In Turkish culture, drinks are an essential part of social gatherings with friends and family, as well as crowded dining tables. “Going to raki” refers to gathering with friends to dine and drink while taking in live music outdoors while sipping raki.
25 Drinks You Must Try Out in Turkey
1. Turkish Black Tea
Some of the best tea in the whole world comes from the Black Sea region of Turkey. It has a flavor that is full-bodied and creamy, making it ideal for sharing with loved ones. The hills of the area are where the tea is cultivated, giving it a distinct flavor. The tea gets its black color from sun-drying the tea leaves after they are manually harvested. After then, the tea is expertly made.
The tea has a deep, rich flavor when properly made, making it ideal for sipping on a chilly winter day.
2. Ayran
Turkish yogurt beverage known as ayran is cool and pleasant, ideal for a hot summer day.
It is typically offered as a refreshing beverage or with meals and is produced by combining yogurt, water, and salt. For those looking for a healthier alternative to sugary drinks, ayran is ideal. In Turkey, ayran is frequently made with handmade Turkish yogurt, which gives it a somewhat sour flavor. The beverage is a wonderful source of calcium and protein and is low in calories and fat.
3. Turkish Coffee
Very finely ground coffee beans are used to make Turkish coffee. Coffee is prepared in a cezve pot and served in fincan, which are miniature cups. The coffee is very finely ground before being combined with the water and sugar in a cezve and is slowly boiled on low heat until it creates a thick, creamy foam. The coffee is poured into fincans and then served with water on the side after the foam has been separated.
4. Şalgam Juice
A common fermented beverage in Turkey and the surrounding nations is called “algam.” It is created with black carrots and turnips that have been peeled, sliced, and then allowed to ferment in a solution of water and lemon salt. The end product has a strong umami flavor and is mildly sour and salty. It is available in spicy and non-hot varieties. This delicious and nourishing beverage is typically served with kebabs. It makes a great side dish for supper.
5. Salep
A Turkish beverage called salep is prepared from orchid roots. The salep powder is formed from the tubers in the roots of the plant, which are cooked and then dried in the sun. It is typically served hot and is especially well-liked in the winter. Turkish salep is a tasty and healthy beverage with numerous advantages. After drying, they are ground into a powder. On a chilly winter day, it is the ideal way to warm yourself and will undoubtedly make you feel revitalized.
6. Boza
A fermented beverage called Turkish boza is manufactured from wheat, barley, millet, or maize. Boza is a year-round food option but is still most frequently consumed in the winter. It has a thick, creamy consistency and a mildly sour flavor. In Istanbul and Eskişehir, it is offered with cinnamon or yellow-roasted chickpeas. Boza is a wholesome beverage that is rich in vitamins and protein.
7. Sherbet
A cool beverage called Turkish sherbet is produced in Turkey from fruit, herb leaves, water, and sugar. It is frequently served cold and is a favorite during the blistering heat. Turkish sherbets include components like orange flower and rose petals. Turkish sherbet is a calorie-free and natural beverage alternative that is prepared from natural components.
It is also a hydrating beverage, which is important in the summer when we are more susceptible to being dehydrated. Reyhan şerbeti is a traditional Turkish beverage produced from the leaves of the purple basil plant known as “reyhan,” making it one of the most popular sherbets. It has a pink hue and an extremely sweet flavor.
8. Raki
A traditional Turkish alcoholic drink called raki is produced from anise and grapes. Raki is a distilled beverage with approximately 40% alcohol by volume and is normally sipped diluted with water in tall, thin glasses. It is frequently referred to as “the national drink of Turkey.” Its clear tint changes to a milky white when combined with water, earning it the moniker “lion’s milk.” Raki is a potent beverage, so it’s important to take it slowly. People frequently leave raki tables feeling lightheaded and wobbly on their feet.
9. Oküzgözü
Dark-skinned red Oküzgözü grapes are used to make the ruby-colored wine, which is a native of Anatolia in Turkey. Oküzgözü is frequently contrasted with traditional Pinot Noir because of its fruity undertones of raspberry, cherry, and light traces of mint.
10. Narince
In Turkey, Narince is the most common variety of white wine. The majority of the country’s Narince vineyards are located in Turkey’s Tokat province in the Anatolia area. The aromas in Narince wines range from floral and herbaceous overtones with basil to touches of citrus, lime, and grapefruit. Because of their distinctive flavor profile, Narince wines stand out among Turkish white wines and go well with a variety of foods.
11. Emir
Emir, a light-skinned white wine grape that is one of Anatolia’s major wine types, rose to fame during the Roman era when the wine was favored on the dinner tables of the Roman elite. Since Emir wines are delicate and still, they don’t pair well with wood and are made to be consumed quickly. The grape’s high acidity and the soil’s abundance of minerals in the area make it a great choice for making opulent sparkling wines.
