Travelers think about drinks on a trip to Egypt because the majority of Egyptians are Muslims and they do not drink alcohol! We never include drinks in the cost of a trip because we cannot predict what kind of drinks you will like or order; even water is not included. Because the cost of mineral water varies by location, we find it difficult to determine a drink price to include in the cost of a trip.
Alcoholic beverages are available at all hotels, as well as most tourist restaurants and pubs; however, finding them in a shop or purchasing them from the market is quite difficult.
Some tourists carry alcohol from home or the free stores in the airports for drinks on a trip to Egypt.
Drinks on a trip to Egypt
Prices of some drinks are averaged as below;
| ITEM | LOCAL PRICE | TOURIST PRICE |
| mineral water | 10 L.E | 20 TO 50 L.E |
| tea or coffee | 20 L.E | 50 TO 100 L.E |
| soft drinks | 20 L.E | 50 TO 100L.E |
| fresh juice | 50 L.E | 100 TO 150 L.E |
| hibiscus | 20 L.E | 50 TO 100 L.E |
You can find alcohol in designated stores across all major cities, as well as in tourist accommodations, hotels, Nile cruises, and certain restaurants and cafés.
Drinks on a trip to Egypt
- Limoon: A delicious summer cocktail made with squeezed lemon juice, water, and sugar, served over ice.
- Fresh Fruit Juices: Juice kiosks are prevalent across Egypt, providing drinks ranging from pomegranate or orange to guava or mango.
- Tea: Vendors pour strong, very sweet black tea (Shai). If you want Western-style tea, request “Shai,” which is brewed with a teabag and little or no sugar.
- Coffee: Traditional Qahwa (coffee) is a Turkish-style coffee that originated in Egypt and was brought to Turkey by the Ottomans. For Western coffee, ask for “Nescafe.” Turkish coffee gets its name from the amount of sugar added. If you want it without sugar, call it Saada; with a little sugar, Riha; sweet, Masbut; and extremely sweet, Ziada.
- Mineral Water: We recommend bottled water, which you can find throughout the country.
- Alcoholic drinks: Available in hotels, some restaurants, and Alcohol stores
Egyptian Local Drinks
- Sahlab: A hot drink created from the starch in an orchid’s pulverized bulb, combined with milk, sugar, and rosewater, and served with chopped pistachios and cinnamon.
- Karkade: A drink produced from the boiled, dried leaves of the hibiscus plant and sweetened to taste. It can be served hot or cold.
- Yansoon: Yansun is an aniseed-flavored drink that is not only delicious but also beneficial for colds and throat difficulties.
- Sugarcane Juice: People prefer sugarcane juice (Asab) over fruit juice because it costs less. Vendors crush the cane and serve it as a milky green drink.
- Egyptian Sobia Drink: You can typically find this traditional drink during Ramadan, but it is also available year-round. It resembles milk and has a unique flavor that many Egyptians enjoy.
- Khoshaf: This traditional Ramadan drink consists primarily of dry brown dates, apricots, coconuts, dried figs, and raisins.
- Helba: Vendors prepare Helba as a yellowish drink made from fenugreek.
- Belila: Belila consists of wheat and heated milk.
- Kerfa: People consume ground cinnamon as a tea, sometimes with milk.
- Qamar al-Din: Vendors make this drink from slices of Qamar al-Din (apricots), sugar, and flower water, and it is famous in Egypt. Producers select the highest-quality apricots to create it. They serve it chilled, and it is one of the characteristic drinks during the holy month of Ramadan.
- Homs Al-Sham: Homs Al-Sham is one of the most significant winter rituals, as well as the most vital hot drink since it is high in protein and helps regulate blood sugar.
You can find most of these local Egyptian drinks in the local coffee shops and restaurants during your trip to Egypt.
