When summer arrives, tables across Turkey are adorned with refreshing drinks. However, these beverages are not only consumed to quench thirst but also sipped as part of a cultural heritage.
Are you ready to discover 8 traditional drinks from Anatolia that bring coolness? These drinks, which are natural, nostalgic, and leave a lasting taste, will be your most natural saviors in the summer heat! 🍃🍋
🥛 1. Ayran
Ayran is one of the traditional and refreshing beverages of Turkish cuisine, prepared with yogurt, water, and optionally a pinch of salt. Usually served cold, ayran is especially preferred in the summer months for its cooling effect. Consumed alongside main dishes, this drink is also known for aiding digestion. Rich in protein, calcium, and probiotics, ayran is a healthy and natural beverage alternative. In addition to Turkey, it is also consumed in similar ways in regions such as the Middle East, the Balkans, and Central Asia.
- Origin: Traditional since the Turkic peoples of Central Asia
- Taste: Refreshing harmony of yogurt, water, and salt
- Cultural Detail: In Anatolia, it is said that “a table is incomplete without ayran.” It is especially indispensable for field workers in summer.
- Benefit: Maintains electrolyte balance, a natural probiotic.
💜 2. Basil Sherbet
Basil sherbet is a traditional and aromatic beverage made with purple basil leaves, originating from Ottoman cuisine and continuing to the present day. It is typically prepared by boiling water, sugar, lemon juice, and optionally spices such as cloves or cinnamon. The purple basil leaves give a vibrant pink-purple color during steeping and create a uniquely refreshing aroma. Served cold, this sherbet is especially preferred in summer for its cooling effect and pleasant scent. It also supports the immune system with its antioxidant properties and has a soothing effect on digestion.
- Origin: Ottoman sherbet tradition
- Taste: Lightly spiced, purple-colored, aromatic
- Cultural Detail: It is the symbolic drink of summer tables especially in Southeastern Anatolia.
- Benefit: Supports digestion, provides refreshment.
🍋 3. Unripe Grape Juice
Unripe grape juice (koruk suyu) is a sour and refreshing beverage made by crushing unripe green grapes (koruk). Commonly consumed in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions, this traditional drink is preferred in the summer months to cool down. It is usually prepared by mixing with sugar and water, but its natural sourness offers a lemonade-like flavor. Koruk juice is known for aiding digestion and has appetite-stimulating properties. It can also be used as a sauce in dishes or as a flavor enhancer in salads. With its natural composition and mildly sour taste, it is both refreshing and a healthy alternative.
- Origin: Aegean Region
- Taste: Strongly sour, mildly salty
- Cultural Detail: “Koruk” means unripe grape. Also used in salads.
- Benefit: Rich in vitamin C, has a cooling effect
🌶 4. Turnip Juice Lemonade
Turnip juice lemonade is a unique and refreshing blend created by combining şalgam (fermented turnip juice), a traditional Turkish drink, with lemonade. Bringing together sour and salty flavors, this beverage stands out for its cooling effect, especially in the summer months. The distinct sharp aroma of şalgam is balanced by the citrusy freshness of lemonade, offering a different and flavorful drinking experience. Usually served with ice, turnip juice lemonade quenches thirst while also supporting digestion. It can be prepared either spicy or non-spicy, making it a unique alternative especially for those who enjoy trying new tastes.
- Origin: Çukurova-style summer drink
- Taste: A fusion of lemon’s sourness and the spiced notes of turnip juice
- Cultural Detail: Commonly sold by street vendors in the Adana-Mersin region
- Benefit: Refreshing and aids digestion
🍒 5. Sour Cherry Syrup
Sour cherry syrup is a traditional beverage with a thick consistency and a sweet-sour flavor, prepared by boiling ripe sour cherries with sugar and water. It is especially consumed in summer by mixing it with cold water or soda as a refreshing drink. With its bright red color and distinctive fruity taste, it is loved by both children and adults. Homemade versions, free from additives, offer a natural and healthy drink alternative. It is also used to add flavor to desserts and pastries. Sour cherry syrup brings a nostalgic touch to the table with both its refreshing effect and delicious taste.
- Origin: Ottoman cuisine
- Taste: Sweet-sour balance, bright red
- Cultural Detail: A star of iftar tables, served cold during summer months
- Benefit: Antioxidant effect, naturally sweet and refreshing
🍇 6. Grape Compote
Grape compote is a traditional Turkish beverage and dessert prepared by boiling dried grapes with water and sugar. It is especially one of the staples of iftar tables and is served cold on hot summer days for a refreshing effect. Compote is a practical dessert where both the liquid is consumed as a drink and the fruit is eaten. Thanks to the dried grapes, it is a natural source of sugar and energy and is known for aiding digestion. It can be enriched with spices such as cinnamon or cloves for added aroma. Nutritious and traditional, grape compote is a homemade delight passed down through generations.
- Origin: Anatolian village cuisine
- Taste: Mild sweetness, slight cinnamon aroma
- Cultural Detail: Especially consumed to break the fast during Ramadan in hot weather
- Benefit: Provides natural energy, supports digestion
🌱 7. Mint Ayran (Gaziantep Style)
Mint ayran is a refreshing beverage that stands out especially in Gaziantep cuisine, prepared with yogurt, water, and salt, along with fresh or dried mint. In the Gaziantep style, ayran is served thick and generously topped with or mixed with dried mint. It is preferred in the summer months to cool down and is especially consumed after heavy meals to aid digestion. Mint, combined with the nutritious properties of yogurt, creates a refreshing and cooling effect. Mint ayran is both a complementary drink at the table and a healthy alternative that reflects regional flavors.
- Origin: Southeastern Anatolia
- Taste: Fresh mint leaves added to salty ayran
- Cultural Detail: In Gaziantep, ayran with plenty of mint is served alongside spicy dishes
- Benefit: Soothes the stomach, provides a feeling of freshness
🍉 8. Cold Watermelon Sherbet
Cold watermelon sherbet is a refreshing and natural beverage preferred for cooling down in the summer months. This sherbet is prepared by extracting the juice of sweet and juicy watermelon, and enriched with aromatic ingredients such as lemon juice, a small amount of sugar, and mint. Served with ice, watermelon sherbet quenches thirst and provides energy with its natural sugar content. With its eye-catching color and cooling taste, this drink offers a healthy and delicious alternative for both children and adults, especially in hot weather.
- Origin: Anatolian recipe with a modern touch
- Taste: Blends natural watermelon puree with mint and ice
- Cultural Detail: A fusion of summer fruits and the sherbet tradition
- Benefit: Replenishes hydration, cools, and provides energy
🎯 Conclusion:
Traditional beverages not only refresh during the sweltering heat of summer but also seat us at the table of the past. From the basil sherbet made by our grandmother to the compote prepared by our grandfather, every sip comes with a story.
If you want to remember the coolness that came before air conditioners this summer, invite these drinks to your table! 🍃