Best for: Feria de Sevilla, hot weather

Kalimotxo

Kalimotxo (pronounced ka-lee-MO-cho) is the Basque Country's contribution to Spanish drinking culture: equal parts cheap red wine and Coca-Cola, served over ice.

It sounds terrible, but it works.

The cola softens the tannins of rough wine, creating something surprisingly drinkable. It originated in the 1970s at a festival in Getxo when the wine went bad and someone had the idea to mix it with cola to mask the taste.

Price: €2.50-4.00 | Where: Basque Country, nationwide | Best for: Parties, botellón (outdoor drinking)

Vermut (Vermouth)

Vermut has made a major comeback in Spain. This fortified wine infused with herbs, spices, and botanicals was once considered an old man's drink, but vermut bars (vermuterías) have popped up across Barcelona and Madrid.

The Spanish tradition is "la hora del vermut" (vermouth hour), typically around noon on Sundays before lunch. It's served in a small glass with ice, a slice of orange, and an olive, alongside some olives or chips.

Price: €2.50-4.00 | Where: Catalonia, Madrid | Best for: Pre-lunch aperitivo

Agua de Valencia

Agua de Valencia was invented in 1959 by Constante Gil at the Café Madrid in Valencia. The recipe: fresh Valencia orange juice, cava (or champagne), vodka, and gin.

It's served in a large pitcher to share and is stronger than it looks. The sweetness of the orange juice masks the alcohol content, so pace yourself.

Price: €15-25/pitcher | Where: Valencia | Best for: Group celebrations

Beer-based Spanish drinks

Caña

A caña is a small glass of draught beer, typically around 200ml. It's the most common way to order beer in Spain, especially in the south, because it stays cold in the heat.

In the Basque Country, ask for a zurito (even smaller).

In Catalonia, a quinto or canya. Each region has its own term.

Price: €1.50-2.50 | Where: Everywhere | Best for: Tapas hopping

The main Spanish beer brands you'll see everywhere are Mahou and San Miguel (Madrid), Estrella Damm (Barcelona), Cruzcampo (Seville), Alhambra (Granada), and Estrella Galicia (Galicia). Each region is loyal to its local brand, and asking for the wrong one can get you a look.

Clara

Clara is Spain's version of a shandy: beer mixed with lemon soda (clara con limón) or sparkling water (clara con casera). It's lighter than a full beer and perfect for hot afternoons when you want something refreshing but not too strong.

Price: €2.00-3.50 | Where: Everywhere, especially beach bars | Best for: Hot summer days

Spirits and liqueurs

Licor de Hierbas

Licor de Hierbas (herbal liqueur) is a digestif made by infusing spirits with local herbs. The Galician version uses orujo (grape pomace spirit) as a base and includes herbs like chamomile, mint, and lemon verbena.

It's served after meals to aid digestion. Similar to Italian amaro or German Jägermeister, but with its own Spanish character.

Price: €2.50-4.00/shot, €10-20/bottle | Where: Galicia, nationwide | Best for: After dinner

Orujo

Orujo is a Galician spirit distilled from grape pomace (the skins, seeds, and stems left after winemaking). It's similar to Italian grappa and typically around 40% ABV.

The clear version (orujo blanco) is the most common, but you'll also find it infused with herbs (orujo de hierbas) or coffee (licor café).

Price: €2-3/shot | Where: Galicia | Best for: After dinner, cold nights

Queimada

Queimada is Galicia's "fire drink," a theatrical ritual as much as a beverage. Orujo is mixed with sugar, lemon peel, and coffee beans in a clay pot, then set on fire while an incantation is recited to ward off evil spirits.

The Celtic-influenced tradition is performed at festivals and family gatherings, especially around Halloween (Samaín in Galicia). The drink itself is sweet, strong, and warming.

Price: €5-10/serving | Where: Galicia | Best for: Cultural experience

Ratafia

Ratafia is a Catalan liqueur made by macerating green walnuts, herbs, and spices in grape spirit. It's sweet, aromatic, and typically around 25-30% ABV.

Traditionally made in summer when walnuts are still green, ratafia is served as a digestif, often over ice.

Price: €3-5/glass | Where: Catalonia | Best for: After dinner

Gin Tonic

Spain is one of the biggest gin-consuming countries in the world, and the Spanish gin tonic is nothing like a quick G&T at a British pub. It's served in a large copa glass (a balloon glass) filled with ice, carefully poured tonic, and garnished with herbs, citrus, or spices depending on the gin.

Most bars have a dedicated gin tonic menu with 10 to 20 options. The trend exploded in the 2010s and is now a permanent fixture of Spanish bar culture.

Price: €8 to 12 | Where: Nationwide, especially Madrid and Barcelona | Best for: Evening drinks

Licor 43

Licor 43 (Cuarenta y Tres) is a bright yellow Spanish liqueur made from 43 ingredients including citrus, vanilla, and herbs. It originated in Cartagena, Murcia, and is now one of Spain's most exported spirits.

You'll see it served as a shot, mixed into a carajillo (spiked coffee), or in cocktails. The "Asiático" coffee from Cartagena combines Licor 43 with espresso, condensed milk, and cinnamon.

Price: €3 to 5/shot | Where: Nationwide | Best for: After dinner, in cocktails

Coffee in Spain

Café con Leche

Café con leche is the Spanish breakfast staple: espresso with an equal amount of hot milk, usually served in a glass (vaso) rather than a cup.

The glass-without-a-handle takes some getting used to (it's hot), but it's become part of the charm. Pair it with tostada con tomate (toast with tomato) for a proper Spanish breakfast.

