A is for Apple, but it is also for absinthe, which, if you drink too much, will have you saying ADIOS and reaching for the aqua. Follow it up the next day with some always-alluring apple juice and an Americano for the perfect hangover cure. Let’s look at 25 drinks that start with the letter A to kick off your next alphabet party in style.
Drinks That Start With A – Alphabetized
| Alcoholic Beverages | Non-Alcoholic Beverages |
| Absinthe | Acerola Juice |
| Aguardiente | Agua Fresca |
| Alcopop | Almond Milk |
| Ale | Aloe Vera Juice |
| Altbier | Americano |
| Amaretto | Ambrosia |
| Amontillado | Apple Juice |
| Aperol Spritz | Apricot Juice |
| Aperitif | Arnold Palmer |
| Apple Cider | Ayran |
| Apple Martini | |
| Aquavit | |
| Arak | |
| Armagnac | |
| Aviation |
Drinks That Start With A – List
Alcoholic Beverages
Absinthe
Absinthe is an anise-flavored spirit crafted from various plants like Artemisia absinthium, green anise, and fennel. Typically 45–74% ABV, it’s not the powerful drug folklore suggests. While consumption can be intoxicating, absinthe won’t cause hallucinations (thankfully). In taste, this spirit resembles black licorice due to anise and fennel notes. Incorporating flowers, leaves, and herbs, absinthe stands as a unique, aromatic libation that captivates the senses and can really kick up your cocktails.
Aguardiente
Aguardiente, a distilled spirit derived from fermenting cereals, grapes, and more without added flavors or alcohol, typically contains 35% to 37.5% alcohol. Like raki in Turkey, ouzo in Greece, pastis in France, and sambuca from Italy, it’s also called “guaro” in some parts of Southern America, with around 29% alcohol. Often enjoyed by Colombians and tourists, it’s consumed lukewarm in shots alongside beer for a very lively experience!
Alcopop
Advocates for prevention refer to “alcopops” as sweetened alcoholic drinks typically sold in individual bottles or cans. These beverages, often fruit-flavored and effervescent, bear a resemblance to soft drinks. Initially, alcopops had around 5% alcohol content, but some have increased over time. The term “alcopops” presents these drinks in a less intimidating light, and their fruity taste helps conceal the alcohol flavor, meaning that it is almost too easy to overindulge. These colorful drinks often feature spirits mixed with lemonade, such as vodka with lemon juice or rum with fruit juice.
Ale
Ale, a beer variety originating in medieval England, is brewed using a warm fermentation process. Traditionally, it was made without hops. The ale usually served in English pubs contains a bittering agent for flavor balance and preservation. Brewed with flaked barley and pale malt, most ales have a roasted malt aroma and moderate bitterness. The Germans brewed a similar beverage as early as 800 BCE. Evidence of this ancient brew was found in beer jugs in a tomb near Kulmbach, Bavaria.
Altbier
Altbier stands out among traditional German ales, sharing the spotlight with Cologne’s blond kölsch and Bavaria’s hefeweizens. This brew is a robust, clean-tasting beer, typically ranging from 4.7% to 4.9% alcohol by volume, sporting a copper-brown hue, a dense white foam crown, and a nutty bittersweet finish. It has assertive hop bitterness harmonized by a clean, sturdy malt character. When the malt taste is balanced by a moderate to high fermentation process, the beer keeps its rich, intricate, and slightly grainy flavors. You might catch a touch of fruity scents, such as cherry, that stick around after brewing.
Amaretto
Amaretto is a sweet Italian liqueur hailing from Saronno, crafted from natural sources like apricot kernels and almonds, meaning it has that distinctive almond-like benzaldehyde flavor. With its honeyed, nutty taste, this liqueur has a copper hue and silky texture akin to an amaro. It can be savored neat, mixed in cocktails, or paired with coffee. Widely utilized in Italian and international cuisines, amaretto also enhances confectionery and baked goods.
Amontillado
Amontillado, a type of sherry wine, is known for its hue, which is darker than fino but lighter than oloroso. Its delicate aroma blends a base with hints of hazelnut, plants, aromatic herbs, and dark tobacco. The taste is light, smooth, and well-balanced with acidity, offering complexity and evocative flavors, leading to a dry finish and a lingering aftertaste of nuts and wood. Best served between 54 and 57°F, Amontillado pairs excellently with soups, consommés, white meat, tuna, mushrooms, semi-cured cheese, asparagus, and artichokes.
