Hey, drink lovers! Whether it’s a cozy coffee or a celebratory cocktail, beverages are the heartbeat of our daily rituals and big moments. They’re not just hydration they’re culture, comfort, and sometimes, courage in a glass. But lurking in the world of drinks are some that don’t just refresh they shock, confuse, and spark epic debates over whether they’re genius or just plain gross.
From social media rants to barstool arguments, the internet has lit up with takes on drinks that make you wonder, “Who thought this was a good idea?” Some are cultural staples, others are health fads gone wild, and a few are so out there they sound like pranks. Yet, for every hater, there’s someone swearing by their quirky charm, keeping these oddities on shelves and in glasses.
Get ready to explore 14 of the most divisive drinks, each with three meaty paragraphs to dive into their bizarre allure, the controversies they stir, and why they’re still around. From wormwood liquor to literal poop tea, this list is a rollercoaster of flavors and reactions. Sip along (or spit it out) as we uncover the drinks that make us question everything!
1. Malort: The Taste of Regret
Jeppson’s Malort, a wormwood-based spirit from Chicago, isn’t just a drink it’s a dare. With a flavor profile often compared to gasoline or gym socks, this 35% alcohol beast is infamous for its bitter, lingering bite. It’s not Merlot’s cousin; it’s the black sheep of liquors, loved and loathed with equal passion.
- Why It’s Polarizing: Its harsh, bitter taste is a shock to the system, yet some embrace the challenge.
- Quick Fix: Try it chilled to dull the bite, or skip it unless you’re feeling brave.
Online reviews are a riot, with one gem describing Malort as “damp socks fermented in a warm closet.” Its marketing leans into the hate, with slogans like “Malort, for when you want to unfriend someone in person” or “tonight’s the night you fight your dad.” This self-aware humor has built a cult following, especially among bartenders who use it as a prank shot.
Malort’s staying power comes from its audacity and Chicago pride. It’s not about enjoyment it’s about surviving the experience and earning the story. If you’re curious, brace yourself, but don’t say we didn’t warn you!
2. La Croix: Fizzy Disappointment
La Croix sparked a sparkling water revolution, with its sleek cans and fruit-inspired flavors winning over health nuts and hipsters alike. But for every fan, there’s a critic slamming its whisper-thin taste, famously described as “someone thinking about fruit in another room.” It’s the ultimate love-it-or-hate-it fizz.
- Why It’s Polarizing: Its faint flavor frustrates those expecting bold fruitiness, yet others love the light touch.
- Quick Fix: Mix with real fruit juice for a bolder kick, or embrace it as a low-calorie soda swap.
Reddit roasts La Croix for promising flavor but delivering “TV static with a hint of sadness.” Detractors argue it’s overhyped, barely distinguishable from plain seltzer, while fans adore its subtle, guilt-free refreshment. The debate rages over whether it’s a hydration hero or a marketing scam.
La Croix’s popularity endures thanks to its branding and health appeal, but it’s a litmus test for taste tolerance. If you crave punchy flavors, you might join the haters otherwise, sip and enjoy the minimalist fizz.
3. Moxie: Maine’s Bitter Mystery
Moxie, Maine’s official soft drink, is a sweet-bitter blend powered by gentian root extract, once marketed as a “Nerve Food” cure-all. Its herbal, medicinal tang is a New England icon, but beyond its borders, it’s a head-scratcher. Critics call it “rust stripper” for its sharp bite.
- Why It’s Polarizing: Its intense, herbal flavor clashes with soda expectations, alienating newcomers.
- Quick Fix: Chill it well or mix with cola to soften the bitterness.
Reddit users don’t hold back, with one declaring, “I could use Moxie to clean my car.” Even fans admit it’s an acquired taste, with one joking it “tastes like hate.” Finishing a bottle often feels like a badge of honor, driven by pride rather than pleasure.
Moxie’s niche appeal lies in its regional nostalgia and quirky history. If you’re in Maine, give it a shot for the culture but don’t expect it to replace your Coke anytime soon.
4. Kombucha: Funky Fizz or Fermented Foe
Kombucha, the fermented tea hyped for gut health, is a fizzy darling of wellness gurus. Its tangy, vinegary kick has fans raving about its probiotic perks, but detractors gag at its funk, comparing it to “a truck stop bathroom sink” or “diluted vomit.” It’s a health trend that divides like no other.
- Why It’s Polarizing: Its funky, inconsistent taste and gassy side effects turn off as many as it wins.
- Quick Fix: Start with milder brands or dilute with juice to ease into the tang.
The flavor roulette is real some bottles are mildly tart, others reek of vinegar or “old man smell.” Inconsistent brewing makes every sip a gamble, and the burp-inducing fizz doesn’t help. Critics argue the health claims are overhyped, while fans swear by its energizing buzz.
