Delicious Moroccan Drinks That You Must Try On Your Next Trip to Morocco

Have you ever wondered what the most traditional Moroccan drinks are? Before traveling to Morocco last month, I didn’t really know what to expect from drinking in Morocco other than their famous mint tea. It took me three weeks to travel around Morocco to learn about the local culture, which includes food and drinks. And this is how this article, about what to drink in Morocco was born. I will tell you about my favourite Moroccan drinks, as well as some surprising finds which you may not guess are associated with Morocco.

Drinking in Morocco

Most traditional Moroccan drinks are non-alcoholic, which isn’t that surprising, as most of the country is Muslim. No matter where you go, you will be greeted with Moroccan whiskey, as the mint tea is often referred to. Other great drinks you’ll find in Morocco are the fruit juices. From the humble freshly squeezed orange or pomegranate juice to delicious combinations of fruit smoothies, Moroccan juice sellers make them all. A large cup of freshly made fruit juice in Jamaa el Fna Square costs no more than 20 dirhams (£1.20). They usually approach with half cups of different flavoured juice as taster, this is how sellers are convincing you to buy from them.

Having Alcohol in Morocco

Morocco is a Muslim country, therefore alcohol consumption is frowned upon but not illegal. Morocco does allow the consumption of alcohol in hotels and some restaurants, and you can also find it sold in big supermarkets such as Carrefour, in separate rooms called “Le Cave”.

Morocco even produces its own wine and beer, which you can find to order in fancier restaurants. Most of the restaurants I have been to during my three weeks in Morocco didn’t serve alcohol. The ones that did, were on the expensive side.

Most hotels allow guests to consume their own bought alcohol in the communal areas or by the pool. The only places where we were told that consuming alcohol was disrespectful to the hosts, was on the homestay, in the Atlas Mountains. I didn’t really drank alcohol during my trip to Morocco, but most of the other travellers I was with had it most evenings, so I could observe and ask questions about it.

The price of alcohol are not as high as you may think. After visiting Egypt in spring last year, I thought the alcohol situation was similar, meaning very hard to find and very expensive, but that was not the case. A can of Moroccan beer costs around 15 dirhams (£1.20) in the supermarket and between 40-60 dirhams (£3.20 – £4.80) in a restaurant. Moroccan wine costs between 70-100 dirhams (£5.60 – £8) in the supermarket, and around 200-250 dirhams (£16 – £20) in a restaurant. There are more expensive options, depending on what wine you choose. You can also find plenty of French wine as well, which I recommend as I wasn’t very impressed with tasting the local one.

You should be aware that during the Ramadan, only very few restaurants will still serve alcohol. Also, if you want to buy any at the supermarket, you will need your passport with you. It may be that some supermarkets won’t be selling alcohol at all.

Traditional Moroccan Drinks:

Moroccan Mint Tea

There is an art in making Moroccan Mint Tea, which I can easily say that it is the national drink of Morocco. I have tried delightful Moroccan Mint Tea that warmed my soul, but also some pretty bitter ones during my trip to Morocco. I have also learned that the more love you put into making the tea, the better it tastes. And there is some science and effort in this love as well. The base of this delicious Moroccan drink is actually green tea, which is cleansed inside the pot, then the water discarded. After three rinses, sugar and a generous amount of fresh mint leaves go in, infusing the tea with that sweet, fresh flavour.

Pouring Moroccan mint tea is in itself, an art. You start pouring by holding the teapot above the glass, raising it higher and higher until the liquid starts to form bubbles. The glasses are never filled to the brim.

A good Moroccan mint tea tastes sweet but it’s also refreshing at the same time.

In a restaurant or in a cafe, a pot of mint tea for one person costs 15 dirhams (£1.20).

Khoudenjal Tea

Another Moroccan tea, not as famous as the classic mint one, is the Khoudenjal. This is a tea based on galangal and spiced with cinnamon, cardamon, nutmeg, ginger, star anise, black pepper, and cloves. It is a winter warmer, mostly sold in the markets of the medina rather than in restaurants or cafes.

Raib

Raib is a very light type of yoghurt sold around the snack shops in Morocco. It has a very creamy texture and it is sweet. Sometimes, raib is flavoured with orange blossom or rose water, and topped with pomegranate syrup or fresh fruits. Raib is usually a breakfast drink, or at Iftar, during the Ramadan.

Pomegranate Juice

Besides oranges and clementines, pomegranate is one of the most popular fruits in Morocco. The best season to try the pomegranate juice in Morocco is between September and December, when the fruit gets ripe.

