The not-port drink to drink when in Porto

27 June 2012 By Luna Dizon

Bar reviews | Eating and drinking | Porto | Tipples

Jun

In Ribeira and looking up

Enjoying a sunny day with a walk along Porto's Ribeira. Colourful and lively - the views all around from the houses, restaurants and bars that line the Ribeira to the river and Gaia on the other side are fantastic.

Yes, of course you should try the port - actually, you should try a whole range, white port, red port and even pink port. And try several varieties of each, why not - you're in Porto!

Port, all sorts of port!

But if you're out with a tripeiro (Porto native - see our eating Porto story here for why they have this nickname) or few, you'll notice, they don't really drink the stuff. Bearing in mind they have lots and lots of the stuff - and other than the super vintage ones, really ridiculously cheap (actually, lots of things in Porto are cheap!), I thought they would be drink more. Although, to be fair, I only ever drink it at Christmas!

The best in the World?

G&T, yes please!

This is my first G&T at Peter's - it was pouring with rain quite heavily all around us but there's nothing I would rather be sipping anywhere else in the world.

Back to that other drink… can you guess what it is? It's a Gin and Tonic. Sounds a little bit dull but it's no ordinary Gin and Tonic - it's a G&T from Peter's Café Sport on the waterfront. Given that I was taken there on two occasions (I was only in Porto for 2 and a bit days) by two different locals - both saying it's the best G&T in the world, I reckon it must be the not-port drink you have to try when you're in Porto!

Peter's Cafe Sport

Peter's started out as a sailor's bar in the Azures (it's probably the most famous bar in the Azures too). Being such a big hit, it was also brought to Porto. Walking along Ribiera, you won't be able to miss it's bright blue chairs and its blue table cloths - all with a big whale on it.

Great on rainy and sunshiney days!

You can see a bit more of our view from our table in this picture - this is G&T time day 2. Gearing up for São João - Porto's biggest festival and all round biggest party of the year, we also have a big plastic hammer on our table. One of the many ways the Tripeiros like to celebrate is to hit each other (and that include's anyone!) with a plastic hammer...

So is it the best G&T in the world? I'm afraid I can't answer that until I've tasted them all. I can, however, happily testify that it is really very good. And you would have to take care not to just sit there and keep drinking them! It's not as bitter as a G&T normally is. It's a touch sweeter and more lemon-y (I love lemon-y drinks so it's already a winner to me!). Get a table outside if you can and drink it whilst you watch the world go by on the river and along the riverfront.

Or woud you rather a P&T?