Kombucha’s staying power comes from its health halo and trendy vibe. If you can stomach the funk, it’s a quirky addition to your fridge just don’t expect everyone to toast your choice.
5. Clamato: Clam-Flavored Chaos
Clamato tomato juice spiked with clam broth sounds like a prank, but it’s a real drink with a loyal following, especially in Mexico. Used in Micheladas with beer and spices, it’s a cultural staple. Yet, the idea of clam juice in a drink has many asking, “Who’s buying this?”
- Why It’s Polarizing: Clam juice in a drink is a hard sell, but its role in cocktails wins converts.
- Quick Fix: Try it in a Michelada to appreciate its savory magic, or stick to plain tomato juice.
Critics recoil at the fishy concept, wondering why it’s still on shelves. Fans, however, praise its savory depth, with one saying, “Lazy Caesars with Clamato, hot sauce, and celery salt are so good.” It’s a mixer that transforms skepticism into surprising devotion for those who dare.
Clamato thrives in specific contexts, like spicy cocktails, where its oddity becomes an asset. If you’re curious, mix it up in a recipe before judging context is everything with this one.
6. Jäegermeister: Herbal Horror Show
Jäegermeister, Germany’s 56-herb digestif, packs a 35% alcohol punch with a syrupy, licorice-heavy profile. Loved as a post-meal shot or party staple, it’s loathed by others as “straight up nasty” cough syrup. Its bold flavor resists mixing, making it a love-or-hate legend.
- Why It’s Polarizing: Its overpowering herbal taste and boozy kick overwhelm many palates.
- Quick Fix: Serve ice-cold or mix with ginger beer to tame the intensity.
Reddit rants highlight its infamy, with tales of wild nights ending in regret like getting “kicked out of a strip club” after too many shots. Even fans admit it’s intense, though some swear by it as a BBQ marinade. Its cultural baggage as a party fuel adds to the divide.
Jäegermeister’s allure lies in its tradition and party cred, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. If you’re game for a bold sip, chill it first otherwise, steer clear of this herbal beast.
7. Baby Mice Wine: A Fermented Freakout
In South China and Korea, baby mice wine is a “health tonic” where infant mice ferment in rice wine for a year, creating a rodent-flavored brew. Once a remedy for everything from asthma to liver issues, it’s now a niche shocker that pushes ethical and taste boundaries.
- Why It’s Polarizing: The idea of drinking fermented mice is a visceral turn-off for most.
- Quick Fix: Stick to rice wine without the rodents unless you’re chasing cultural extremes.
The process is grim: hairless, newborn mice are submerged in rice wine, infusing it with a pungent, acquired taste. It’s said to get you “very drunk very fast,” which might be the only way to forget the experience. Even locals admit it’s more tradition than treat.
This wine survives as a cultural artifact, not a mainstream sip. If you’re in the region and daring, try it for the story but don’t expect it to become your go-to drink.
8. Sourtoe Cocktail: Toes in Your Tipple
Yukon’s Sourtoe Cocktail is less a drink, more a rite of passage. A shot of your choice comes with a mummified human toe, and your lips must touch it to join the club. Born from a 1920s frostbite mishap, it’s been a bizarre tradition since 1973.
- Why It’s Polarizing: A human toe in your drink is a psychological and ethical nightmare.
- Quick Fix: Choose a strong spirit to dull the experience, or skip it for sanity’s sake.
The toe, preserved in alcohol, has a grim history one was swallowed in 2013, costing the culprit $2500. Reviews are scarce on taste (it’s just a shot), but the mental hurdle of toe contact is enough to make most recoil. Yet, thousands brave it for bragging rights.
The Sourtoe Cocktail thrives on its shock value and quirky lore. If you’re in Yukon and feeling wild, it’s a story to tell just don’t plan on savoring the moment.
9. Kopi Luwak: Cat Poop Coffee
Kopi Luwak, the world’s priciest coffee, comes from beans eaten, digested, and excreted by Indonesian civet cats. The enzymes in their gut smooth out acidity, creating a rich, low-acid brew. But the “cat poop coffee” label and ethical concerns make it a divisive sip.
- Why It’s Polarizing: The poop origin and animal welfare issues clash with its premium price.
- Quick Fix: Seek certified, cage-free Kopi Luwak if you must try it, or stick to regular brews.
Discovered during Dutch colonial times, it was a farmer’s workaround to bans on harvesting coffee. Today, 80% of Kopi Luwak is fake, and caged civets face cruel conditions, souring its luxury appeal. Fans rave about its smoothness, but critics can’t get past the poop factor.
Its exclusivity keeps Kopi Luwak alive, but ethical sourcing is key. If you’re curious, splurge on a verified cup otherwise, your morning latte is probably just fine.
