What do people drink in Georgia, and how do Georgians drink wine?
Wine, chacha, lemonades, mineral water and feast etiquette.
Short answer
Wine is Georgia's main drink, enjoyed at the table with toasts led by the tamada, from glasses or, on special occasions, a horn. Chacha, a grape spirit, is the popular strong drink, while soft drinks include tarragon and other flavoured lemonades, Borjomi, Nabeghlavi and Sairme mineral waters, and tea. Beer is also common, especially in summer.
Why
- At a feast, people drink after toasts rather than at will, and draining the glass is not always expected.
- The famous Georgian lemonades date back to the 19th century and Mitrofan Lagidze.
- Everyone decides how much to drink, and politely declining at the table is fine.
Details
Chacha can be very strong, homemade versions sometimes above 60% alcohol, so drink it slowly. Alcohol is sold in Georgia to people over 18.
Tip
At a feast, drink with the toasts and pace yourself, as wine flows freely.
What may differ
In the mountains and villages people drink more homemade wine and chacha; in cities, bottled.
People also ask
- What do Georgians drink?
Sources
- National Wine Agency of GeorgiaChecked at:
This answer is for reference only. Alcohol is sold to over-18s; drink in moderation.
What Georgians drink besides wineRelated questions
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What is amber wine in Georgia?
The Georgian Law on Vine and Wine divides wines by colour into white, amber, rosé and red.
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What is the horn Georgians drink wine from called?
The drinking horn in Georgia is called a kantsi; it is made of animal horn, and the richer ones are decorated with gold and silver.
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How many Georgian wines have a protected designation of origin?
On 11 November 2026 Georgia has 33 protected designations of origin (PDO) for wine.
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What is Bolnisi wine?
Bolnisi is a protected designation of origin for dry white, amber, red and rosé wines from the Bolnisi micro-zone in the south of Kvemo Kartli.