The Best Drinks in Madrid: A Local's Guide to Wine, Beer and Vermouth

Wine: always on the Spanish table

A good wine for eating is always on the table in a typical Spanish home, and you will find an enormous diversity of them in any market or restaurant. Believe me, if you love wine, you will never have a single problem in Spain. Reds pair beautifully with the classics of Madrid: the finest manchego cheese, exquisite serrano ham, or a slow-cooked stew on a cooler day. Whether you prefer something bold and full-bodied or light and easy to drink, there is a bottle waiting for you in almost every corner of the city.

• Pair a good red with manchego cheese and serrano ham
• Order it by the glass to sample different regions
• Look for local wine bars in the historic centre near Plaza Mayor

Beer: the everyday king of Madrid

If wine rules the table, beer rules the street. We could say that the most common drink in Madrid is beer, and once you head out for a tapas night you will find it absolutely everywhere. Ordering a cold caña, a small glass of draught beer, is a ritual you will never regret. It is refreshing, affordable and almost always comes with a little something to nibble on. There is no better way to cool down after a long day of walking between Puerta del Sol, Gran Vía and the Retiro.

• Ask for a caña for a small draught, or a doble for a larger one
• It pairs with practically any tapa you order
• Perfect for terraces and warm summer evenings

Vermouth: my personal favourite

Now let me tell you about one of my favourites: vermouth. This drink can drive anyone crazy. Do not even ask about the ingredients, because there are dozens of them in a good vermouth; just taste it and enjoy it. Vermouth has become hugely popular across Spain, and especially in Madrid, where you will find excellent bars serving it ice-cold with an olive and a slice of orange. The tradition of the vermut before lunch on weekends is something every visitor should experience at least once.

• Try it as an aperitif before lunch, the classic hora del vermut
• Explore Cava Baja Street, where I have had some of the best drinks in Madrid
• Order it on tap for the most authentic version

Cider and chacolí: flavours from the North

There are two other drinks that are simply out of this world, especially when paired with good food: cider and chacolí. Both are typical of Northern Spain, so how did I taste them in Madrid? On a gastronomical tour, which turned out to be one of the finest experiences of my life. On our first stop we ate the famous pinchos with a glass of chacolí, a young white wine that makes your mouth fall in love with sour flavours. Later, cider arrived alongside cod, and the combination was unforgettable. You do not need to travel to the Basque Country or Asturias to enjoy them, Madrid brings the North to you.

• Chacolí: a slightly sparkling, sharp white wine, great with pinchos
• Cider: traditionally poured from a height, delicious with cod
• Both shine when matched with strong, salty dishes

Where to drink like a local

The heart of Madrid's drinking scene beats in its historic quarter. Cava Baja, in the La Latina neighbourhood, is a legendary street lined with bars where you can hop from vermouth to wine to beer in a single evening. From there you are only steps from Plaza Mayor and the maze of streets around it. If you want to combine drinks with atmosphere, wander through the tapas bars near Puerta del Sol, or end your night in the buzzing terraces that fill the city once the heat finally fades.

• La Latina and Cava Baja for the classic bar crawl
• The streets around Plaza Mayor for traditional taverns
• Terraces across the centre for warm-weather evenings

Taste Madrid through its flavours

If you are the kind of traveller who believes that food and drink are an essential part of any trip, then you simply have to taste these dishes and raise a glass of these beverages. A good drink tells you as much about a city as any monument. Do not miss the opportunity to get to know Madrid through its flavours, whether that means a caña on a sunny terrace, a vermouth on Cava Baja, or a glass of chacolí on a gastronomical tour. Come thirsty and leave with a new favourite. Cheers!