So you’re in a Spanish-speaking country and you’re parched. You walk into a bar or café and you’re greeted with a wall of unfamiliar words. What’s your move? Today, we’re diving into everything you need to know about ordering drinks in Spanish.

Different types of drinks in Spanish

Imagine you're sitting in a Spanish bar and instead of pointing at menus like a tourist, you order your drink like a local. Knowing your beverages in Spanish is more than handy; it can be the key to meaningful interactions. So, let’s start with the basics. Here are the different types of drinks you might want to order at a Spanish restaurant:

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Cold non-alcoholic drinks in Spanish

Ah, the sun is blazing in Spain, or maybe you're vacationing in a picturesque town in Latin America. What you need is a cold drink to quench your thirst! Beyond the ubiquitous "refresco" (soft drink) and "agua" (water), you can also try "zumo" (fruit juice) or "batido" (milkshake). (Note: The term "zumo" is primarily used in Spain, while "jugo" is commonly used in Latin America.)

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Did you know that coconut water is referred to as "agua de coco" in many Spanish-speaking countries? And if you're a fitness enthusiast, "bebida energética" or energy drink might be more up your alley. If you’re conscious about your sugar intake, look out for "refresco sin azúcar" which means sugar-free soft drinks.

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Tea and coffee in Spanish

Tea and coffee in Spanish-speaking countries have their unique flairs. For instance, in Spain you can have "café cortado," which is espresso with just a splash of milk. Or perhaps a "té verde con menta" (green tea with mint) if you're in the mood for something lighter.

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In Latin America, you may stumble upon "café de olla," a traditional Mexican coffee prepared with cinnamon and piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar).

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Alcoholic drinks in Spanish

Alcoholic drinks in Spanish cover a broad spectrum whether you're in Spain, Latin America, or any other Spanish-speaking country. For wine lovers, "vino" in Spain comes in various styles like "vino tinto" (red wine), "vino blanco" (white wine), or "vino rosado" (rosé wine).

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For something stronger, there's "ron" (rum), popular in the Caribbean, or "tequila" in Mexico. If you're into beer, asking for a "cerveza" will get you a cold one almost anywhere. In Spain, you might enjoy it as "caña," a small draft beer. (Note: Caña" is often a draft beer, but it can also refer to a small quantity of any drink.)

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And let's not forget the cocktails! A "mojito" or "Cuba libre" (rum and coke) is commonly ordered across various Spanish-speaking countries.

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Popular drinks in Spanish-speaking countries

Each Spanish-speaking country proudly boasts its traditional drinks. "Sangria" is often the go-to in Spain, especially during the hot summer months. In Peru and Chile, the tangy "pisco sour" is a national favorite, and in Colombia you might want to try "aguardiente," an anise-flavored liqueur.

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Phew — that was a lot of drinks! Here’s all of them at a glance:

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Ordering drinks in Spanish: The how-to

Don't those drinks sound yummy? Now that your taste buds are tingling with anticipation, let's get you equipped to order them effortlessly in any Spanish-speaking country. Here are some common phrases you'll need to make the most of every pour, splash, and sip.

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Essential Spanish phrases for ordering drinks

To order water:

"¿Me pone un vaso de agua, por favor?"

(Can I have a glass of water, please?)

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For wine enthusiasts:

"¿Qué tipo de vino tienes?"

(What type of wine do you have?)

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"¿Tiene vino tinto/vino blanco?"

(Do you have red/white wine?)

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Beer lovers:

"¿Me recomienda una cerveza local?"

(Can you recommend a local beer?)

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"Una cerveza más, por favor."

(One more beer, please.)

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Non-alcoholic options:

"Un refresco sin azúcar, por favor."

(A sugar-free soft drink, please.)

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"¿Tiene zumos naturales?"

(Do you have natural juices?)

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For the social butterfly:

"Una ronda de bebidas para todos, por favor."

(A round of drinks for everyone, please.)

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To try something new:

"¿Cuál es la bebida típica aquí?"

(What is the typical drink here?)

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For coffee aficionados:

"Un café cortado, por favor."

(An espresso with a little milk, please.)

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For tea lovers:

"¿Tiene té verde?"

(Do you have green tea?)

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Use these phrases as a starting point and you'll find that ordering drinks in Spanish becomes a natural part of your travel experience.

Mastering drinks in Spanish with iTranslate

Ready to take your drink-ordering skills to the next level? Download iTranslate for free and never feel lost at a Spanish bar again. Cheers, or should we say, "¡Salud!"

For further reading, feel free to explore 10 things you might not know about Puerto Rico and 8 food trends around the world.