Serious matters only\u2014you want to be sure you know how to order drinks in Spanish!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Red](\"https:\/\/wordpress-assets-devourtours.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/pouring-red-wine-la-casa-del-abuelo-1.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEating and drinking are at the heart of the Spanish cultural experience (some might even call it a national pastime). Get familiar with ordering drinks in Spanish as well as typical drinks in Spain by following these tips and tricks. Soon you’ll be navigating the Madrid bar scene like a pro!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Ordering Drinks in Spanish: The Basics<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
If the thought of having to order a drink in Spanish has you sweating bullets, take a deep breath and relax. Once you learn a few key terms and phrases, it’s much easier than you might think.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n To start, the bartender makes eye contact with you or your server approaches your table. Here\u2019s how the exchange will most likely begin:<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In Spain, there\u2019s no need for formalities. While it may be basic instinct to order with a polite I’ll have a…<\/em>, you can directly use a Spanish command instead. Ask and you shall receive. <\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n For example: Ponme una ca\u00f1a<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Get me a small draft beer (more on ordering beer in a bit!).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If you\u2019re unable to remember any of these phrases for ordering drinks in Spanish, simply asking for the beverage by name will suffice. Following up with <\/span>por favor <\/span><\/i>is always appreciated. <\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n For example: Una ca\u00f1a<\/em>, por favor<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 A small draft beer, please.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The majority of Spanish bars have just one or two beers on tap. The exact brand varies by location, and in Madrid, Mahou is king. <\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The variation (and challenge) comes in ordering your desired size or mixer.<\/span> As tempting as it may be to embrace simplicity and ask for a cerveza<\/em>, it’s a bit more involved than that.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Most Spaniards will opt for a ca\u00f1a<\/em> when ordering beer. Its small size allows for it to stay perfectly chilled in the amount of time it’ll likely take you to finish one tapa.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n What would a guide to ordering drinks in Spanish be without wine?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Spanish wine<\/a> has become world famous in recent years, and for good reason. From sparkling cavas to full-bodied Riojas and the full spectrum of sherry, the world of Spanish vino<\/em> is as endless as it is fascinating.<\/span> Most Madrid eateries boast a decent selection of wine, and there are plenty of excellent wine bars<\/a> worth exploring if you’re a bona-fide enophile.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In Spain, the vast majority of wine is ordered by the region\u2014not by the grape. There are a handful of exceptions, the most notable being albari\u00f1o (a white wine from Galicia). You’ll also need to specify how much wine you want.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n For example: Quiero una copa de Rioja<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 I want a glass of Rioja.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Here are a few more words and phrases that may come in handy when ordering wine in Spain. Be sure to check out our full guide to Spanish wine terms<\/a> for even more!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Insider\u2019s Tip: <\/b>Spaniards rarely drink sangria<\/a>. If you really want to look like you know how to order drinks in Spanish, ask for a tinto (de verano) con lim\u00f3n<\/strong><\/em>. One of the most typical drinks in Spain, tinto de verano<\/em> is red wine mixed with lemon soda\u2014a refreshing (and much more authentic) alternative to sangria.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Looking for something beyond your typical reds and whites? Spanish fortified wines are excellent options, particularly for an aperitif.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n One drink that has gained lots of popularity in recent years is refreshingly bittersweet Spanish vermouth. It comes in one of two styles:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n And then there’s sherry. Hailing from the sunny southwestern corner of Spain, sherry (vino de Jerez<\/em> in Spanish) comes in a whole spectrum of colors and flavors. These drinks are typically ordered by their style.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n For example: Un amontillado, por favor<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Amontillado sherry, please.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n We love beer and wine, but sometimes you need something stronger.\u00a0Whether you\u2019re winding down from a long day or in the middle of a night out<\/a>, a <\/span>copa <\/span><\/i>(mixed drink)\u00a0is just the ticket. <\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n While the majority of Madrid\u2019s alcoholic beverages are undersized, <\/span>copas <\/span><\/i>are not. Consider yourself warned: ask for a <\/span>copa, <\/span><\/i>and you\u2019ll be getting a mixed drink in a goblet the size of your head. <\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n One thing that’s unique about ordering mixed drinks in Spain is that you’ll need to specify what brand of alcohol you want. For example, instead of ordering a rum and coke\u00a0you’d order a “Barcel\u00f3\u00a0con Coca Cola<\/em>.”