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What to eat & drink in Asia? Top 100 Asian Beverages

Last update: Wed Feb 19 2025
Top 100 Asian Beverages
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Asian Beverage Types

01
Mango lassi
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Mango lassi is one of the most popular lassi varieties, consisting of yogurt (dahi) and fresh mango. It commonly includes cardamom, water, and sugar. The ingredients are combined until the drink is creamy and frothy. Mango lassi should always be served well-chilled.


Among numerous types of lassis, this sweet mango version is the most common variety on the menus of Indian restaurants outside the country.

THE BEST Mango lassi Dairy Beverages
1
Lancashire Farm
Mango Lassi

5.0

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International Cheese Awards - Gold 2024

02

Tea

KYOTO, Japan
4.5
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Hōjicha is a Japanese roasted green tea. It is made with bancha or sencha green tea that is roasted over high heat. During roasting, the tea attains a distinctive reddish-brown color. Brewed hōjicha will result in a light brown tea with a slightly warmer character than traditional green tea.


Instead of typical green and vegetal aroma, hōjicha usually has roast-like notes reminiscent of coffee, cocoa, and caramel. The flavor is earthy and subtly sweet, with roasted notes that are typically not overpowering. Hōjicha has less caffeine and tannins than other green teas. 
03
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An authentic Thai iced tea is a combination of strong black tea, condensed or evaporated milk, sugar, and spices that is served over crushed ice. Traditionally, the drink is made with loose-leaf black tea such as Assam, Ceylon, or Keemun tea varieties, while the additions usually include crushed tamarind, anise, or cardamom.


However, both street and restaurant versions nowadays often incorporate with pre-packed tea mix that contains food coloring, which gives the tea a distinctive and unnatural orange tint, while the traditional version should have a deep amber hue. The tea is usually chilled before it is combined with ice. 
04
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Indian filter coffee is a preparation technique in which coffee is brewed with the use of an Indian coffee filter. This filter consists of two chambers—the upper one with a perforated bottom used to hold ground coffee and the bottom one in which brewed coffee is slowly dripped.


This brewing technique results in a richly-flavored, full-bodied coffee that is usually mixed with milk and sweetened with sugar. It is traditionally served in a tumbler with an accompanying saucer (davara). Sometimes, the combination of coffee and warm milk is continuously poured from one vessel to another until it is aerated and becomes frothy. 
05
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Chai masala is an aromatic beverage originating from India. It is made with a combination of sweetened black tea and milk that is spiced with a masala mix—which typically includes cardamom, ground ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and black peppercorns.


However, the choice and the exact proportion of spices often vary. Although there are several theories that claim otherwise, the origin of chai masala is mostly associated with the British tea trade. In the 19th century, the Chinese had a monopoly on the tea trade, and the British looked for other markets that would fulfill the high demand for black tea—which was a firm European favorite. 
THE BEST Chai masala Teas
1
Namaste by Delhi Darbar
Grandad’s Masala Chai

5.0

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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars 2023

2 Nepali Masala Chai
Nepal Foods
Nepali Masala Chai

4.7

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Great Taste Awards - 2 stars 2023

3
Pamban Chai & Coffee House
Pamban Rose Chai

4.7

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Great Taste Awards - 2 stars 2021

06
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MAIN INGREDIENTS

Umeshu is a Japanese liqueur made by macerating sugar and ume plums (Prunus mume) in alcohol. It is usually made with rock sugar and ripe or green ume plums, while the base is generally made with shōchū, though other neutral spirits can also be used.


The result is a bittersweet liqueur with a fruity aroma. Apart from the classic version, umeshu comes in a variety of styles that may include other sweeteners such as honey or black sugar, while some add additional flavorings. Umeshu can be enjoyed straight, on the rocks, or diluted with water, tea, or soda. 
THE BEST Umeshu Fruit Liqueurs
1
Akashi-Tai
Shiraume Ginjo Umeshu

4.8

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Bartender Spirits Awards - Gold 2023

07
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Turkish salep is a beverage that is usually consumed during the winter season. The basis of salep is the stem or a tuber of the wild orchid, which is boiled, dried, and ground to produce a starchy powder. It is then mixed with hot milk, and occasionally ginger and cinnamon, to create a soothing drink with an earthy flavor.


