10 of the Most Popular Drinks in Asia

By Ali O'Neill

• Soju, Korea

  By Ali O'Neill

  The top-selling alcoholic beverage in the world, soju means "burned liquor" and was first distilled in the 13th century.

• Kopi Luwak, Indonesia

  By Ali O'Neill

  The most expensive coffee in the world, it's produced from coffee beans that have been eaten and defecated by civets. While the name technically refers to the process, it's used for the drink too. 

• Maotai, China

  By Ali O'Neill

  Also known as Moutai, this liquor–distilled from fermented sorghum–is produced in the town of Maotai, Guizhou.

• Mekhong Whiskey, Thailand

  By Ali O'Neill

  Although it's known as a whiskey, Mekhong–which is 95% sugar cane and 5% rice–is actually more of a rum.

• Palm Wine, the Philippines

  By Ali O'Neill

  Made from the sap of palm trees and popular in many Asian countries, palm wine is known as tubâ in the Philippines.

• Sake, Japan

  By Ali O'Neill

  Made from fermented rice, sake is Japan's most popular alcoholic beverage. While it's often called "rice wine," the brewing process is more similar to that of beer.

• Chai Tea, India

  By Ali O'Neill

  The nation's number one beverage, masala chai is traditionally made with buffalo milk and sweetened with sugar, honey, or jaggery.

• Bubble Tea, Taiwan

  By Ali O'Neill

  Invented in Taichung, Taiwan in the 1980s, this tea-based drink with chewy tapioca balls comes in many flavours.

• Bandung, Malaysia

  By Ali O'Neill

  Bandung consists of condensed milk flavoured with rose cordial syrup (which gives it its distinct pink colour).

• Kumis, Mongolia

  By Ali O'Neill

  Also known as airag, this popular Mongolian drink is made from fermented mare's milk.