“The traditional Turkish drinks that are worth trying are actually quite numerous!”
Traditional Turkish drink
Yes, there are really many of them.
Besides its unique and distinctive foods, Turkish drinks are also incredibly delicious.
Don’t miss trying Turkish traditional drinks when you visit Turkey.
Sometimes, people overlook these unique beverages in Turkey and only know about Turkish tea (Çay) and Turkish coffee.
However, there are many other interesting drinks to explore.
So far, not many Indonesians have shown interest in Turkish cuisine, both food and drinks.
Turkey, however, has a diverse range of traditional foods and beverages influenced by Islamic culture, as the country has been a centre of Islamic governance in the world.
If you have plan to visit Turkey, don’t forget to try the traditional Turkish drinks. It’s worth trying.
Traditional Turkish Drinks
There are 19 traditional Turkish beverages that I will share here.
Let’s get started…
1. Cay (Turkish Tea)
The first Turkish drink I want to share is Cay.
Cay is Turkish black tea.
Turks often consume multiple cups of tea throughout the day, whether at home, work, or during social interactions.
The black tea leaves used to make Turkish tea (Çay) often come from the Black Sea region of Turkey.
Çay is traditionally served in special tea cups, known as “fincan.”
It’s common to serve tea with a small plate of sugar cubes or a sugar bowl alongside, allowing individuals to sweeten their tea according to their taste. So if you don’t like bitter taste, you can add sugar cubes to your tea.
Cay Turkish Tea: Traditional Turkish Drink
Turkish tea is commonly enjoyed throughout the day and is a symbol of hospitality.
It is a common sight in Turkish homes, workplaces, and social gatherings.
The tea is brewed in a special double teapot called a “çaydanlık,” which consists of two stacked kettles. I bought one from Turkey and I discussed about this caydanlik in “Souvenirs from Turkey”.
The lower kettle holds boiling water, and the upper one contains strong tea.
The tea is diluted with hot water from the lower kettle to achieve the desired strength before being poured into the cups.
When preparing Turkish tea (Çay), it is common to pour it into a tulip-shaped glass or cup.
If you like your tea black and get brewed stonger, you can use the term “demle”. If you don’t you can say “acik”.
You can enjoy Cay with Simit, a popular Turkish bread.
2. Türk Kahvesi (Turkish Coffee)
The second drink is Coffee.
Yes, COFFEE.
Coffee is indeed popular in Turkey.
It is very tasty!
Especially if you drink the non-sugar one.
Turkish Coffee
The flavour and quality of Turkish coffee can be influenced by various factors, including the region where the coffee beans are grown, the altitude, soil conditions, and climate.
Turks Kahvesi is a Traditional Turkish Coffee.
Turkish coffee is known for its strong and robust flavour that makes it popular among coffee lovers.
Turkish Coffee is cooked over hot coals.
Yes, Turkish coffee is traditionally served in a small cup called a “fincan.”
The preparation of Turkish coffee involves a unique and traditional process.
It is traditionally prepared using a special pot called a “cezve” or “ibrik.” The cezve is a small, long-handled pot designed for making Turkish coffee.
Turkish coffee traditionally prepared using cezve
As the coffee heats up, it starts to foam. Just before it reaches a boil, the foam is spooned into the coffee cup. The cezve is taken off the heat just before it boils over. The remaining coffee is poured into the cup over the foam.
It’s common in Turkey to enjoy Turkish coffee with a piece of Turkish delight (lokum) or other sweets on the side.
There are also other snacks.
Coffee in Turkey is ground using a grinder called Kahve Değirmeni.
This is the traditional way of serving coffee in Turkey.
Turkish drink: black and strong Turkish coffee
Turkish coffee, commonly known as Turk Kahvesi, has a bitter, strong, and intense flavour.
It’s too strong for my taste.
However, there are various options, so you can choose a lighter coffee type.
Turkish Coffee with sugar cube
Turkish coffee offers a unique and strong flavour that coffee enthusiasts often appreciate.
3. Türkish Sand Coffee
Still about Turkish coffee, there is also Turkish Sand Coffee.
Turkish sand coffee is often considered a legendary and iconic method of brewing coffee.
Turkish Sand Coffee
The unique preparation using hot sand gives it a distinct character and has become a symbol of Turkish coffee culture.
The coffee grounds, sugar, and water are mixed in the cezve and placed in hot sand for a slow and controlled brewing process.
Turkish Sand Coffee: Turkish drink
The level of heat depends on how deep you place the cezve.
Turkish Sand Coffee: Turkish drink
This brewing process results in a strong, robust coffee with a slightly smoky aroma.
Can you imagine it? Give it a try directly in Turkey if you can’t picture it 🙂
4. Ayran
Ayran is a Turkish drink made from half sheep’s milk yogurt, half water, and a little salt for flavour.
It’s a truly Turkish beverage!
And the taste is quite unique.
