What to Drink in Turkey: Visa Guide for Travelers

Turkey is not just about big meals when it comes to food; its drinks lead you on a great trip through old times, ways of life, and lands. From the sweet teas that speak of old ways to the one-of-a-kind brewed drinks that tie you to Turkey's deep past, each sip shares a tale. If you're a new visitor or a well-traveled one, trying Turkish drinks will make you feel more in touch with Turkish ways. Want to try these cool treats? Get your Turkey eVisa now and start a trip full of taste that is waiting for you!

Experience in traditional Turkish drinks for travelers

Explore Top 9 Popular Turkish Drinks for Travelers

For many years, Turkey has sat where worlds meet. This mix of worlds can be found in many parts of Turkish life, and local drinks are no short of it. While you visit, try some old Turkish drinks for a rare chance to see this rich and sweet culture through what you drink.

1. Turkish Tea (Çay)

No trip to taste Turkish drinks is full if you don't talk about Çay, Turkey's main drink. It comes in small, tulip-like cups, and Turkish tea means more than just a drink- it opens the door to Turkish ways of being nice and having good times. Black tea leaves sit in a two-part teapot called a Çaydanlık, where hot water stays hot in the bottom and the tea soaks in the top. This makes a deep, sweet-smelling, and warm tea often had with sugar bits or a bit of fresh lemon. You must try çay when in Turkey, even though it's served all over!

Çay is one of the most popular Turkish drinks 

2. Salep (Sahlep)

Salep is a nice and sweet hot drink loved in Turkey when it's cold. It's made by grinding the root of an orchid, mixing it with hot milk and sugar, and at times, adding cinnamon. Salep feels smooth and has a great flower scent that is calming and tasty. It's a top pick for a winter treat, often served with a bit of ground cinnamon or nutmeg on top.

Salep is the best drink for those few snow days in Istanbul when had hot. While salep is known as a Turkish winter drink, it's now liked more and found all year round.

Salep is a nice and sweet hot drink loved in Turkey

3. Ayran

Ayran is a tasty and good-for-you drink from Turkey made with yogurt. It mixes yogurt, water, and a bit of salt to make a cool, sharp drink that goes well with hot or heavy food. Many love Ayran with grilled meat like kebabs, as it gives a nice contrast in taste. It's well-loved for the good gut stuff it has and is a top pick in Turkey when the weather is hot.

Kids like it a lot, and it's a great choice to try when you go to Turkey with your family.

Ayran yogurt drink – a hit with kids and adults

4. Şalgam

This drink, also called şalgam suyu, tastes a bit like earth and salt with some pickle flavor. It's a hit with those looking to feel better as it helps with digestion and raises energy.

Turnip juice, or şalgam suyu, has a taste you might get used to. It's big in southeast Turkey, mainly in Adana. This pretty purple-red drink is made from sour turnips, spices, and carrot juice. Even though it's called juice, şalgam suyu isn't very sweet. It's tasty and tangy. People often drink it with the famous Adana kebabs. It adds a special kick to the meal.

 

şalgam tastes a bit like earth and salt with some pickle flavor

5. Turkish Coffee (Türk Kahvesi)

Turkish coffee holds a key spot in Turkish ways and is a must in old coffee shop ways. Turks make this coffee with a method that goes back to the times of the Ottoman kings.

Fine coffee bits get boiled in a cezve (a small pot with a long handle) with water and sugar to make a thick and strong drink. The coffee is not strained, so the bits sit at the cup's base. To sip Turkish coffee is more than just taste; it's a full feel that puts you deep in Turkish life and past. And reading the future from coffee bits is a loved act that brings a hint of magic to this old way.

Turkish coffee is not had with food, but more so enjoyed in the late day while having a good time with friends.

Turkish coffee served alongside traditional locum

6. Şherbet 

Sherbet is an old sweet drink from the time of the Ottoman Empire. It is made by mixing sugar or honey into water and adding tastes like rose, lemon, or orange. Sherbet is usually served cold and is liked at parties and big happy times. It cools you down and comes in many tastes, making it a great drink to have on a warm day. Today, many Muslims drink sherbet to end their fast during Ramadan.

Sherbet is an old sweet drink from Ottoman Empire

7. Boza

Boza is a special drink that has been around for many years. It is made from old bulgur, sugar, and water, leading to a thick, bit sour, and low alcohol drink. Boza looks and feels unique, kind of like a mix of a drink and a pudding. It is topped with a bit of cinnamon and at times had with roasted chickpeas. Boza is well-liked in the cold months and is seen as a dear, old Turkish drink.