\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The superstar of the Madrid cocktail scene has long been the classic gin and tonic (<\/span>gin tonic, <\/span><\/i>for when you\u2019re ordering drinks in Spanish). However, bars boasting specialty cocktails can be found throughout the city. One of our favorites is 1862 Dry Bar, which is located in the happening Malasa\u00f1a neighborhood. <\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n And of course, if you need some water to balance out all that alcohol, don’t be afraid to ask for un vaso de agua<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If we are talking about drinking local in Spain then a word has to be said about cider.<\/p>\r\n There is a long history of cider drinking in the country and understandably the majority of the cider culture comes from the luscious green landscapes found in the north of Spain, in provinces like Asturias and the Basque Country.<\/p>\r\n When you say cider to most Spaniards they will think of hard cider, which has just enough fizz and bite to intrigue your tastebuds. In the north part of its novelty is that to achieve this, cider is poured at a height with your glass angled enough for the stream to hit the side of your glass (and hopefully not end up on the floor!)<\/p>\r\n Although bartenders pouring cider isn’t commonplace in the capital, Madrid being the melting pot it is has many a bar where you can get a taste while you are in town. Some of our favorites are the famous Casa Mingo<\/a>, El Escarpin and La Chalana<\/a> near to the Bernabeu where the bar menu will get you at least 6 culines<\/em> (you usually fill a cider glass to about an inch called a culin<\/em>) and a plate of shrimp for under 10\u20ac.<\/p>\r\n Last but not least in our guide to ordering drinks in Spanish, let’s talk some non-alcoholic options.<\/p>\r\n The undisputed king of drinks like this in Spain is non-alcoholic beer. As beer is such a stalwart of the drinking scene here it is commonplace to find cerveza sin alcohol<\/em> on tap right next to the one or two draft options available.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n To order fruit juice, you can simply ask for zumo de<\/em>… followed by the name of the fruit in Spanish. A common example is zumo de naranja<\/em> (orange juice). If you want to sound even more like a local, order un<\/em> mosto <\/em>a sweet grape juice that can become surprisingly addictive.<\/p>\r\n Soft drinks are almost always ordered by their brand name. Ask for una Coca Cola<\/em>, un 7Up<\/em>, or any other soda you prefer. This is also true for iced tea, which Spaniards will usually order by asking for un Nestea<\/em>. Another local still option is Aquarius which is in the vein of a Gatorade which only comes in a lemon or orange variety.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n It is common to hear visitors complaining about the lack of water provided at restaurants, so be prepared. Given the many distractions of the liquid variety to be found in this country, there isn’t an expectation that you will want it. Plus, when you do order water you can easily find yourself with a 1.5-liter glass bottle which is no use if you plan to explore the city later, so here is the lowdown.<\/p>\r\n For tap water ask for agua de grifo<\/em> or\u00a0una jarra de agua <\/em>for a pitcher, and if you are happy with a bottle just ask for agua<\/em>. Sparkling water is common also, with Spain having pedigree in the area, (Vichy Catalan<\/a> is regularly included among the best sparkling waters in the world). So if you fancy some bubbles go for some agua con gas<\/em>.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\r\n Last but not least, coffee drinks in Spain are categorized based on how much milk they have. The most popular option is a caf\u00e9 con leche<\/em>, which is half coffee and half milk. If that doesn’t sound like your cup of joe, check out our full guide to ordering coffee in Spain<\/a> for more options!<\/p>\r\n Most teas and infusions have direct translations, and most of the time they’re quite literal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n
![\"Bartender](\"https:\/\/wordpress-assets-devourtours.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/pouring-vermouth-1.jpeg\")
\r\nHow to Order a Beer in Spanish<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/wordpress-assets-devourtours.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/canCC83as-beer.jpeg\")
\r\nHow to Order Wine in Spanish<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n
![\"Close](\"https:\/\/wordpress-assets-devourtours.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rioja-wine-glass-and-bottle-1.jpeg\")
\r\n\r\n
![\"Person's](\"https:\/\/wordpress-assets-devourtours.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/tinto-de-verano-1-1.jpeg\")
\r\nSpanish Fortified Wines<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n
![\"Close](\"https:\/\/wordpress-assets-devourtours.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/vermouth-on-tap-de-grifo-1.jpeg\")
\r\n\r\n
![\"Woman's](\"https:\/\/wordpress-assets-devourtours.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/manzanilla-sherry-wine-1.jpeg\")
\r\nHow to Order Cocktails & Mixed Drinks in Spanish<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Gin](\"https:\/\/wordpress-assets-devourtours.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/gin-and-tonic-U-1.jpeg\")
\r\nCider House Rules<\/h2>\r\n
![\"Devour](\"https:\/\/wordpress-assets-devourtours.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Walks_Devour-San-Sebastian-Ultimate-Pintxos-pouring-cider.jpg\")
Ordering Non-Alcoholic Drinks in Spanish<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Several](\"https:\/\/wordpress-assets-devourtours.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/clear-glass-water-bottles-FCC-1.jpeg\")
![\"Close](\"https:\/\/wordpress-assets-devourtours.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/pouring-milk-into-coffee-U-1.jpeg\")
\r\n