Can you imagine yogurt mixed with salt?
Ayran Turkish drink made from yogurt
Ayran sometimes has a foamy appearance on the surface, making it look like Cappuccino.
Besides being served in restaurants, it is also available in bottled form.
Ayran is commonly offered to guests in Turkey, and it is a standard hospitality gesture across all regions in Turkey.
When visiting someone, you’ll likely be served Ayran.
It’s widely available everywhere, and even in Turkey, McDonald’s sells Ayran!
Ayran Turkish drink
Sometimes, Ayran is also enhanced with fresh mint leaves to give it a fresher taste.
The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has declared Ayran as the national drink of Turkey.
This beverage is a source of pride for its cultural significance and historical roots in Turkish heritage.
So, don’t forget to try Ayran if you visit Turkey!
5. Boza
Another unique Turkish beverage is Boza.
It is quite legendary and well-known as a traditional Turkish drink.
Boza has been around since the time of Mesopotamia and is recognized as a body-warming beverage.
It is made from a mixture of rice, bulgur, malt, sugar, yeast, and some other ingredients, serving the purpose of providing warmth to the body.
This is how Boza looks like.
Boza Traditional Turkish Drink
Cinnamon is a common garnish for Boza. In addition to sprinkling ground cinnamon on top, some variations of Boza might also include cinnamon sticks as a decorative and flavourful element.
Its texture is thick, like pudding, and it has a sweet taste. The aroma is rich and fragrant.
Boza is not an impromptu drink, and its preparation involves a deliberate process. It requires fermentation to transform its ingredients into the final Boza beverage.
The result is a thick, sweet, and slightly tangy drink with a distinctive character.
Boza’s seller
Boza is traditionally consumed during the winter months in Turkey as it is believed to help warm the body.
It is not commonly sold during the summer.
When Boza becomes widely available, it is considered a sign that winter has arrived.
Boza is sometimes referred to as an aphrodisiac drink, and it is often sold during the night in Turkey.
Boza is widely sold in Turkey.
sometimes people also add a topping of roasted chickpeas on top,
like this…
Boza with Roasted Chickpeas on the top
There is a famous place in Istanbul, called Vefa Bozacısı, which has been selling Boza since 1876.
6. Sahlep
Next Turkish drink is Sahlep.
Sahlep, or Salep, is a traditional Turkish hot drink made from milk and the tuber of the orchid plant.
Quite interesting, isn’t it? Hahaha…
The drink has a rich and comforting texture, making it popular, especially during colder seasons. Like Boza, this beverage also warms your body.
It tastes mildly sweet, creamy, and slightly floral.
Sahlep is known for its thick and creamy consistency. The use of powdered orchid tuber, combined with milk and sugar, creates a rich and velvety texture in the drink.
Besides the orchid tuber, sahlep is also prepared with cinnamon and sugar.
Sahlep is a drink that has been around since the Ottoman era, so it is considered a legendary beverage as well.
Sahlep Traditional Turkish Drink
During the Ottoman Empire era, this drink was served as a dessert during feasts.
It’s a traditional Turkish beverage made from the tuber of the Orchis flower.
This orchid is abundant and cultivated in the eastern Anatolia region.
The flower is dried and then ground into powder for sale.
This powder is used as an ingredient in various foods, including Dondurma, Turkish ice cream.
This is Orchis mascula, the orchid flower.
Orchid flower Orchis Mascula
As I mentioned before, sahlep is known as aphrodisiac drink.
7. Kefir
The next beverage is Kefir, you’ve probably heard of Kefir before.
Kefir has been around for a long time; it’s even mentioned by Marco Polo in his book.
History suggests that the origins of kefir are from the Caucasus Mountains in the northeastern region of Turkey, known as the Cyprus drink.
Turkish Kefir making process
Travelers then carried kefir wherever they went, as they moved from one place to another in Turkey.
Kefir is made from fermented cow’s milk by adding yeast.
Tips to make Turkish Kefir
This is what kefir looks like when it’s ready to be served.
Kefir Turkish drink
Kefir contains beneficial bacteria and yeast, which may aid digestion and promote a healthy balance of gut microorganisms.
8. Raki
Raki is an alcoholic beverage. It is known by the name “Lion’s Milk.”
It is not only popular in Turkey but also well-known in the Balkan Peninsula.
The Balkans refer to the southeastern part of Europe.
Raki Traditional Turkish drink
Raki is usually served during birthdays or wedding celebrations.
Its taste is characterized by a dominant flavour of anise and is not sweet.
Anise is actually a medicinal plant or spice, known by its Latin name Pimpinella anisum.
9. Sherbet
This sherbet is made from various flowers and fruits, providing a refreshing taste.
There are flavours like lemon, pomegranate, rose, and many more.
This is sherbet.
Sherbet Turkish drink
The most delicious way to enjoy Sherbet is served cold with plenty of ice.
