TOP 10 BEVERAGES IN EGYPT

Strawberries and Melons.

by Islam El Shazly

Because of its location on the Mediterranean and the crossroads between Africa and Asia, Egypt has access to a lot of fruits that might not be available in other places in the world, particularly North America. Some of these fruits are exotic by European and North American standards; while others are common everywhere. I tried to have fresh juice in Canada, and frankly it didn’t come close to what we have over here.

Below is a list of just a few of the most brilliant drinks you can find in Egypt, and believe me there is an insane amount of cocktails available to satisfy even the most demanding taste buds.

Warning! Drooling might occur.

1. Mowz bil-Laban (Banana with Milk) / Jawafa bil-Laban (Guava with Milk):

Both equally very delicious drinks that are very nice anytime of the year; Banana or Guava blended together with Milk and are served cold. It’s definitely one way to get the young ones to drink their milk.

Strawberry Juice, Mango Juice, and Gwava with Milk.

2. Strawberry Juice / Mango Juice:

They are both staples in Egyptian household, wedding and gathering and are the easiest drinks to identify. Both are sweet and refreshing.

3. Qasab(Sugarcane Juice):

A uniquely Egyptian drink, served cold it is an awesome way to keep cool in the hot summer days of Egypt. Sugarcane is planted all over the south of Egypt where temperatures and soils are perfect for it. It is a brilliant drink, and in a hot day it is the perfect natural picker-upper to get your energy back.

Sugarcane Juice. King of the hill on a hot day.

4. Karakadey (Hibiscus Juice):

Another very popular drink in Egypt is Karkadey, a juice made of the dried Hibiscus flower. The best thing about it is that you can have it cold or hot, however, the one you’re most likely to find at juice vendors would be the cold variety.

Best friends: Hibiscus on the left and Tamarind on the right.

5. Tamrhindi (Tamarind Juice):

Twin to Hibiscus, you will often find both of them being served at dinners in a lot of homes in Egypt. It is made pretty much the same way that hibiscus is made; only it is commonly served cold.

6. Qamar Al-Din (Stewed Apricot Juice)

A hit in Ramadan at every dinner table, along with Tamarind and Hibiscus they are the primary cold refreshment in Ramadan after a long day of fasting they are perfect for a boost of sugar and energy. Yummy!

7. Sobia (Coconut with Milk):

A refreshingly cool sweet drink usually found in Ramadan at almost every dinner table. Kids love it. You can also get it year round at most juice shops.

Sobia - Coconut with Milk, a hit with yungins!

8. Kharoob (Carob Juice)

Like Tamarind only a bit musky and dark and for some reason the best carob juice is found in Alexandria. It is served cold.

9. Sahlab (Orchid – Orchis Mascula):

Basically made out of dried and crushed orchis mascula, other ingredients include sesame seeds, Coconut, sugar, milk, and topped with raisins and nuts. It is very sweet and served hot, best way to warm up nice in the winter. The best Sahlab is usually found at coffee shops. You will not find it at Starbucks though.

Sahlab... Drooling definitely allowed. Photo by Aisha Yusaf.

10. Watermelon Juice / Cantaloupe Juice:
Both very refreshing drinks that are great on a hot summer day. Available when melons are in season.

Cantaloupe juice, AKA Melon juice.

All the above juices and cocktails, except for the Sahlab which is available at coffee shops, are available at every Juice parlor or shop. The above pictures were taken at Family’s Refreshments (Murattabat Al-’Aaelat) at 83 Othman Ibn Affan Street, Triumph, Heliopolis, Telephone: +2018.261.0060 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting +2018.261.0060 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.