Salep is believed to be a medically beneficial beverage, since one of its components, glucomannan, eases the symptoms of bronchitis, colds, and coughs. It was invented out of the need to substitute alcoholic beverages with a comforting and healthy drink. 
08

Tea

YUNNAN, China
4.4
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Pu erh, also known as aged or vintage tea is a renowned tea produced exclusively in the Yunnan province of China. There are two main varieties: raw, non-fermented pu erh, called pu erh sheng, and ripe, fermented pu erh, known as pu erh shu.


The raw version has a very fresh, vegetal flavor with hints of bitterness and a sweet aftertaste, while the ripe one has a mild, yet distinctive and earthy flavor achieved by the fermentation process. For both varieties, the leaves can be left loose or compressed into brick tea (Juan Cha), cake tea (Beeng Cha), bell-shaped tea (Toa Cha), or mushroom-shaped tea (Maw Gu Toaw). 
VARIATIONS OF Pu Erh
09
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Hong Kong milk tea is a beverage with a creamy and smooth texture, made with a combination of water, black tea leaves, and either sweetened condensed milk or evaporated milk and sugar. The drink is called milk tea in order to distinguish it from Chinese tea, which is typically served plain.


It is also known as silk stocking tea or pantyhose tea because the beverage is often prepared in a tea sock resembling pantyhose. Hong Kong milk tea was influenced by the British tradition of afternoon tea, stemming from the time of British colonial rule over Hong Kong.

10
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Ceylon tea is a name given to tea produced in Sri Lanka. Ceylon is the former name for Sri Lanka that is still used in the tea trade. The tea gardens are spread throughout the island, and the favorable climate allows an all-year harvest.


Most production is oriented towards black tea, and the best examples of Ceylon black tea come from higher elevation tea gardens located in the center of the island. Altitude has the most significant effect on the final character of Ceylon teas. Low-grown teas are mostly used in blends and provide a firm body and good strength.


Mid-grown teas—typically cultivated between 2,000 and 3,500 feet—are full-bodied and have a rich and complex flavor. 
THE BEST Ceylon Black Tea Teas
1 Ceylon Black Tea
Alghada
Ceylon Black Tea

5.0

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Crystal Taste Award - 3 stars 2024

11
Tea
ZHEJIANG, China
4.4
12
13
14
Tea
FUJIAN, China
4.3
15
Tea
WUYISHAN, China
4.3
16
Dairy Beverage
PUNJAB, India
4.3
17
Tea
DARJEELING DISTRICT, India
4.3
18
19
20
21
Tea
YUNNAN, China
4.3
22
23
Lemonade
NORTHERN INDIA, India
4.3
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Tea
ASSAM, India
4.2
31
Tea
KYOTO, Japan
4.2
32
33
34
Tea
YUNNAN, China
4.2
35
Wine Variety
ELAZIĞ PROVINCE, Turkiye
4.2
36
37
38
39
Tea
FUJIAN, China
4.1
40
41
42
Tea
ANXI COUNTY, China
4.1
43
Tea
ZHEJIANG, China
4.1
44
Tea
WUYISHAN, China
4.1
45
46
47
48
Wine Variety
CENTRAL ANATOLIA REGION, Turkiye
4.1
49
Spirit
OKINAWA PREFECTURE, Japan
4.0
50
Cocktail
TOKYO, Japan
4.0
51
52
53
54
55
Tea
WUYISHAN, China
4.0
56
57
58
59
60
Wine Variety
DIYARBAKIR PROVINCE, Turkiye
4.0
61
Spirit
PROVINCE OF QUEZON, Philippines
4.0
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
Tea
HANOI, Vietnam
3.9
70
71
Wine Variety
TOKAT PROVINCE, Turkiye
3.9
72
Tea
NANTOU COUNTY, Taiwan
3.9
73
74
75
76
Tea
RIZE PROVINCE, Turkiye
3.9
77
Non-alcoholic Beverage
HEJAZ, Saudi Arabia
3.9
78
79
80
81
82
Non-alcoholic Beverage
WEST JAVA, Indonesia
3.8
83
84
85
86
87
Spirit
SOUTH KOREA
3.7
88
89
Non-alcoholic Beverage
WEST JAVA, Indonesia
3.7
90
Tea
FUJIAN, China
3.7
91
Soft Drink
SAUDI ARABIA
3.7
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Asian Beverage Producers

01

Spirit

USA, Japan
5.0
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Iichiko is a renowned Japanese producer of shochu, a traditional Japanese spirit made from various ingredients like barley, sweet potatoes, and rice. Founded by Sanwa Shurui, Iichiko is famous for its commitment to high-quality production and innovation.


