Vinho Quente – Authentic Portuguese Mulled Wine

Vinho Quente Hot Wine

For those of us from cooler climates something synonymous with the cold weather, dark evenings, and Christmas markets is a mug of hot red wine. That’s Mulled Wine for the English speakers, Glühwein for the Germans, and Glögg for the Scandinavians. Here in Portugal hot wine is quite literally Vinho Quente. There’s something special about …

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Licor Beirão: Is This Really Portugal’s National Drink?

Licor Beirão

In a country of exceptional wines and ports, something that is often missed off visitors’ drinking lists is Licor Beirão. It might even be a surprise to some that its slogan ‘O licor de Portugal’ and it claims to be the national liquor. Is this really the national drink of Portugal that not many outside …

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Super Bock or Sagres? A Guide to Beer in Portugal

Super Bock Or Sagres

For the last few years a large sign at Faro airport has declared ”/saa-grsh/ – it’s Portuguese for beer!”. While a now replaced giant sign on an apartment block as you drove into Faro shouted ‘Superbock, Very Typical’. Both companies spend a large chunk of their marketing budgets to ingrain themselves into Portuguese culture and …

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Gambas ao Alhinho – Portuguese Fried Garlic Prawns

Gambas ao Alhinho

Gambas ao Alhinho is a classic Portuguese appetizer, it combines large prawns lightly fried in a pan with plenty of olive oil and garlic. Everything is then deglazed with a good white wine and topped up with plenty of fresh cilantro or parsley. Very Portuguese, right? Well, the dish is actually believed to be an …

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