By Tony Larsen

Water Tower FC, Contributing Writer

NEW YORK (July 24, 2018) Each World Cup, I’ve always enjoyed exploring the culinary culture from each of the represented countries. Particular attention to the adult beverages that enhance the viewing experience. This year’s World Cup is over and attention has been diverted back solely on New York City FC.



My flight was delayed at LaGuardia Airport today, so I have some time while I sit in the Food Hall’s Biergarten. So, what about our local soccer club, New York City FC’s culinary culture?

What would it be like to drink our way through NYCFC?

Let’s choose some beverages from the NYCFC player’s countries of origin.

What would you choose?

What drink would fit each player’s personality or style of play?

Let me know in the responses.

Here is our geographic list you can use to either celebrate or drown some sorrow:



(Please note: This list neither endorses drinking or reflect any form of advertisement for the beverages listed. Always drink responsibly.)

NYCFC Beverage Menu by Player Birthplace

Saad Abdul-Salaam — Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

Doc Porter’s Gin Salty Doc goes down smooth with a nice citrus flavor. If you are ever in Saad’s place of birth, consider giving the Doc Porter distillery a tour.

Kwame Awuah — Toronto, ON, Canada

Molson Beer. While I probably would never actually drink it myself; and it’s from Montreal and not Toronto, there isn’t much that says Canada more. (…besides Elsinore Beer from the movie Strange Brew, eh.)

Jo Inge Berget — Hadeland, Norway

There is actually a really good brewery there in Hadeland, but I went with a more traditional Scandinavian drink. Linie Aquavit. It is one of my favorite snaps. This spiced potato vodka gets its name from have each bottle aged on a ship that has to cross the equator twice. If you can’t find that, go with a good Viking mead.

NYCFC 2015 Founding Member unboxing with a bottle of Linie Aquavit. Credit: Tony Larsen

Jeff Caldwell — Todd, North Carolina, USA

I’ve never been to Todd, NC. I am sure it is nice. I used a web search for this one. From the number of breweries located in the area, the just over 2,000 people of Todd have some great choices. (Maybe a lot of time on their hands too. There were a lot of breweries given the population.) Some of which I have had, and some, I am looking forward to trying. For Jeff, let’s go with Mystic Dragon Cider from Appalachian Mountain Brewing. My Scandinavian side appreciates anything with rhubarb.

Alexander Callens — Callao, Peru

One shouldn’t think of Peru and not think of a Pisco Sour. This brandy-based cocktail even comes with its own national holiday. Grab your Old-Fashioned glass and give the defender a toast.

Maxime Chanot — Nancy, France

Liqueur de Mirabelle — Like Chanot, this yellow plum brandy that comes from near the Lorraine region of France. Good on its own or mixed into desserts.

Yangel Herrera — La Guaira, Venezuela

Venezuela has terrific rum. My drink of choice would be a Ponche Crema. There are a few calories, but they are worth it. There are several different recipes, so play around and find the best one for you. I like the coffee versions.

Cedric Hountondji — Toulouse, France

I know absinthe was originally made in Switzerland and later adopted by the French, but absinthe is one of my favorites from the country. It could be because of the sordid history the alcohol has; or the anise taste, but Cedric gets absinthe. Vincent Van Gogh was said to drink absinthe every evening. It was fitting that Henri de Toulouse sketched the painter with a glass.

Sebastian Ibeagha — Warri, Nigeria

Bature Brewery’s Black Gold is a perfect beer to represent Ibeagha’s homeland. At 10% ABV, it gives tribute to his size as well. While there are larger and more established breweries in Nigeria, as well as, traditional palm wine. Bature is Nigeria’s first craft brewery and was crowd funded. I will always choose a craft brew over the alternative when possible.

Sean Johnson — Atlanta, GA, USA

Sweetwater 420 is a refreshing Extra Pale Ale brewed in Georgia. While nothing says Georgia like a peach, I’d opt for this beer instead as it goes down well in any stadium.

Jonathan Lewis — Plantation, FL, USA

Everyone likes a success story for those that are ambitious and doing what they love. I give Jonathan, The Crown, from Khoffner. It is a Brown Ale that is a good dessert beer. Since Lewis has so far this year come in late and provided some soccer sweetness, this seemed like a good choice. The Khoffner story is pretty inspiring and I wish them nothing but success.