Headquartered in the Oita Prefecture of Kyushu, Japan, an area known for its clean water and natural beauty, Iichiko has become a global leader in the shochu industry. Iichiko's most notable products include its flagship barley-based shochu, iichiko Saiten, which is crafted using unique methods such as the "all Koji" fermentation technique. 
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024, 2023

ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold

2022

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold

2024

02

Spirit

YUANSHAN, Taiwan
5.0
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Kavalan is a renowned Taiwanese whisky brand, celebrated for its single malts produced in Yilan County. Established by King Car Group, Kavalan leverages Taiwan’s subtropical climate to mature its whisky faster, creating rich and complex flavors. The brand has earned global acclaim, winning numerous awards for its innovation and craftsmanship, especially for expressions aged in various casks like sherry, port, and wine.


Kavalan’s unique process and commitment to quality make it a standout in the world of whisky.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024, 2023

ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold

2024

World Whisky - Double Gold

2020

03

Liqueur

KAGOSHIMA, Japan
5.0
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AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024, 2023

ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold

2022, 2021

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold

2024, 2021, 2020

04
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Archome Ent. Int'l Co., Ltd. is based in Taipei City. This company specializes in the production and export of black tea. Their product range includes various types of high-quality black tea. Archome Ent. Int'l Co., Ltd. caters to both local and international markets.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars

2023

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars

2023

BEST Archome Ent. Int'l Teas and Herbal Infusions
05
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Nagahama Distillery is a Japanese distillery located in Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture. It is renowned for being Japan's smallest distillery, offering artisanal whiskies with unique and bold flavors. Nagahama Distillery uses traditional production methods, focusing on small-batch processes to ensure the highest quality and character in its whiskies.


The distillery offers tours where visitors can learn about the whisky-making process, taste their products, and explore the charming surroundings of Nagahama.
AWARDS

ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Gold

2024

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold

2023

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding

2022

06
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AWARDS

ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold

2020, 2019

ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Gold

2024

ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Gold trophy

2020

07

Spirit

CHIAYI COUNTY, Taiwan
5.0
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AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024

USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Chairman's Trophy

2023, 2022, 2020

USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Top 100

2023, 2021, 2020

08
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AWARDS

ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold

2024

ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold

2023, 2022, 2021, 2019

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold

2024

09

Spirit

YANTAI, China
5.0
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Changyu is the oldest Chinese producer of wine and brandy, founded in 1892 in Yantai, Shandong Province, by Zhang Bishi, a patriotic Chinese expatriate. By introducing 124 noble grape varieties from Europe and building the first underground wine cellar in Asia, Changyu laid the foundation for modern winemaking in China.


Koya is a brand of brandy produced by Changyu, utilizing traditional French Charentais copper pot stills for distillation. The distillery owns six of these stills, making it one of the wineries with the highest number of Charentais stills in the world. 
AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold

2023

London Spirits Competition - Gold

2024

10
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AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold

