Mexican Soft Drinks We Can’t Live Without
Although soda isn’t the healthiest drink, it can be a fantastic way to curb your sweet tooth. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular Mexican soft drinks that we can’t live without. Even if every soda mentioned isn’t available in your local grocery store, it likely will be available in a Latin market.
What Counts as a Soft Drink?
Before we dive into all the different types of Mexican soft drinks that are available, let’s take a quick look at what makes a beverage a soft drink. Soft drinks usually contain water which is often carbonated, a sweetener, and a natural or artificial flavor. Soft drinks are called “soft” because they are non-alcoholic, which makes them the opposite of “hard” drinks or cocktails.
Much like Americans, people in Mexico love sugary soft drinks. It is worth trying Mexican soft drinks simply because they come in flavors that we don’t often see in the United States, such as tamarind, hibiscus, and sangría. Although the rising cost of sugar in Mexico is slowly changing how soft drinks are made, Mexican sodas tend to be sweetened with real sugar rather than American sodas, which are sweetened with high fructose corn syrup.
Even though it can be hard to track down Mexican soft drinks in America, you can usually find them at a taco truck or Latin market.
Coca-Cola
Even if you’ve had American Coca-Cola, you can expect a totally distinct flavor from Mexican Coke. The primary difference between the two is that Mexican Coke is sweetened with sugar cane, whereas American Coke is sweetened with high fructose corn syrup. For this reason, Mexican Coke is usually more expensive.
If you really want to put your love of Coke to the test, you should try a side-by-side comparison of the two different flavors.
Jarritos
Arguably the most popular Mexican soda in the United States is Jarritos. This quintessential soda was created by Don Francisco Hill in the 1950s. Jarritos is known for its shocking colors and wide variety of flavors—you can find guava, mango, and hibiscus-flavored Jarritos.
If you like incredibly sweet beverages, then Jarritos is the beverage for you. If you prefer a more tart soda, try out the Tamarind flavor.
Mundet
Founded in 1902, Mundet soda is a staple on the shelves of Mexican grocery stores. This apple-flavored soda comes in two flavors: Sidral (the “red apple” variety) and Manzana Verde (the “green apple” variety). Although it is known for being apple-flavored, Mundet does not contain much apple juice. Each bottle of Mundetr contains less than 1% of real apple juice.
Even though Mundet does not contain much real apple juice, the notes of apple flavor are very strong. For this reason, Mundet pairs exceptionally well with salty snacks such as tacos. You can also use Mundet in cocktails like highballs.
Lift
Another popular drink in Mexico and other parts of the world is Lift. Lift comes in a wide variety of flavors, from lemon to grapefruit to apple. The most popular flavor in Mexico is Manzana Lift, also known as Apple Lift. This flavor is sweetened with high fructose corn syrup.
Although Lift does not taste as natural as some other sodas, it does provide a bright, full-bodied texture. Lift is also known for being an extremely affordable soda, making it a great choice for getting the most bang for your buck.
Sol
Much like several American sodas, Sol is flavored with high fructose corn syrup. Arguably the best apple-flavored soda available is Manzanita Sol. It strikes a perfect balance between sweet and tart, which gives it the flavor of apple cider and the texture of soda.
Although it is not as easy to find Sol in the United States as it is other Mexican sodas, it is becoming more popular. You can search Mexican fast-food restaurants such as Taco Bell for Sol sodas as well as Latin markets.
Topo Sabores
Topo Sabores is another popular brand of soda in Mexico. Owned by the Topo Chico mineral water company, the Topo Sabores line of sodas comes in a wide variety of flavors. Some of these flavors include strawberry, orange, and pineapple.
Topo Sabores is definitely a sweet beverage comparable to Sunkist or Crush in the United States. The most iconic flavor of Topo Sabores is the orange soda which is recognizably orange-flavored but does not contain too much sugar.
Sangría Señorial
One of the most controversial sodas in Mexico is Sangría Señorial. People either love the acquired taste of this soda or can’t stand it. Given that Sangría Señorial is made from wine grapes, it tastes like a sweet wine cooler made from a variety of fruit. Although you might think it tastes exactly like sangría given the name, Sangría Señorial is far sweeter than the wine-based beverage.
Given that it is made from wine grapes, you might be tricked into thinking it contains alcohol. Although the flavor is deceiving, Sangría Señorial contains no alcohol in reality. Don Manuel Gómez Cosío came up with this beverage in 1964. Ever since then, it has gained wide popularity as a soda favorite in Mexico. To get the most flavor out of this beverage, you can serve it ice cold with a squeeze of lemon or lime to give its distinctive flavor a citrus twist.
Tepache
Another traditional Mexican drink similar in texture to soda is tepache. Tepache is a fermented beverage made from pineapple rinds and cores. Compared to kombucha, tepache has a milder flavor and is sweeter than the average kombucha, making it more desirable for children.
Additionally, tepache can be flavored with a wide variety of spices and fruits, including orange turmeric, mango chili, tamarind citrus, and pineapple spice. In case you’re still looking for a reason to try tepache, you can easily make it at home.
Tepache has been brewed at home in Mexico since pre-Columbian times. Given that it did not undergo the same standardization as other Mexican delicacies, thousands of different tepache recipes still exist in Mexico.
What Do I Pair Mexican Soda With?
Now that you know so much about different types of soda, you might be wondering, what do these different Mexican soft drinks pair well with? There are several different types of Mexican snacks and street foods available that are the perfect accompaniment to Mexican soft drinks.
Antojitos are Mexico’s famous street snacks. They include everything from tacos to chilaquiles to tostadas. Oftentimes the best accompaniment to a sweet soft drink is a salty snack like a carne asada taco or a hot cup of elote. Regardless of the type of street food you pick up on the streets of Mexico City, it will most likely pair well with a sweet, crisp soft drink.
Conclusion
Although several soft drinks are available in the United States, there is no reason to limit yourself to the regional drinks available. Several Mexican soft drinks that are worth trying include Mexican Coke, Jarritos, and Tepache. Regardless of the type of soft drink you decide to try, make sure you pair it with a flavor that you love!
Sources:
Avoid the Hidden Dangers of High Fructose Corn Syrup | Cleveland Clinic