During the Ottoman era, Sherbet was renowned as a refreshing drink, somewhat like fruit punch.
Sometimes, it was even mixed with flower petals.
If you want to try it in an aesthetic setting, you can visit Süleymaniye Çikolatacısı, located near Istanbul University.
The ambiance of the place is reminiscent of a private chamber of the Sultan. Do you wanna drop by?
10. Salgam
Salgam is a beverage made from dark turnips or purple carrots.
It is served in large transparent glasses, usually accompanied by pickled purple carrots.
The color is clear because it is first boiled, and only the filtered juice is used. Interestingly, there is Salgam mixed with chili, giving it a spicy flavor.
It’s a unique experience, drinking a beverage that turns spicy! Salgam is often served with bread or kebabs.
Salgam Traditional Turkish Drink
It’s quite a challenge to try this drink 🙂
11. Sira
Sira is a traditional Turkish beverage made from fermented grape or apple juice.
It looks like red wine.
It has a sweet taste and is often enjoyed for its refreshing qualities.
Sira Traditional Turkish drink
The fermentation process adds a unique flavour profile to the juice, making it a popular choice for those seeking a sweet and tangy drink.
12. Tursu Suyu
Another drink is Pickle Juice (turşu suyu) and Turnip Juice (şalgam suyu).
They are usually served with Raki.
Pickled vegetables (turşu) are an essential part of Turkish culinary.
The taste is a bit weird;)
Tursu Suyu Turkish drink
This red-hued beverage is often mistaken for being made from beets but is actually crafted from red carrots and turnips.
This one is also fermented drink.
In Turkey, beverages like pickle juice and turnip juice are believed to have health benefits and are sometimes consumed to alleviate headaches and various other ailments.
These drinks are also available in bottled containers for convenience.
Pickle Juice Turkish drink
13. Pomagranate Juice
Pomegranates are widely available in Turkey. Everywhere, you will often see vendors selling pomegranate juice.
Pomegranate Juice Traditional Turkish drink
It is also available in bottle containers.
Pomegranate Juice Turkish drink
Pomegranate juice has a unique taste that is both sweet and tart. It’s known for its refreshing and slightly tangy flavour. You must try!
14. Orange Juice
Wow! This is my Turkish favourite drink!!
Turkish orange juice is typically made from real oranges!!
Orange Juice Turkish drink
It is also available in bottle containers.
Orange juice Turkish drink
It is really refreshing!!!
Turkish orange juice is also available in bottle container
15. Limonata
Limonata is a lemon-flavored drink. It has a sweet and refreshing taste, not too sour.
The preparation involves boiling the lemons along with their peels.
It is commonly sold during the summer in Turkey.
Limonata Turkish drink
16. Ihlamur
Ihlamur, known as Linden tea, is a popular herbal tea in Turkey. It is made from the flowers of the linden tree (Tilia cordata or Tilia platyphyllos).
It is believed to have various health benefits, including its potential to help with relaxation, ease cold symptoms, and promote better sleep.
Ihlamur Linder Turkish tea flower
The color of Ihlamur is bright, clear yellow, unlike Turkish tea, which tends to be red and dark.
17. Sage Tea
Adaçayı is a Turkish herbal tea made from the leaves of sage (Salvia officinalis).
It is known for its aromatic and soothing qualities.
There’s a Turkish saying that goes, “If you grow sage in your garden, it’s not necessary to die”.
Sage (Adaçayı) is commonly grown in Turkey and is considered a native plant. Many households cultivate sage in their gardens.
It’s like a homegrown medicinal plant, similar to TOGA plants in Indonesia.
Sage Tea Turkish drink
18. Rosehip Tea
Rose hips tea is an herbal tea made from the dried fruit of the rose plant, specifically from the small, red to orange, round seed pods known as rose hips. Rose hips are the fruit that develops after the rose petals fall off. They are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants.
Rosehip Tea Turkish drink
19. Apple Tea
Apple tea is indeed quite popular in Turkey. Turkish apple tea is typically a fruit infusion made with dried apple pieces and often served as a hot beverage. It has a sweet and fruity flavour, making it a favourite among locals and tourists alike.
Apple Tea Turkish drink
Turkish apple tea is commonly sold in markets, tea houses, and tourist areas in Turkey. You can but some and brew it at home.
Apple Tea Turkey Traditional Market
Traditional Turkish Drinks Review
If previously we finished discussing Turkish traditional foods, now the article about Turkish traditional drinks is also complete.
Not only are Turkish traditional foods favourites, but many Turkish traditional drinks are also favourites among tourists.
Personally, I like Turkish coffee and their orange juice the most.
Although orange juice is common, it seems to taste better in Turkey.
It’s tangy but refreshing and tolerable, even though I’m not a fan of sour flavours.
Give it a try when you visit Turkey.
Traditional Turkish Drinks
Turkey, June 29th 2019.
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