Aperol Spritz
An Aperol spritz is a wine-based cocktail and a popular apéritif in Italy. It is made with Prosecco, bitters, and soda water. The classic spritz veneziano, originating in Venice in 1920, features Select bitters. Its taste is a mix of sweet citrus with a hint of bitterness. The Aperol Spritz variation, also dry due to the prosecco, is known for its low alcohol content at 11%, making it ideal for those moderating their intake. To further reduce the alcohol, pairing it with non-alcoholic sparkling wine is also an option.
Aperitif
Apéritifs and digestifs, alcoholic beverages often served before or after a meal, differ mainly in consumption timing and sweetness. Apéritifs, drier and consumed before meals, are lower in ABV, like vermouth, pastis, or sherry. Digestifs, on the other hand, are more likely to be enjoyed post-meal and are sweeter, more robust, or more bitter, such as amaro. These drinks enhance the dining experience by stimulating the appetite or aiding digestion post-meal.
Apple Cider
Fresh apple cider is non-alcoholic initially, but if left unpasteurized, it can ferment naturally and turn into hard apple cider over time. Making hard cider involves adding yeast to ferment the sugars into alcohol. Hard cider, considered the grown-up version of apple cider, can be crafted from various fruits like apples, pears, strawberries, or peaches. The cider’s flavor profile mirrors the apple varieties used, ranging from sweet to tangy. While some ciders feature a single apple type like Honeycrisp, most use blends for a sweet and fruity taste.
Apple Martini
An apple martini is a cocktail that usually includes vodka mixed with some kind of apple-flavored liquids like apple juice cider, liqueur, or apple brandy. While not a traditional martini, it falls into the category of drinks bearing the term “martini” in their names. The flavor profile of an apple martini is a harmonious blend of sweetness and tartness, with a predominant vodka taste complemented by the essence of apple. The potency of this cocktail can vary based on the specific recipe and alcohol content, often averaging around 20-30% alcohol by volume.
Aquavit
Akvavit, a distilled spirit originating in Scandinavia since the 15th century, is made from grains or potatoes and infused with various herbs. Also enjoyed in Northern Germany, this potent drink contains at least 37.5% alcohol and is characterized by caraway or dill flavors. Often underappreciated, aquavit is a classic spirit with a rich history. In Denmark, it serves as a base in cocktails, while in the US, it’s used more as a seasoning. American mixologists may rinse a glass with aquavit or add a splash to enhance cocktail flavors.
Arak
Arak is a clear, unsweetened Levantine spirit from the anise drinks family. This distilled beverage, sometimes spelled araq, is crafted using a blend of grapes and anise seeds, offering a distinct scent with a flavor akin to absinthe. Variants of this drink can be found in the Mediterranean region, like Turkey’s raki and Greece’s tsikoudia. Often enjoyed with meze, a spread of various traditional dishes, and alongside grilled meats, arak is a popular choice as an apéritif.
Armagnac
Armagnac is a unique type of brandy hailing from the Gascony region in southwest France, is crafted from a blend of grapes like Baco 22A, Colombard, and Ugni blanc. Distinguished by its column still distillation method, it contrasts cognac’s pot still process. After distillation, the spirit matures in oak casks, developing flavors of prunes, oranges, apricots, vanilla, and coffee. Widely used in cooking, Armagnac enhances pastries, sauces, and marinades, infusing dishes with its distinctive essence.
Aviation
The Aviation cocktail blends gin, maraschino liqueur, and lemon juice, with crème de violette. Served straight up, it showcases a mix of citrus and floral flavors with a balanced sweetness and alcohol content. Named for its pale blue hue (like the sky!) from the crème de violette, this classic drink originated during the early days of air travel when it symbolized luxury for the wealthy.
Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Acerola Juice
Acerola grows as a shrub or small tree-bearing cherry-like red fruits rich in vitamin C. These fruits are utilized to prevent scurvy, a condition arising from vitamin C deficiency, and to ward off heart disease, atherosclerosis, blood clots, and cancer. Acerola juice, extracted from the vibrant red cherries, boasts a tangy-sweet taste akin to apples, with color variations from pale orange to reddish hues. Whether sweetened or not, the juice retains its distinct flavor profile, making it a popular choice for its nutritional benefits and refreshing taste.
