Top 25 Egyptian Drinks

While fresh juices are commonly available in Egypt, especially in Cairo, almost every street has a tiny stall offering freshly pressed juice of mango, orange, strawberries, or carrots. Let’s sample Top 25 Egyptian Drinks that can be found throughout the streets of Cairo, from small specialty shops to cafes and large restaurants.

1. Sugarcane Juice

Egyptian Aseer Asab, or sugarcane juice, is a famous drink in Egypt. Egyptians are well known for their love of sweet delights, and this drink is available everywhere on the streets in specialty fresh-juice shops. The juice is extracted in a unique machine right before your eyes and is served immediately. Despite being a cup of pure sugar, sugarcane juice actually offers several health benefits.

The sugarcane juice is produced by pressing a sugarcane stalk through a specialized machine. The juice has a muted green color and may appear slightly unappealing, but its sweet flavor compensates for its look. This juice is found all over Egypt in cafes, restaurants, and street stalls.

Moreover, sugarcane juice helps prevent cancer, fights dehydration, supports better kidney function, and generally maintains liver health.

2. Hibiscus tea

Karkade, or hibiscus tea, is a traditional drink that can be enjoyed at any cafe in any city. During Hurghada tours or Sharm el-Sheikh tours, local vendors at souvenir shops often offer it to you for free as a gesture of hospitality. It can be served cold on a hot summer day or hot on a chilly winter evening. The way the drink is prepared can affect its impact, as karkade is known to either raise or lower blood pressure. The best karkade is, of course, in Aswan, since the plant originates from that region and the locals know how to make it perfectly.

3. Sahlab

Sahlab is a winter drink. You will usually find it in cafes during the winter, allowing you to warm up on chilly evenings in Cairo or Alexandria. This drink is made from hot milk mixed with some cornstarch and garnished with nuts, coconut, and raisins.

4. Lemonade

Lemonade is one of the most favorite drinks in restaurants and cafes in Egypt. Made from freshly squeezed lemon with some sugar, it is a perfect refreshment on a hot summer day. Try it with mint syrup or fresh mint to enjoy a different flavor. Lamoon bel nana, as locals call it, is also a very healthy drink. In winter, you can have it hot, which helps you stay healthy, preventing flu or cough.

5. Cocktail juice

Cocktail juice or fruit cocktail is not really a drink, as it does not have much water, but rather a “bowl” of fruit salad! Made from seasonal fruits, it makes a healthy breakfast. The most delicious one is a mix of mango, guava, strawberry juice, and some bananas. There are many types of cocktails, so you can always pick the one you like the most.

6. Pickle Juice

Pickle juice, also known as Torshi or Mekhalel juice, might seem like a strange drink. It’s not available all year, and you can only find it at certain times.

During Ramadan, this mahalel drink is sold everywhere on the streets of Cairo. Egyptians usually drink it before iftar in this month.

7. Hummus Sham

Hummus Sham is a chickpea drink, also called Halabisa in Egypt. It is another unusual and spicy Egyptian drink you can try. Egyptians enjoy drinking it on cold winter nights.

The drink is made from dried chickpeas that are soaked in water with a little baking powder overnight, then boiled. Lime juice, hot chili, and tomato are added afterward.

It can be served warm or cold.

8. Dates with milk

This is another Ramadan drink that Egyptians like to have before iftar. They usually make it at home, and it’s best when left overnight. You only need some milk and dried dates, which are sold everywhere in Cairo during Ramadan. The longer the dates stay in the milk, the better the flavor becomes, as the milk takes on the taste of the dates.

Today, some large dairy companies also make this drink, called “Milk with Dates,” so you can find it even outside Ramadan. You can look for it in big supermarkets, especially products from Dina Farms in the dairy section.

9. Concentrated juice

Concentrated juice or syrup drinks are popular in Egypt, and people prepare them for many occasions. They are also among the most common drinks sold in juice shops, but not usually in cafés. They are mostly made from artificial powder, although Tamer Hindy can also be made from dried fruit.

10. Sobia

Sobia is a very popular and tasty drink in Egypt. It is made with coconut milk and is very refreshing when served cold and sweet. You can buy it in bottles or get it fresh from juice shops or cafés. This drink is also very popular during Ramadan, especially for breaking the fast.

11. Tamarind drink

It is like Sobia, but instead of mixing the powder with milk, you mix it with water. Keep in mind that juice shops usually use tap water, not bottled. The drink has a nice sour taste, so adding some sugar makes it better. Drink it cold, and you will enjoy it. If it is made from dried fruit, the taste is completely different.

12. Carob drink

Carob, also called Kharoub, is a traditional Egyptian drink, mostly made during Ramadan. It comes from a local plant called Kharub, which is part of the bean family.

To make it, you need:2 cups of sugar,2 kg of dried carob,2 liters of water.Soak the carob in water for 2 hours. Then, boil it on high heat. While boiling, add the sugar and stir well. Strain the drink and put it in the fridge until cold. Drink it chilled.