10. Dung-Smoked Whale Testicle Beer
Iceland’s Hvalur beer, brewed for the Thorri festival, uses whale testicles smoked with sheep dung, mixed with glacier water and barley. This stout’s smoky, meaty flavor honors Viking traditions, but its ingredients make it a hard sell outside Iceland’s cultural bubble.
- Why It’s Polarizing: Whale testicles and dung smoking are a cultural leap too far for many.
- Quick Fix: Try it at Thorri festival for context, or stick to less extreme stouts.
The brewing process is meticulous, with 15-18-pound testicles smoked over dung (no trees in Iceland!) for a unique taste. Health approvals ensure safety, but the mental image of testicle-infused beer turns most away. Fans describe caramel and smoke notes, but it’s an acquired taste.
Hvalur’s niche appeal lies in its nod to Icelandic heritage. If you’re at the festival, raise a glass to Odin but don’t expect this to hit your local brewery anytime soon.
11. Seagull Wine: Arctic Oddity
In the Arctic Circle, Inuit communities craft “seagull wine” by fermenting dead seagulls in water under the sun. Born from resourcefulness in a grape-less region, it’s a boozy survival tactic, not a gourmet sip. Its reputation for brutal hangovers doesn’t help its case.
- Why It’s Polarizing: Fermented seagulls are a tough sell, ethically and flavor-wise.
- Quick Fix: Leave this to Arctic adventurers and opt for safer spirits.
The taste is predictably harsh, reflecting its crude ingredients. One tourist, unaware of the seagull content, called it “not that bad,” but most agree it’s a drink to endure, not enjoy. Its sole perk? Getting you “inebriated in a hurry” in a harsh climate.
Seagull wine survives as a testament to Inuit ingenuity, but it’s not hitting happy hour menus. If you’re offered a sip, politeness might demand a taste just brace for the aftermath.
12. Panda Dung Tea: Pricey Poop Brew
China’s Panda Dung Tea, fertilized with panda excrement in Sichuan, is the world’s priciest tea at £46,000 per kilogram. Pandas’ inefficient digestion leaves nutrient-rich droppings, boosting tea leaves’ flavor with vitamins and antioxidants. It’s a luxury sip with a wild backstory.
- Why It’s Polarizing: Poop-based tea at a luxury price is a hard sell for most.
- Quick Fix: Try it for the novelty if you’re wealthy, or stick to standard green tea.
Entrepreneur An Yanshi praises its smooth, nutty taste, aiming for a Guinness record. Critics, however, balk at the poop connection and sky-high cost. The panda love is real, but sipping tea grown in their waste tests even the most adventurous palates.
Its exorbitant price and panda charm keep this tea alive, but it’s a niche indulgence. If you’re in Sichuan with cash to burn, give it a whirl otherwise, your regular brew is just fine.
13. Cow Urine Soda: Sacred Sip
India’s Gaul Jal, launched in 2011, is a cow urine-based soft drink rooted in Hindu traditions, where cow byproducts are revered for health benefits like blood sugar control. Marketed as a healthier Coke alternative, it’s struggled to compete with mainstream sodas.
- Why It’s Polarizing: Cow urine in a soda clashes with Western taste norms, despite cultural reverence.
- Quick Fix: Respect the tradition but try herbal teas for similar health claims.
Fans claim it’s refreshing and medicinal, but the urine component is a dealbreaker for many. Its cultural significance gives it a loyal niche, but the global market hasn’t embraced “golden soda” as a summer staple, despite its patriotic pitch.
Gaul Jal’s cultural roots keep it relevant in India, but it’s a tough sell elsewhere. If you’re curious, approach with an open mind or stick to less sacred refreshers.
14. Placenta 10000: Beauty in a Bottle
Japan’s Placenta 10000, a jelly-like drink with 10,000mg of pig placenta, promises peach-like flavor and anti-aging benefits. Marketed as a beauty elixir, it taps into the idea that placenta consumption boosts regeneration, as seen in animals. A 40,000mg version ups the ante.
- Why It’s Polarizing: Pig placenta in a drink is a visceral and ethical hurdle for most.
- Quick Fix: Try it for the novelty in Japan, or stick to proven skincare routines.
Fans swear by its skin-enhancing powers, but the placenta source and gelatinous texture gross out many. The concept of drinking pig placenta for beauty is a cultural leap that leaves Westerners skeptical, despite Japan’s love for quirky health drinks.
Placenta 10000 thrives in Japan’s beauty-obsessed market, but it’s a niche oddity elsewhere. If you’re chasing youth, a good moisturizer might be less stomach-churning.
From Malort’s bitter bite to placenta jelly shots, these 14 drinks prove taste is wildly subjective. Whether they’re cultural treasures or gag-inducing dares, they spark stories and debates that make sipping an adventure. Next time you grab a drink, raise a glass to the weird and wonderful!