Ronald Matarrita — Alajuela, Costa Rica

Cacique Guaro is tough to find in NYC, so have friends bring some back for you or go on vacation yourself to Costa Rica. The spirit is great straight if you like the aguardiente burn. Personally, I like to mix it with ginger ale, lime and some optional simple syrup.

New York has great breweries. We really can’t go wrong with any of the area breweries. With three of NYCFC’s players being local boys, we’ll lump them together and list out three local breweries you should try. (Two of the three aren’t old enough to drink so we will keep it simple and ask everyone to try a flight from each. Support local!) Up near Tommy’s home is Defiant Brewing. Captain Lawrence is another fantastic option. If you can’t make it that far north, there is always Danish import to Brooklyn Evil Twin Brewing. Tørst is where to go if you want it fresh.

Jesus Medina — Asunción, Paraguay

In truth, I like non-alcoholic mosto juice better than its alcoholic sister Caña. Paraguay is limited in the selection of local drinks, so you may wish to try it’s Tereré instead and use the caffeine from this mate to increase your soccer supporting level.

Maxi Moralez — Granadero Baigorria, Argentina

Maxi and Jesus can argue on which country has the better mate, but we can enjoy one of Argentina’s beautiful Malbecs. These vines imported to Argentina from France provide a low tannin wine to pair with a lean Argentinian steak. Fortunately, these can be found throughout New York’s wine shops.

Ebenezer Ofori — Kumasi, Ghana

Ghana has a distilled palm wine that I am still looking for in New York and cant wait to try. If you know where to get it, please comment. Akpeteshie will destroy your liver with its strength, but many swear by its kick. If you can’t find it, settle for a palm wine of your choice.

Alexander Ring — Helsinki, Finland

While the national drink of Finland is milk, Alex is a bit stronger than that. Being so far north, the land has cloudberries. I like them on ice cream, but they also are used to make lakka. A fruity liqueur I don’t believe is distributed to the USA. However, on your next away game to Canada you should be able to score a bottle or two.

Brad Stuver — Mayfield, OH, USA

With Lake Erie close to Brad’s birthplace, it is fitting to go with a brewery named after the impressive body of water. Great Lakes Brewing Company’s Eliot Ness Amber Lager is a smooth lager with a decent ABV. I also have appreciated the irony of a beer named after Eliot Ness.

Ben Sweat — Palm Harbor, FL, USA

While there are Florida breweries closer to Ben’s hometown, Sailfish Brewing Company’s Flounder Pounder DIPA was my choice given his affinity for fishing.

American kids grew up with cartoons depicting the Swiss Alps being patrolled by St. Bernard dogs carrying brandy in their keg collars. Despite me knowing that the brandy was a myth, Shradi’s drink selection is Dettling Kirsh Cherry Brandy. Like the player’s goals, it is more than what was to be expected. His goals and this brandy’s taste are just the cherry on top.

Anton Tinnerholm — Linköping, Sweden

A cider I love comes from Anton’s homeland. The great thing, too, is that Kopparberg Pear Cider is easy to find here in America. The Swede’s, and other Scandinavians, know how to appreciate the summer sun, so this cider is an ideal summertime refreshment.

David Villa — Langreo, Spain

Spain offers so much to choose from in the way of wines and spirits. With David being NYCFC’s staple player and Captain, I don’t want to look any farther than a traditional Sangria. When I think of Villa, I think of him as not only an athlete, but also as a family man. He has given NYCFC so many memories to cherish. Every Spanish family seems to have their own sangria recipe that each seems to claim as the best, so grab your family and enjoy this wine and fruit mixture. Make your own recipe and family memories.

Rodney Wallace — San José, Costa Rica

While born in Costa Rica, Rodney was raised in Maryland. The state boasts some fantastic rye whiskey and Costa Rica has some of the better coffees of the world. Grab a bottle of Maryland’s ryes and some Costa Rican coffee and make a Rye Iced Coffee. Delicious and energizing.

Espresso being prepared for a cocktail in NYCFC shot glasses. Credit: Tony Larsen

Hope you enjoyed this quick list of drinks by player origin. Again, what would you choose?

Respond below or give an applause if you want to try any of these.