2023

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding

2023

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Baijiu Gold Trophy

2023

11
12
13
14
15
16
Spirit
KAGOSHIMA, Japan
5.0
17
18
Spirit
AKKESHI, Japan
5.0
19
20
Spirit
KAGOSHIMA, Japan
5.0
21
Spirit
TOTTORI, Japan
5.0
22
23
24
Wine
CHAOYANG DISTRICT, China
5.0
25
26
Wine
CENTRAL DISTRICT, Israel
5.0
27
Spirit
KANAZAWA, Japan
5.0
28
29
Spirit
SINGAPORE, Southeast Asia
5.0
30
Spirit
JAPAN, Japan
5.0
31
32
33
34
Liqueur
OSAKA, Japan
5.0
35
36
Spirit
BANGALORE, India
5.0
37
Spirit
NARA PREFECTURE, Japan
5.0
38
39
40
41
42
Tea / Infusion
HONG KONG, China
5.0
43
Liqueur
TAIPEI CITY, Taiwan
5.0
44
45
46
47
48
49
Wine
YINCHUAN, China
5.0
50
Tea / Infusion
NEW TAIPEI, Taiwan
5.0
51
52
53
54
55
Spirit
MIYAZAKI, Japan
5.0
56
Spirit
BANGKOK, Thailand
5.0
57
58
59
Spirit
SOUTH KOREA, East Asia
5.0
60
61
62
63
Spirit
CHENGDU, China
5.0
64
65
66
67
68
Spirit
TAIPEI CITY, Taiwan
5.0
69
70
Spirit
SINGAPORE, Southeast Asia
5.0
71
Spirit
TAICHUNG, Taiwan
5.0
72
Spirit
JAPAN, Japan
5.0
73
Spirit
KANAZAWA, Japan
5.0
74
75
Spirit
KAGOSHIMA, Japan
5.0
76
Spirit
KUMAMOTO, Japan
5.0
77
Spirit
NEW DELHI, India
5.0
78
Spirit
NIIGATA, Japan
5.0
79
80
81
82
Spirit
SOUTH KOREA, East Asia
5.0
83
84
Spirit
JAPAN, Japan
5.0
85
Spirit
SOUTH KOREA, East Asia
5.0
86
Spirit
KINMEN COUNTY, Taiwan
5.0
87
Spirit
KAGOSHIMA, Japan
5.0
88
Spirit
KUMAMOTO, Japan
5.0
89
Spirit
KUMAMOTO, Japan
5.0
90
Spirit
VIETNAM, Southeast Asia
5.0
91
Spirit
GUANGZHOU, China
5.0
92
Spirit
HUBEI, China
5.0
93
Spirit
KAGOSHIMA, Japan
5.0
94
Spirit
SOUTH KOREA, East Asia
5.0
95
Spirit
KUMAMOTO, Japan
5.0
96
Spirit
NANTOU COUNTY, Taiwan
5.0
97
Spirit
KANCHANABURI, Thailand
5.0
98
Spirit
KAGOSHIMA, Japan
5.0
99
100
Spirit
HONG KONG, China
5.0
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Asian Beverages

01
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Iichiko Frasco Shochu is a premium barley-based Japanese spirit with a clear, delicate aroma and rich, deep flavor. It is crafted using a highly refined fermentation process at low temperatures and is produced using pure barley koji. This shochu, with an alcohol content of 30%, is considered one of the top-tier products from Iichiko, reflecting their commitment to quality and craftsmanship.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2023

USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Chairman's Trophy

2023, 2022, 2020

USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Top 100

2023, 2022, 2020

02

Spirit

SINGAPORE, Southeast Asia
5.0
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AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024, 2023

SWSC - Singapore World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2023

The Gin Masters - Gold

2022

03
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Vinho is fully matured in used American oak wine barrels that have been toasted and recharred in a way that brings out fruity vanilla notes from the wood into the whisky overlaid on a delicate background of complex fruitiness. It has a complex and multi-dimensional background of pepper, spice, dates and other fruits, such as ripe melon and mango together with kiwi and a delicate blend of bursting citrus fruits.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2023

World Whisky - Double Gold

2020

ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Gold

2024

04
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Iichiko Saiten is a premium barley shochu with an ABV of 43%. It's known for its smooth, clean flavor profile, which is the result of a meticulous single-distillation process. The spirit is crafted using barley koji, allowing it to retain a rich depth of flavor while maintaining a crisp, refreshing finish.


This high-quality product is popular both in Japan and internationally, especially in cocktail culture.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024, 2023

ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold

2022

05
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Smaller Green Leafhopper Honey Flavour Black Tea (Flower) is a specialty product made by Junjie Lin Tea Garden. This tea is crafted from leaves affected by the green leafhopper, an insect that enhances the natural sweetness and imparts a honey-like flavor to the tea.


The tea is processed as a black tea and includes floral notes, creating a complex and aromatic profile that is prized among tea enthusiasts. The unique interaction between the leafhoppers and the tea plants is a significant factor in developing this tea's distinctive taste.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars

2024, 2023

06
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AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding

2023

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Gin Gold Trophy

2023

07
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AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding

2024

ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Gold

2024

08
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AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding

2023

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Baijiu Gold Trophy

2023

09
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AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding

2024

ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Gold

2024

10
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AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding

2021

11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Spirit
NARA PREFECTURE, Japan
5.0
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
Spirit
KAGOSHIMA, Japan
5.0
85
86
Spirit
KUMAMOTO, Japan
5.0
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100

TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 100 Asian Beverages” list until February 19, 2025, 9,441 ratings were recorded, of which 5,597 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.

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