Agua Fresca
Aguas frescas, meaning ‘cool waters’ in English, are light, non-alcoholic beverages crafted by blending fruits, cereals, flowers, or seeds with sugar and water. This refreshing drink offers a myriad of delightful flavors depending on what kind of ingredients are incorporated. They serve as a fantastic complement to any meal, available in varieties like hibiscus flowers, pineapple, watermelon, melon, and horchata. Historical accounts trace back the tradition to the Aztecs acquiring fruits for their agua fresca in Tenochtitlan. In the 1940s, a vendor introduced this beverage on a cart, quickly turning it into a popular street market essential.
Almond Milk
Almond milk, a plant-based milk alternative, is made at a base level from blended almonds and water. Offering a nutty flavor and a thin consistency. Unlike cow’s milk, it is free from cholesterol and lactose, boasting low saturated fat content. Its distinct nuttiness distinguishes it from traditional dairy milk, described as sweet and creamy, with a hint of graininess. This milk substitute enhances the taste of beverages like coffee, smoothies, and even boba tea! And don’t forget the humble almond milk latte, a hipster coffee shop favorite.
Aloe Vera Juice
Aloe vera has a long history as a medicinal plant. Its juice is thick and extracted from the leaf’s flesh. Packed with antioxidants, it combats free radicals, reducing oxidative stress and lowering the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. It’s also a rich source of Vitamin C. While raw aloe vera gel straight from the leaf can be bitter, commercial aloe vera juices taste better with natural flavorings or sweeteners.
Americano
Caffè americano, also referred to as americano or Americano, is a coffee concoction achieved by mixing a shot of espresso with hot water, generally at a ratio of 1:3 to 1:4. This blend yields a beverage that upholds the intricate espresso flavors but in a milder form with reduced bitterness. It embodies a classic espresso-style essence, boasting a smooth and well-balanced taste. The moniker “Americano” stems from its Italian translation, signifying “American Coffee,” originating from American soldiers’ preference during World War II for a less intense version of Italian espresso.
Ambrosia
Ambrosia is a sweet nectar akin to honey. Its origins are in Greek mythology, where it was dubbed the food of the gods and believed to grant immortality. While the precise recipe remains lost to time, it’s described as having a sweet aroma and a refreshing taste. A modern recipe includes citrus fruits for tanginess, coconut for creaminess, marshmallows for texture, pineapple for sweetness, and whipped cream for indulgence.
Apple Juice
Apple juice is made from crushed and squeezed apples, then processed using enzymes and centrifugation. Its sweetness, derived from natural fructose, offers a homely, refreshing taste. Varieties like Red Delicious, Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Fuji, and Pink Lady apples are recommended for juicing. Rich in Vitamin C for tissue growth and repair, apple juice is also packed with polyphenols, acting as antioxidants to shield the body from harmful free radicals. Despite its benefits, moderation is key due to its high sugar content, as excessive sugar intake may lead to health issues like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
Apricot Juice
Apricot nectar combines finely screened apricot pulp, juice, sweeteners, water, and ascorbic acid. Rich in antioxidants such as vitamins A, E, and C, it aids in combating oxidative stress on body tissues from free radicals. Apricots are lauded for their anti-inflammatory benefits, potentially alleviating chronic inflammation linked to conditions like metabolic syndrome. On the flip side, too much apricot juice may contribute to metabolic syndrome, so moderation is key.
Arnold Palmer
The Arnold Palmer stands as a popular non-alcoholic drink blending iced tea and lemonade, attributed to the legendary American golfer Arnold Palmer, who liked to drink it after games. Palmer signed a beverage licensing deal with AriZona Beverage Co. in 2001, leading to the creation of the iconic drink. This beverage, generating over $200 million in annual revenue, carries a robust tea essence complemented by a distinctly tangy lemon taste. The concoction has become a classic choice enjoyed by many.
Ayran
Ayran, also known as doogh, dhallë, dew, avamast, mastaw, shaneena, or xynogala, is a chilled yogurt-based drink enjoyed in Central Asia, West Asia, Southeastern Europe, North Asia, and Eastern Europe. Made with yogurt, water, and salt, this tangy beverage may include mint or even cucumber for added flavor. Its taste resembles buttermilk or kefir, tangy and smooth. Ayran’s hydrating properties, probiotics, and electrolyte-replenishing salt make it an ideal post-workout drink.
More Foods/Drinks!
Red drinks listed with pictures, facts
Yellow foods listed with pictures, facts
100 foods that start with the letter A
100 foods that start with the letter B
100 foods that start with the letter C
3-letter foods listed with pictures and facts
4-letter foods listed with pictures and facts
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