Best Western European Dairy Beverage Types
Although hot chocolate is an internationally-known beverage, this Spanish version stands out for its creamy and thick consistency. It is usually made with dark chocolate or cocoa powder, milk, sugar, and cornstarch—which is used to achieve the typical dense texture of the drink.
Optionally, cinnamon and grated nutmeg can be used as flavorings. This type of hot chocolate is mainly served as an accompaniment to desserts, while the most traditional combination includes a cup of hot chocolate and freshly fried Spanish churros.
Hot chocolate became a drink of choice of the Spanish aristocracy sometime in the 17th century, and when chocolate and cocoa became more available, it became a staple throughout the country.
Leche merengada is a sweet, chilled Spanish drink that combines milk and whipped egg whites. The milk is heated and often flavored with lemon zest and cinnamon before it is chilled and combined with whipped egg whites. Merengada is then semi-frozen, and the final result is a refreshing combination that has a texture similar to a milkshake or a slushie, while some versions sometimes resemble ice creams.
This vintage dessert is often prepared at home, but it is also commonly found in ice cream parlors. It is usually served in tall glasses, while the top is traditionally sprinkled with ground cinnamon.
This classic Bordeaux drink combines fresh milk from Lot-et-Garonne, cocoa, and sugar. It was first created in 1952, and it is still produced following the original secret recipe. The drink was first sold from the back of the vans that were driving across the country and was originally exclusively sold in glass bottles.
In the following years, it became widely available in grocery stores and the company soon introduced can and carton packaging. Apart from the classic flavor, Cacolac also comes in hazelnut-praline and caramel variety. Nowadays, it is widely available throughout the country.
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