Explore Türkiye’s many signature drinks that offer distinctive flavors, deep history, and a culinary experience not to be missed during your trip.
Turkey, with its incredible cultural and historical richness, is not only famous for its beautiful scenery and architectural heritage, but also for its variety of mouth-watering traditional drinks.
Each Turkish drink has its own uniqueness, whether it is in the ingredients used, the way it is served, or the history behind it.
These drinks are an important part of Turkish social life, both in casual gatherings and in family traditions. If you want to have an authentic culinary experience, here are 10 typical Turkish drinks that you must try.
1. Sherbet
Sherbet is a traditional sweet drink made from fruits or flower petals, often mixed with water and a few spices.
In Turkey, sherbet is especially popular during the summer, serving as a natural refreshment. Flavors range from refreshingly tart lemon to fragrant rose, to sweet pomegranate and raspberry.
The drink has a long history in many Middle Eastern countries, and in Turkey, sherbet is often served on special occasions or celebrations.
Its refreshing taste makes it perfect to drink on a hot day. As part of Typical Turkish Food, sherbet is a beloved traditional beverage that complements many Turkish dishes.
2. Ayran
Ayran is a very iconic drink in Türkiye, made from yogurt, water and a pinch of salt. The refreshing taste is very tempting, and this drink is very popular especially in summer.
Ayran is often enjoyed with kebabs or other spicy foods, due to its soothing and mouth-freshening properties.
While you can find it packaged in many shops, traditional Ayran served with lots of foam from rural Turkish taverns is a different and more authentic experience.
3. Tursu Suyu
Tursu Suyu is a fermented drink made from water soaked in pickled vegetables, such as beets, carrots, onions, peppers, and garlic.
This drink has a salty and sour taste, providing freshness after a heavy meal. Tursu Suyu is very popular in Türkiye and is often enjoyed at meal times, especially when accompanied by spicy foods.
Its unique taste may come as a surprise to first-timers, but it is one signature drink that offers a distinct taste experience.
4. Shira
Shira is a sweet drink made from fermented grape or apple juice. Reddish in color, shira has a mild sweetness, but can become slightly sour if fermented for longer. It is often enjoyed in the summer and is perfect to accompany heavy meals such as meat.
In Turkey, shira is seen as a refreshing and natural traditional drink, providing a refreshing taste that comes from the local fruits used in its preparation.
5. Salgam
Salgam is quite a unique drink, with a taste that combines sour and spicy. Made from fermented carrot juice along with turnips and bulgur, Salgam provides a sharp and refreshing sensation.
This drink is often served cold and is very popular in the southern regions of Türkiye. With its high vitamin C content, Salgam is also known for its health benefits.
This drink is usually consumed with meat-based dishes, such as kebabs, which enriches your culinary experience.
6. Turkish Tea (Çay)
Turkish tea, or Çay, is a very important drink in the daily lives of Turkish people. Known for its thickness, this tea has a stronger and more intense flavor than regular tea.
Turkish tea is brewed in a unique way using two pots, which allows the tea leaves to steep at a very high temperature. This tea is usually served in small cups without added sugar, although some people add it to taste.
Drinking tea is a huge social tradition in Türkiye, often enjoyed with friends or family in a relaxed atmosphere.
7. Sahlep
Sahlep is a rich and thick traditional Turkish drink made from tuber flour which gives it a creamy texture. This drink is very popular during the winter due to its warming properties.
Sahlep has a sweet and creamy taste, and is often modified with the addition of chocolate to create a richer taste.
With a history that dates back to the Ottoman Empire, sahlep remains a favorite drink in Turkey, especially in the winter, to provide warmth and comfort.
8. Boza
Boza is a traditional Turkish fermented drink made from fermented wheat. Sweet and slightly sour with a savory touch from the chickpeas it is served on top of, boza is usually served warm, making it a great choice for fall and winter.
Its slightly tangy flavor and thick texture give it a very different sensation. Boza is a highly valued drink in Türkiye, often found in traditional taverns, and is part of a culinary culture that has existed since ancient times.
9. Türk Kahvesi (Turkish Coffee )
Turkish coffee, or Türk Kahvesi, is a drink that has been around since the Ottoman era and is an integral part of Turkish social tradition. Made by grinding very fine coffee beans, it is brewed in a copper pot called a cezve.
Turkish coffee is known for its strong, strong bitter taste. This drink is usually served in small cups, and is often accompanied by Lokum, a type of candy, to balance the bitter taste.
Enjoying Turkish coffee is not just about the taste, but also a social experience involving conversation and relationships between people.
10. Lemon
Limonata is the Turkish version of lemon water that is very popular, especially in the summer. What makes Turkish Limonata different is the unique way it is made, by infusing lemon peels in a mixture of water and sugar.
This process gives it a more complex and rich taste compared to regular limonata. In addition, Turkish Limonata provides a refreshing sensation that is perfect to enjoy in hot weather.
Although easy to make at home, Limonata remains a highly sought-after drink throughout Türkiye, due to its refreshing deliciousness.
Typical Turkish drinks are not just thirst quenchers, they are also part of rich tradition and culture. From strong teas and historic coffees to refreshing and rich sweet drinks, Turkey offers a variety of drinks to suit anyone’s taste.
Many of these beverages also make for Typical Turkish Souvenirs, perfect for bringing a taste of Turkey back home. Every sip brings you closer to Türkiye’s deep cultural heritage while providing an unforgettable taste experience.
So, if you visit Turkey or want to try its unique flavors at home, make sure to try some of the 10 typical Turkish drinks mentioned above and enjoy a unique culinary experience.
