Filipino Alcoholic Drinks to Try: From Local Classics to Modern Cocktails

In the Philippines, whenever there is a celebration, there’s alcohol. What’s interesting are the various Filipino alcoholic drinks that you may find. Many of these are unique to the country. With a wide variety of drinks that you won’t find anywhere else in the world, you should try at least one of these drinks on the list. Over the past few years, Filipino cuisine has been experiencing the popularity it never quite had before, and now restaurant owners, chefs, and bartenders are raising the bar even higher with their innovative drink offerings that often reflect their culinary heritage.

Classic Filipino Cocktails and Spirits

Here are some of the most notable Filipino alcoholic drinks that you need to try:

• GinPom: A true Filipino classic cocktail, GinPom is the go-to drink of many Filipinos from all walks of life. All you need to make GinPom are pomelo juice powder, water, ice, and your favorite gin.
• Halo-Halo Cocktail: Halo-halo is a famous Filipino dessert which means “mix-mix”. The alcohol used in the halo-halo cocktail could vary; you can add gin, vodka, or LUACO. It’s a fun way to enjoy one of the Philippine’s most popular desserts with a slight kick.
• Manila Twilight: This drink is made out of pineapple juice, mango juice, orange juice, and rum. The invigorating flavor will have you wanting more. To add a bit of presentation, you can garnish it with lemongrass or a slice of pineapple.
• LUACO: A perfect drink to enjoy as a dessert or simply on its own, LUACO is a Philippine-made coffee liquor of the highest quality. There’s no other coffee liquor in the Philippines that can top LUACO, as its smooth and creamy features make it enjoyable for any celebration.
• Manille Liqueur de Calamansi: The Philippines is known to have its own version of the Italian Limoncello; Manille Liqueur de Calamansi is a vodka-based liqueur infused with calamansi. This drink is perfect as a palate cleanser or as a digestif.

Regional Wines and Brews

Different regions in the Philippines offer unique specialty liquors. Strawberry Wine is a popular and high-quality liquor made in the city of Baguio, as strawberries are known to thrive in that cool climate. Another unusual fruit to make wine is the dragon fruit; Ilocos is known to produce Dragon Fruit Wine, which is popular for its sweet, fruity, and refreshing taste. If beer is your cup of tea, Palawan Wit is a floral and sweet beer that is known for its hint of citrusy taste, spiciness, and refreshing flavor. Palaweño Brewery is responsible for this amazing craft, utilizing the clean and pure water found in Palawan.

Raising the Bar: Filipino-Influenced Mixology

Modern bar programs highlight Filipino influences in food and culture, and one of them is tiki. There is indeed a Filipino-tiki connection. While tiki drinks typically made with rum and tropical ingredients originated in the 1930s, owner Ernest Gantt depended on his indefatigable crew of Filipino bartenders known as the “Four Boys” to skillfully execute his kitschy rum-based cocktail recipes. Today, these cocktails deliver not just historical perspectives and Filipino ingredients but also the fun, quirky side of Filipino culture.

Signature Innovative Cocktails

The following drinks represent the creative fusion of traditional Filipino flavors and modern spirits:

• Ayala Avenue: Features St. Germain gin, lime juice, and muddled mint and ampalaya or bittermelon, a gourd indigenous to the Philippines.
• Sabang Beach Cooler: Mixes native calamansi, or Filipino lime, with mezcal and chipotle salt.
• Pinay Colada 29: Uses the Philippines’ premiere rum brand, Tanduay Gold Rum, with pineapple, banana, and coconut cream.
• Juice Mary Joseph: A mix of vodka, falernum, honey, lemon, mango, and coconut cream; the name is a play on a popular Filipino expression of surprise.
• Galleon Trade: A mix of ingredients including Ming River Banjui, bourbon, dry sherry, and curry powder.

Comparison of Selected Filipino Drinks