12. Turkish Fermented Dairy Drink (Kefir)
Similar to yogurt, kefir is a form of fermented milk. Most of it is from the North Caucasus (North Turkey, Armenia, and Georgia). Cattle milk is the major component of the beverage, combined with Kefir grains, a concoction of yeast and bacteria.
13. Elma Cayi
Apple tea is quite well-liked in Cyprus’s northern area. Instead of tea leaves, the beverage’s primary ingredient is dried apples. This beverage is frequently served with sugar cubes in Turkey.
14. Shira
Shira is a crimson beverage prepared from slightly fermented grape or apple juice. The high fructose content of this beverage gives it a sweet flavor. Of course, this beverage will taste quite sour if the fermentation process is prolonged.
15. Tursu Suyu
If you visit Istanbul’s Eminonu Beach and then head back to your hotel after dining on a tasty fish at one of the nearby eateries, you will regrettably have missed the opportunity to enjoy a delicious juice. A salty and sour fruit juice known as “Torshu Soy” is created from pickled vegetables like beets, carrots, onions, peppers, and garlic.
16. Turkish Delight
The drink is named after a well-known Turkish dessert dish made of gelatin and sugar. The flavor is equally remarkable. Although the syrup’s sweetness is apparent, the gin and the Creme de Cacao both have a little kick (a type of chocolate liqueur). The egg white gives the entire beverage a little amount of richness.
17. Turkish Delight Martini
The country’s beloved sweet treat, Turkish Delight, served as the inspiration for the Turkish Delight Martini, which perfectly complemented Turkish Delight’s delicacy and flavor. A romantic activity on an evening adventure in Turkey is to sip on a Turkish Delight Martini after sunset. This cocktail is made with lemon juice, egg white, grenadine, rose water, sugar, gin, and icing sugar as a garnish.
18. Turkish Screwdriver
The Turkish Screwdriver, a famous drink in bars all throughout Ankara and Istanbul since it first debuted in the cities in 1943, was created during World War II when American soldiers in Turkey blended natural spirits like vodka with orange juice. In Turkey, there are many different ways to make the Turkish Screwdriver; some recipes ask for a combination of gin and vodka, while others call for bitters, cognac, as well as orange juice, and vodka.
19. Hot Bunny
The Hot Bunny cocktail, which is made with raki, combines this Turkish liqueur with pomegranate liqueur to produce a cool beverage that may be relished at any time of day. An exotic Turkish drink is created by combining raki, anise, and juicy pomegranate.
20. Turkish Lemonade
Turkish lemonade, also known as limonata, is the familiar and beloved lemonade we all know and love with a dash of extra Turkish flair. Turkish lemonade is significantly sweeter than conventional lemonade since it is made by peeling lemons and combining lemon extract with sugar and water. Turkish lemonade is the perfect beverage to cool off in the scorching Turkish summers because it is straightforward yet pleasant.
21. Pomegranate Tea
As a health beverage, pomegranate tea is highly well-liked in Turkey. Pomegranates alone are packed with nutrients. In addition, eating pomegranates or foods related to them will strengthen your heart and lower your blood pressure. You can sweeten the beverage by including honey or sugar.
22. Kurdish Coffee
This kind of coffee is also known as menengic or pistachio coffee. Roasters produce this from the ground roasted terebinth fruits rather than conventional coffee beans. Because of its pistachio resemblance, this fruit is often known as “pistachio coffee.” In areas where the Kurdish population is concentrated, like Diyarbakr, Adyaman, and Mardin, coffee itself is particularly well-liked.
23. Turkey Beer
One name must always appear on any list of the most well-known alcoholic beverages in Turkey, and that name is Efes Pilsen. It comes from the renowned Efes Beverage Group, the world’s 11th-largest brewer. The Efes Pilsen has a fairly delicate flavor yet still has the crisp, lager impression that most beers have. Beginners can consume the beer with ease.
24. Uludağ Gazoz
Even while Uluda Gazoz is less well-known than other carbonated beverages, it is still quite iconic in its own right. More than 30 different nations throughout the world sell the beverage. It is a kind of carbonated beverage with a lemon flavor, just like Sprite and 7-Up. The beverage originally appeared in 1930, over a century ago. The drink’s originator, Erbak-Uluda “çecek A.,” claims to have kept the recipe a secret for four generations. However, the company did disclose that they created the beverage with sugar from sugar beets and water from the Uluda region. Due to its curved appearance, the bottle is also a recognizable component of the beverage.
25. Turkish Coca-Cola
The Coca-Cola Company must alter the flavor of its beverage in other nations. This is due to two factors: First, domestic legislation requires that the sugar concentration be lower; second, cultural preferences vary. To experience the difference, bring a bottle of Turkish Coca-Cola with you when you travel to Turkey. In this instance, you will discover that the Turkish version is significantly sweeter due to the absence of a sugary drink tax in Turkey.
Conclusion
So these were the top 25 Turkish drinks we bet you can’t wait to try. From herbal to alcoholic to traditional, it’s time to sip on some Turkish goodness!