Boza looks and feels unique

8. Pomegranate Juice

Pomegranates stand for growth and lots; many traders have fresh pomegranate juice in Turkey! You can find pomegranate juice all over; we even found some on a long walk in Cappadocia.

Pomegranate juice is tart yet a bit sweet, making it a nice drink for hot days. Some fruit sellers might mix the pomegranate with fresh orange juice, a great mix that adds a hint of sweet to this tart classic.

Pomegranate Juice is one of the best Turkish drinks

9. Şarap (Turkish Wine)

You may be amazed to know that Turkey has one of the world's oldest wine-making ways, going back more than 4,000 years. It is thought that the Hittites were the first to make wine often, maybe as far back as 1600 BCE.

Turkish wines are made all over the country now, with most of the making in Thrace and Izmir. With over 1200 local types of grapes, Turkish wine is rich and full and great to try when you go to the country.

Some top Turkish wines are Öküzgözü, a red wine from east Anatolia, and Narince, the most seen Turkish white wine from the Black Sea area.

 

Şarap: What to Drink in Turkey for a True Wine Experience

Traditional Turkish Drinks FAQs for Travelers

What is the most popular drink in Turkey?

The most popular drink in Turkey is Turkish tea (çay). It’s a staple of Turkish culture and hospitality, enjoyed at all hours of the day and often served in tulip-shaped glasses.

What is Rakı, and why is it called "Lion's Milk"?

Rakı is Turkey’s famous alcoholic drink. It tastes like anise. When you mix it with water, it turns white, called “Lion’s Milk” (Aslan Sütü). People drink it with mezes and during long meals with friends.

Are Turkish drinks served with food?

Yes, many Turkish drinks are paired with meals. For instance:

• Ayran goes well with kebabs.
• Rakı is served with small dishes called mezes.
• Şalgam Suyu is often drunk with grilled meat.
• Turkish tea and coffee are enjoyed alone or with friends.

Are there any seasonal Turkish drinks?

Yes!

• Salep and Boza are warm drinks for winter.
• Şalgam Suyu and Ayran are cool drinks for summer and help beat the heat.

Do these drinks have any rules tied to how you should drink them?

Yes. Like, when you get Turkish tea or coffee, it’s nice to say yes. It’s a sign of good will and care. When having Rakı, folks tap their cups and stare into each other's eyes, saying “Şerefe!” which means “to honor.”

Can I ask for Turkish tea without sugar?

Absolutely. While many locals enjoy their çay with sugar cubes, you can go sugar-free if that’s your style. (Just be ready for a surprised look, followed by a polite nod. You rebel.)

Is Salep really made from orchids?

Yes! Salep is made from the powdered root of wild orchids. It's creamy, comforting, and tastes like a warm hug from nature. (No orchids were emotionally harmed in the making of this drink—probably.)

Can kids drink Boza or Şalgam?

Sure—Boza is low in alcohol and often treated more like a fermented smoothie than a drink-drink. Şalgam, however, has a bold pickled punch that might surprise young palates. (Think of it as the Turkish version of a dare: “Bet you can’t finish a whole glass!”)

Can I bring Turkish drinks back home?

Some, yes! Packaged items like bottled Şalgam, Salep powder, tea leaves, or Turkish coffee are allowed in most countries. Just check customs rules in your destination. (Warning: Bringing back rakı might raise eyebrows at the airport—especially if it leaks into your suitcase.)

Do I need to learn Turkish to order these drinks?

Not at all! A big smile and saying the drink’s name usually does the trick. Bonus points if you say “Lütfen” (please) and “Teşekkürler” (thank you). (Worst-case scenario: you point at someone else's glass and say “I’ll have what they’re having.”)

Can I find Turkish drinks outside of Turkey?

Some Turkish restaurants and international stores stock favorites like çay, Turkish coffee, and ayran. But nothing beats sipping tea at a sidewalk café in Istanbul or trying Boza in a chilly bazaar. (Trust us—it’s about the ambiance, not just the drink. And the stray cats help.)

Which Turkish drink should I try first?

Start with çay—it’s everywhere and the ultimate Turkish welcome gesture. After that, follow your cravings: go sweet with Salep or adventurous with Şalgam. (Just don’t chug your first Rakı unless you want to be the star of your own Turkish telenovela.)

Is it rude to refuse tea or coffee when offered?

Not rude, but mildly tragic. Accepting a cup is seen as a warm social gesture. (Declining politely is fine, but you might miss out on both the tea and some excellent local gossip.)