Other coffee options:

• Café solo: espresso, no milk
• Cortado: espresso with a dash of milk
• Café americano: espresso with hot water
• Café con hielo: espresso served with a separate glass of ice (pour it over yourself)

Price: €1.50-2.50 | Where: Everywhere | Best for: Breakfast

Carajillo

Carajillo is espresso spiked with brandy or rum, sometimes flambéed. The Catalan version uses Licor 43 (a vanilla liqueur) and is served over ice as a "carajillo con Licor 43."

Legend says the name comes from soldiers needing "coraje" (courage) before battle.

Price: €3-5 | Where: Nationwide | Best for: After dinner

Non-alcoholic Spanish drinks

Horchata de Chufa

Horchata is a refreshing Valencian drink made from tiger nuts (chufas), water, and sugar. The Arabs brought the tiger nut to Valencia when they ruled the Iberian Peninsula, and the drink has been a local tradition ever since.

It's naturally dairy-free, slightly sweet, with a creamy texture and subtle nutty flavour. Traditionally served ice-cold with fartons, long sugar-glazed pastries perfect for dunking.

Horchata from a horchatería in Valencia is nothing like the bottled versions. If you're in the city, look for "horchata artesanal" signs or try Horchatería Santa Catalina. Always ask for fartons on the side.

Price: €2.00-3.50 | Where: Valencia, nationwide | Best for: Hot summer days

Granizado de Limón

Granizado is a slushy made from fresh lemon juice, sugar, and crushed ice. You'll find it at kiosks, beach bars, and cafés across Spain during summer.

Other popular flavours include granizado de café (coffee), granizado de horchata, and granizado de naranja (orange).

Price: €2-3 | Where: Everywhere in summer | Best for: Beach days

Chocolate Caliente

Chocolate caliente (hot chocolate) in Spain is not like the watery version elsewhere. It's thick, rich, and intensely chocolatey, almost like drinking warm chocolate pudding.

The traditional pairing is churros, fried dough sticks that you dip into the chocolate. Breakfast of champions (or the best 3am snack after a night out).

Famous spots include Chocolatería San Ginés in Madrid (open since 1894) and many local churrerías.

Price: €2.50-4 | Where: Everywhere, especially Madrid | Best for: Winter mornings, late nights

Mosto

Mosto is unfermented grape juice, and it's the go-to non-alcoholic option in traditional Spanish bars. Most wine bars and tabernas serve it on tap alongside their wines, so you can join the tapas round without drinking alcohol.

It's sweet, fruity, and surprisingly refreshing when served cold. You'll find it mainly in Andalusia and central Spain.

Price: €1.50 to 2.50 | Where: Andalusia, central Spain | Best for: Non-alcoholic tapas pairing

Leche Merengada

Leche merengada is a traditional Spanish milkshake made from milk, sugar, cinnamon, lemon zest, and whipped egg whites. It's chilled and served semi-frozen with a dusting of cinnamon on top.

Popular in summer, especially at horchaterías in Valencia where it's served alongside horchata.

Price: €2-3.50 | Where: Valencia, Madrid | Best for: Summer treat

Regional drinks

Sidra (Asturian Cider)

Sidra from Asturias and the Basque Country is traditionally poured using a technique called escanciar: the bottle is held high above the head and the cider is splashed into a wide glass held at hip level.

This aerates the cider and releases its flavours. You drink it quickly in one or two gulps, leaving a small amount in the glass (called the "culete") which is thrown away.

In a proper sidrería, the waiter will pour for you. In more casual settings, you might try your hand at escanciar yourself (prepare for wet shoes).

Price: €2.50-4.00/glass, €5-8/bottle | Where: Asturias, Basque Country | Best for: Cultural experience

How to order drinks in Spain

Here are the phrases you'll use most often:

• Una caña, por favor - A small beer, please
• Un tinto de verano - A red wine with lemon soda
• Una clara con limón - A shandy with lemon soda
• Un café con leche - A coffee with milk
• Un cortado - An espresso with a dash of milk
• Una copa de vino tinto/blanco - A glass of red/white wine
• ¿Tiene horchata? - Do you have horchata?
• La cuenta, por favor - The bill, please

What is the national drink of Spain?

Spain doesn't have an official national drink, but sherry (from Andalusia) and cava (from Catalonia) are the most iconic Spanish beverages. For everyday drinks, café con leche in the morning and tinto de verano or a caña in the afternoon are what most Spaniards order.

What do locals actually drink in Spain?

Locals drink tinto de verano (summer wine with soda), cañas (small beers), café con leche (breakfast coffee), and regional specialities like sidra in Asturias, horchata in Valencia, or fino sherry in Andalusia. Sangria is considered a tourist drink.

Is tap water safe to drink in Spain?

Yes, tap water is safe throughout Spain. Some areas (like Barcelona) have heavily chlorinated water that doesn't taste great. In restaurants, you can ask for "agua del grifo" (tap water), though many places will try to sell you bottled water.

What non-alcoholic drinks are popular in Spain?

The best non-alcoholic options are horchata (tiger nut milk from Valencia), granizado de limón (lemon slush), chocolate caliente (thick hot chocolate with churros), leche merengada (cinnamon milk), and mosto (grape juice served on tap in wine bars).

The bottom line on Spanish drinks

Spanish drinks are as regional and diverse as the country itself. From the cider houses of Asturias to the sherry bodegas of Jerez, from Valencian horchaterías to Madrid's churrerías, each region has its own drinking traditions.

Skip the sangria (unless you really want it) and try what locals drink: tinto de verano on a hot terrace, a caña with your tapas, or a café con leche to start your morning. You'll taste more of Spain that way.

For more on Spanish food and drink culture, check out my guide to traditional food in Malaga and how to avoid looking like a tourist.