There are a lot of street vendors making and selling fresh pomegranate juice right in front of you, as you order. There are no chemicals going into this juice, only squeezed pomegranate seeds. The juice is sweet and tastes delicious.

Pomegranates are considered to be a superfruit because they are high in vitamin C, potassium and fibre. They also have anti-inflammatory properties and plenty of antioxidants. Whilst we are paying premium prices for pomegranates, in Morocco a glass of juice, made from 3-4 fruits, costs between 10-20 dirhams (£0.80 – £1.60).

Fresh Orange Juice

Another delicious freshly squeezed juice that you can buy in Morocco is orange based. The oranges in Morocco are very sweet and make a great juice when squeezed. This is a juice that I found mostly in restaurants and cafes rather than at the street food stalls.

Avocado Smoothie

Another typical Moroccan drink is the avocado smoothie. It is made with plenty of avocados, almonds, and sugar, mixed in a blender with milk until smooth. Whilst I am lactose intolerant and I wasn’t able to try it, I trust the other participants of the food tour I took in Marrakesh. They said it was delicious.

The Avocado smoothie is usually served alongside traditional Moroccan cookies, in snack shops. It is also a drink that breaks the fast, during Ramadan.

Cucumber Salad

You may wonder why there is a salad in an article about Moroccan drinks. Well, it’s because this salad is more like a drink rather than a salad. It’s sweet but at the same time very refreshing. This is a Moroccan recipe to cool down in the hot summers of Marrakech, when the temperature goes over 40 degrees.

The cucumber salad is served in a bowl alongside a spoon, but you may as well drink it. It is made from grated cucumber, orange or lemon juice, sugar, and the magic ingredient that brings the flavour together, the orange blossom water.

Nous Nous, or Moroccan Coffee

Morocco is not big on drinking coffee, but there are plenty of places that have espresso machines and can make a good brew. During our tour around Morocco, the guide always stopped for breaks at places with professional coffee machines.

Nous Nous is the most popular coffee in Morocco. It means half an half, so when you order nous nous expect to receive a cup filled half with milk and half with coffee. This is a coffee that is usually ordered by women, after a relaxing hammam session.

Hot Lemon, Honey and Ginger

During my trip to Morocco I was suffering with a terrible cough that didn’t seem to go away, no matter what I did. One of the natural remedies I loved having was the hot lemon, honey and ginger from Cafe Clock, both in Marrakech and in Chefchaouen.

This Moroccan drink was exactly as advertised:  a hot drink made from mixing squeezed lemon slices, honey and ginger with hot water. I could feel the ginger soothing my throat from the first sip.

Flag Spéciale Beer

Morocco produces three major beer brands, and Flag is the most popular of them all. Flag Spéciale  is a light pilsner which does its job when it’s very hot and you want to cool down. It has a mild taste but it’s refreshing.

Sahara Beer

For the time I spent in the Sahara Desert, I bought a couple of cans of Sahara beer, to fit the occasion. This beer has a high alcohol content for a beer, 5.2%. This is a beer made in Spain but exported to Morocco. It tastes hoppier than Flag.

Local Moroccan Wine

Most Moroccan wines are produced in the North of the country, from near Meknes, at the foothills of the Middle Atlas Mountains. Most of the wine produced in Morocco is red, with over 85% of the total. White wine only has 3% of the market, the rest being rose and vin gris.

From what I have tasted, I wasn’t impressed with Moroccan wine. I thought the red wine was too acidic and quite harsh. There was only one white that I tasted and liked, the Medallion, and this was chosen by a sommelier in training.   

Fig Liquor

The Moroccan fig liquor is often spoken of as the local eau-de-vie. I didn’t see it in the liquor store, but our guide mentioned it and said to try it if we ever come across it.

Fig liquor has an alcohol level of 80% and it is made from a mix of figs and herbs which are left to ferment. This Moroccan drink is often associated with the Moroccan Jewish community who is believed to have invented it.

The fig liquor tastes similar to grappa, and has a strong aniseed flavour.

Conclusion 

Moroccan traditional drinks have been an integral part of their culture for centuries. From refreshing fruit juices to creamy milk-based beverages, these drinks provide locals and visitors alike with a unique way to experience the country’s vibrant flavors while connecting with its rich history. Not only do they offer respite from scorching summer days but also provide a much needed boost during cold winter months!

For more articles about Morocco, check out below:

• Traditional Moroccan Food
• The Best Restaurants in Essaouira
• The best things to do in Essaouira
• A 10 days in Morocco itinerary for first time visitors

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