Italy
Bright lemon liqueur from southern Italy, usually served chilled after dinner.
Barbados
Well-known Barbadian rum brand and popular holiday gift.
Plum brandy from Serbia and the Balkans.
Guyana
Rich rum from Guyana, associated with Demerara sugar estates.
Armenia
Grape brandy from Armenia, often aged and gift-boxed.
Czechia
Herbal Czech liqueur often served chilled as a digestif.
Belgium
When I think of an easy, crowd-pleasing thing to bring back from Belgium, Belgian beer gift pack is a good pick because it does not need much explanation when you hand it over. For alcohol, I would only bring this back if it is sealed properly and comfortably within the UK allowance; otherwise it is better as a UK-buy link. I would rate it higher when it is locally made, clearly labelled and easy to use at home, and lower when it is just tourist packaging.
Nicaragua
Well-known Nicaraguan rum brand with aged expressions.
Turkey
Aniseed spirit often served with water and meze.
Cuba
When I think of an easy, crowd-pleasing thing to bring back from Cuba, Cuban rum is a good pick because it does not need much explanation when you hand it over. For alcohol, I would only bring this back if it is sealed properly and comfortably within the UK allowance; otherwise it is better as a UK-buy link. I would rate it higher when it is locally made, clearly labelled and easy to use at home, and lower when it is just tourist packaging.
Netherlands
Dutch juniper spirit, historical predecessor to gin.
Ireland
I would put Irish whiskey miniature on the list for Ireland because it is the kind of thing that feels useful once you are home, not just another airport purchase. For alcohol, I would only bring this back if it is sealed properly and comfortably within the UK allowance; otherwise it is better as a UK-buy link. The reason it works is that it gives you a quick reminder of the trip without needing to keep a fragile ornament safe forever.
Jamaica
When I think of an easy, crowd-pleasing thing to bring back from Jamaica, Jamaican rum is a good pick because it does not need much explanation when you hand it over. For alcohol, I would only bring this back if it is sealed properly and comfortably within the UK allowance; otherwise it is better as a UK-buy link. I would rate it higher when it is locally made, clearly labelled and easy to use at home, and lower when it is just tourist packaging.
United Kingdom
Single malt whisky miniature is worth adding because it feels like something you actually noticed while travelling through United Kingdom, rather than a generic souvenir. For alcohol, I would only bring this back if it is sealed properly and comfortably within the UK allowance; otherwise it is better as a UK-buy link. The ideal version is modestly priced, not too bulky, and good enough that you would buy it again even without the holiday memory.
United States
Bourbon miniature is worth adding because it feels like something you actually noticed while travelling through United States, rather than a generic souvenir. For alcohol, I would only bring this back if it is sealed properly and comfortably within the UK allowance; otherwise it is better as a UK-buy link. The ideal version is modestly priced, not too bulky, and good enough that you would buy it again even without the holiday memory.
Grape brandy often homemade or locally bottled in Albania.
Poland
When I think of an easy, crowd-pleasing thing to bring back from Poland, bison grass vodka is a good pick because it does not need much explanation when you hand it over. For alcohol, I would only bring this back if it is sealed properly and comfortably within the UK allowance; otherwise it is better as a UK-buy link. I would rate it higher when it is locally made, clearly labelled and easy to use at home, and lower when it is just tourist packaging.
Dominican Republic
Dominican spiced rum drink infused with bark, herbs and honey.
When I think of an easy, crowd-pleasing thing to bring back from Greece, mastiha liqueur is a good pick because it does not need much explanation when you hand it over. For alcohol, I would only bring this back if it is sealed properly and comfortably within the UK allowance; otherwise it is better as a UK-buy link. I would rate it higher when it is locally made, clearly labelled and easy to use at home, and lower when it is just tourist packaging.
Mauritius
Sugarcane-based rum from Mauritius, often with vanilla or spice notes.
Lebanon
Arak bottle is worth adding because it feels like something you actually noticed while travelling through Lebanon, rather than a generic souvenir. For alcohol, I would only bring this back if it is sealed properly and comfortably within the UK allowance; otherwise it is better as a UK-buy link. The ideal version is modestly priced, not too bulky, and good enough that you would buy it again even without the holiday memory.
Belize
When I think of an easy, crowd-pleasing thing to bring back from Belize, Belize rum is a good pick because it does not need much explanation when you hand it over. For alcohol, I would only bring this back if it is sealed properly and comfortably within the UK allowance; otherwise it is better as a UK-buy link. I would rate it higher when it is locally made, clearly labelled and easy to use at home, and lower when it is just tourist packaging.
Brazil
Sugarcane spirit used to make caipirinhas.
Bolivia
When I think of an easy, crowd-pleasing thing to bring back from Bolivia, singani grape spirit is a good pick because it does not need much explanation when you hand it over. For alcohol, I would only bring this back if it is sealed properly and comfortably within the UK allowance; otherwise it is better as a UK-buy link. I would rate it higher when it is locally made, clearly labelled and easy to use at home, and lower when it is just tourist packaging.
South Korea
Korean distilled drink, often sold plain or in fruit flavours.
South Africa
Cream liqueur made with marula fruit, popular as a dessert drink.
Japan
Japanese rice-based alcoholic drink, served chilled or warm depending on style.
Denmark
Akvavit bottle is worth adding because it feels like something you actually noticed while travelling through Denmark, rather than a generic souvenir. For alcohol, I would only bring this back if it is sealed properly and comfortably within the UK allowance; otherwise it is better as a UK-buy link. The ideal version is modestly priced, not too bulky, and good enough that you would buy it again even without the holiday memory.
Norway
Aquavit bottle is worth adding because it feels like something you actually noticed while travelling through Norway, rather than a generic souvenir. For alcohol, I would only bring this back if it is sealed properly and comfortably within the UK allowance; otherwise it is better as a UK-buy link. The ideal version is modestly priced, not too bulky, and good enough that you would buy it again even without the holiday memory.
Croatia
Cherry liqueur associated with Zadar, used neat or in cocktails.
Mexico
Smoky agave spirit from Mexico, often sipped neat.
Malta
Prickly pear liqueur from Malta, usually served chilled.
France
Anise-flavoured aperitif from southern France, usually diluted with cold water.
Peru
Grape brandy used in pisco sours and other cocktails.
Latvia
Dark herbal liqueur from Latvia, often used in cocktails.
Slovakia
Tea-based herbal liqueur from Slovakia’s Tatra region.
Estonia
Sweet spiced rum-based Estonian liqueur.