Hilton Club Traveler - Spring 2019 - 16

SALUD!
I

t's more than just margaritas: Mexico has
a rich heritage of delicious and surprising
beverages, both alcoholic and nonalcoholic.
Some descend from the country's indigenous
cultures while others are more modern, but all
are delicious-or at least worth a try. Next time
you're in Mexico, challenge yourself to give
some of these traditional drinks a taste.

MICHELADA

One of the stranger
Mexican innovations is
the cerveza preparada, or
beer cocktail. Made from
light beer (like Modelo or
Pacífico) and mixed with
salt, hot sauce, lime juice,
tomato concentrate or
Clamato (tomato and
clam broth!), the michelada
is the classic-but not the
only-mixed-beer drink
from Mexico. If you're
not a fan of tomato, try
the chelada: lime and beer
served with ice and a
salted rim. Either one
makes a refreshing
afternoon treat or a
good pick-me-up after a
long night.

HORCHATA
This popular nonalcoholic cocktail has many
variations, but it's usually made with ground
rice, almonds and chufas, or tiger nuts.
Horchata is creamy, sweet and delicious: It
is the perfect beverage for cooling down on
the beach or fueling up after an outdoor
adventure. It's also healthy: Tiger nuts come
from a plant called yellow nutsedge, which is
high in iron, potassium, and vitamins C and E.

MEZCAL
Mezcal was sacred to Mexico's indigenous
peoples and is actually one of the oldest
liquors in the world. The name technically
refers to any liquor made with the agave
plant, which has more than 30 varieties-
including blue agave, which is used to make
tequila. It's traditional to cook the plant in
earthen pits before distilling it in clay pots,
giving mezcal its famously smoky flavor.

CAFÉ DE OLLA
WHERE TO STAY
Members can vacation across Mexico
thanks to Club affiliate Fiesta Americana. Opt
for an all-inclusive experience at resorts including
Grand Fiesta Americana Los Cabos Hotel,
Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun and
Grand Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta.

Literally meaning "coffee from the pot,"
café de olla is one of Mexico's most
famous hot beverages. It consists of black
coffee made with cinnamon and piloncillo,
or unrefined cane sugar. Like mezcal, it's
typically prepared in a clay pot, which
gives the coffee a unique, earthy flavor.
But be careful-it's strong!

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: FCA FOTO DIGITAL/GETTY IMAGES; KARANDAEV/GETTY IMAGES; MOFLES/GETTY IMAGES; BHOFACK2/GETTY IMAGES

GO: FOOD AND DRINK

Hilton Club Traveler - Spring 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Hilton Club Traveler - Spring 2019