Benefits: It can lower cholesterol, help heart health, control blood pressure, and support the body’s resistance to cancer. Avoid drinking too much during pregnancy.

13. Mowz bil-Laban / Jawafa bil-Laban

Bananas are easy to find in Egypt, and they are often used to make tasty smoothies, especially in summer. Mowz bil-Laban (banana with milk) and Jawafa bil-Laban (guava with milk) are popular Egyptian drinks. The fruits are blended with milk and sugar (optional) to make a delicious drink. For the guava drink, the seeds are removed before blending.

14. Strawberry Juice / Mango Juice

Strawberry and mango juices are available all year and can be found everywhere in Egypt. This common drink is also served at weddings and cultural events. Because the fruits are easy to get and the juice is simple to make, it is very popular. It tastes best when served cold and is one of the most refreshing drinks in the country.

15. Qamar Al-Din

This is apricot juice, made from dried apricot paste. It is a traditional drink, mostly served during Ramadan to break the fast. Apricots are healthy, so the drink gives quick energy, strength, and helps calm the nerves. The name means moon of religion. It is a popular drink across the Middle East, especially in Syria and Egypt.

16. Watermelon Juice / Cantaloupe Juice

Both very refreshing drinks that are great on a hot summer day. Available when melons are in season.

17. Yansoon

Yansun is a drink flavored with anise. People drink it for its strong taste, and it is also good for colds and sore throats.

18. Fresh Fruit Juices

Juice shops are everywhere in Egypt. They sell juices like pomegranate, orange, guava, and mango.

19. Tea

In Egypt, tea is more than just a drink because people really love it. The tradition came from the Arab world and is part of Egyptian culture, showing their lifestyle, food habits, and way of serving drinks. Egyptians enjoy their tea with care and attention. There are many types of tea, but the most popular is Shay bil Na’na (mint tea), which is served in almost every Egyptian home.

20. Coffee

Talking about hot beverages, nothing can beat the traditional Qahwa or the famous Turkish style coffee. Served with an enormous portion of sugar, there are variations of this beverage in terms of its sweetness. Saada is when you want it without any sugar, Riha is a little bit of sugar, Masbut is a notch more in sweetness, and if you want it served at its best, go blindly for Ziada.

21. Mineral Water

Drinking bottled water is recommended. Available throughout the country.

22. The Khoshaf

It is a typical Ramadan drink made from figs, raisins, and dates.

23. Helba

Helba is a yellowish drink made from fenugreek, a plant whose seeds are used a lot in Egyptian food and traditional drinks. In Egypt, people make helba drink by soaking or boiling the seeds in water or milk. It tastes a little bitter but has a strong, nutty flavor. People often drink it for health benefits, like helping digestion, controlling blood sugar, and increasing milk for breastfeeding mothers.

24. Kerfa

Ground cinnamon served as a tea, sometimes accompanied by milk.

25. Fayroz

One of the most special drinks in Egypt is Fayrouz. It is made from malt, real fruit, and sparkling water and is served cold. This refreshing drink comes in flavors like Apple, Peach, Pear, and Pineapple, and no artificial flavors or preservatives are added. The taste is different from other drinks and has a natural flavor that stays on your taste buds for a long time.

What are some of the most common fresh juices you can find on the streets of Cairo?

Fresh Fruit juices like pomegranate, orange, guava, and mango.

Why is sugarcane juice (Aseer Asab) so popular in Egypt?

Egyptians are well known for their love of sweet delights, and this drink is available everywhere on the streets in specialty fresh-juice shops Moreover, sugarcane juice helps prevent cancer, fights dehydration, supports better kidney function, and generally maintains liver health.

What makes cocktail juice different from other juices?

There are many types of cocktails, so you can always pick the one you like the most.Cocktail juice or fruit cocktail is not really a drink, as it does not have much water, but rather a “bowl” of fruit salad! Made from seasonal fruits

Why do Egyptians prefer Sahlab especially in winter?

Sahlab is a winter drink. You will usually find it in cafes during the winter, allowing you to warm up on chilly evenings in Cairo or Alexandria. This drink is made from hot milk mixed with some cornstarch and garnished with nuts, coconut, and raisins.

What are the benefits of Yansoon?

It is good for colds and sore throats ,aids digestion,and may boost the immune system.

What fruits are used to make Khoshaf?

It is a typical Ramadan drink made from figs, raisins, and dates.

How is coffee usually served?

Served with an enormous portion of sugar, there are variations of this beverage in terms of its sweetness. Saada is when you want it without any sugar, Riha is a little bit of sugar, Masbut is a notch more in sweetness, and if you want it served at its best, go blindly for Ziada.

What are the most favorite drinks in restaurants and cafes in Egypt?

Lemonade is one of the most favorite drinks in restaurants and cafes in Egypt. Made from freshly squeezed lemon with some sugar, it is a perfect refreshment on a hot summer day. Try it with mint syrup or fresh mint to enjoy a different flavor. Lamoon bel nana, as locals call it, is also a very healthy drink. In winter, you can have it hot, which helps you stay healthy, preventing flu or cough.