It is no coincidence that Egypt is called a modern all-Russian health resort. The country annually receives tens of thousands of tourists, offering not only excellent opportunities for a beach holiday, exciting diving, an educational excursion program, but also acquaintance with the thousand-year-old traditions in the field of culinary and winemaking. Egyptian drinks - alcoholic or non-alcoholic - are an invariable attribute of any daily and festive meal.

Alcohol of egypt

Countries with Muslim religious traditions are characterized by some restrictions in circulation alcoholic beverages... Egypt is no exception, and therefore it is worth avoiding drinking on the streets and in public places. It is allowed to import into the country no more than a liter strong alcohol for each guest, and export customs regulations Egypt is not regulated. However, Egyptian alcohol is not the most popular souvenir for friends and colleagues who are bored at home, unless there are true collectors and connoisseurs among them. For them, you can buy red wine "Pharaoh" or white - "Nefertiti", which are highly appreciated by sommeliers. The issue price does not exceed 8 euros (as of the end of 2013).

National drink of Egypt

In addition to the pyramids and papyri in the land of the pharaohs, there is another attraction, which you can get acquainted with anywhere, starting with a cafe at the airport. The main national drink of Egypt is undoubtedly the hibiscus tea made from hibiscus flowers. Otherwise called the Sudanese rose, this plant gives the Egyptians the main drink that saves from thirst in the heat, gives strength, contains a whole bunch of vitamins and useful medicinal properties and is revered by many generations of the descendants of the pharaohs. The main medicinal effects of karkade are well known to every lover of it:

• Tea strengthens blood vessels, making their wall less permeable.
• Carcade contains antioxidants and slows down the aging process.
• Decoction Sudanese rose helps to reduce fever and has an antispasmodic effect.
• A large number of vitamin C in hibiscus petals allows you to use the drink as a preventive and immunomodulating agent.

Egyptians offer guests two options for karkade - hot and cold, and the amount of sugar can vary depending on the guest's preference.

Alcoholic drinks of Egypt

The best alcoholic drinks of Egypt can be tasted even at “ buffet»In every hotel, and even going out to the city and having dinner in one of the restaurants of any resort in the country will become an exciting and memorable event for any traveler.

If you decide, then you just need to know that as a predominantly Muslim country, Egypt values ​​little alcohol. Mostly they drink tea, coffee, fruit juices and well-known carbonated drinks. Perhaps it will change your attitude to tea and it will become for you the same favorite drink as for the Egyptians. An invitation to tea (shurub shai?) Is no less important for Egypt than it is for the UK, although the drink is served in a completely different way. Many men combine tea with a hookah. When making tea (shai), national drink In Egypt, the leaves are usually boiled and drunk black and with sugar to taste - although a growing number of cafes are serving tea bags and milk. Milk tea is called shai bi-laban, tea bag- shai libton, or ask leaf tea(shai kushari). In hot weather, tea with mint (shai bi-pa`apa) is very refreshing.

Coffee in Egypt hotels

Coffee (`ahwa) is traditionally (laquo; Turkish raquo) served in tiny cups or cups and with sugar at the client's request: saada (no sugar), ariha (lightly sugared), mazboot (medium sweetness) or ziyaada (sweet as syrup ). and most other middle-class establishments offer a different selection of coffee, but cinnamon coffee (`ahwa makhaweka) is very popular, and you can also find instant coffee optionally with milk (`ahwa bi-laban). and other prestigious places put espresso machines. Drinks are served in traditional coffee shops or teahouses (`ahwa), which are exclusively male territory. Foreign women will not be kicked out, but an awkward feeling will arise, especially if there is no accompanying man. For tea or coffee in a more relaxed atmosphere, try middle-class establishments (in large cities), often at pastry shops, there are also Egyptians.

Features of the national cuisine of Egypt - in drinks

renowned for its amazing variety and the third drink in demand in this country is the original karkade, a dark red mixture of hibiscus flowers. In Luxor and Aswan, it is especially popular and very refreshing - both hot and cold. In other places, instead of real hibiscus, sometimes they take a dehydrated extract, it is not so tasty. Try other concoctions, such as helba (a bright yellow mixture of shambhala), yansoon (anise), or irfa (cinnamon). Cold winter evenings very good is sahleb, a thick, juicy drink made from milk condensed with crushed orchid root, sprinkled with cinnamon and nuts on top. V hot weather Egyptians draw rayeb (curdled milk), the characteristic taste of which takes some getting used to. On all the major streets, there are counters selling juices, easily recognizable by the spread of fruit.
Typically you order and pay at the checkout, then serve your plastic token behind the counter and get your drink. Juices are squeezed from the seasonal fruits burtuan (orange), mohz (banana; with mohz bi-laban milk), manga (mango), farawla (strawberry), gazar (carrot), rumaan (pomegranate), subia (coconut) and asab (cloying -sweet thick juice light green from crushed sugar cane). Mixed juices are also available; nus w nus (literally laquo; half raquo;) usually refers to carrot-orange juice, other combinations should be specified. Street vendors also stock icy asiir limoon (strong sweet lemonade), bittersweet licorice water, and the delicious and refreshing tamarhindi (tamarind drink). Despite the plethora of cheap fresh juices, regular sodas are sold everywhere, including Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, and 7-Ur (called laquo; Seven raquo;), both in bottles and cans.
In Egypt, bottled soda is usually drunk locally, otherwise you will have to pay for it to carry the bottle away. Bottled mineral water (tauua ta adatuua) is widespread, in particular Baraka (laquo; Blessing raquo;; owner - Nestle); the brands Siwa and Hyat (from the Siwa oasis) are slightly less common. Baraka is sold in bottles of 1.5 liters, 1 liter and 0.5 liters. If tourists ask for water, it is implied that they mean mineral water if it is not specified that you need a tap (tauua baladf).
In most cities tap water you can drink, but it is too chlorinated for average taste; people with sensitive stomachs are better off sticking to bottled water. very different and therefore, when buying mineral water, make sure that the packaging is not damaged - sometimes they try to cheat tourists and sell tap water - a favorite joke at cheap resorts in Dahab.

Alcoholic drinks are not very popular in Egypt

Alcohol in Egypt is sold in many regions, but points of sale are limited. In the oases of the Libyan desert and in Central Egypt, sales are strictly limited or even prohibited. If there are no bars, try going to a hotel or a Greek restaurant; if you do not see that the visitors are drinking, then it is not here.
If you've managed to find a place with alcoholic beverages, remember that dry climates cause dehydration and overuse can result in an agonizing hangover. Drunkenness in public places in Egypt is completely unacceptable. Out of respect for the Muslim majority, the sale of alcohol is prohibited on the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad and on the first and last days of Ramadan (sometimes even the whole month).
The most common alcoholic drinks are various brands and types of beer, which first appeared in the days of the pharaohs. Local Stella beer is a light lager (4% ABV) in half liter bottles and cans, very good if it hasn't been in the sun for too long. To check if a bottled beer has run out, turn the bottle over before opening and see if there is foam. In most places, Stella costs € 6-10, although discos can charge up to € 20, and even more on cruise ships. Competing with Stella is the new Sakkara brand, also a light lager (4%), which seems to be more popular with Europeans. There are varieties of both Stella and Sakkara of the highest quality laquo; for export raquo; (4, 7%), they have a little more rich taste... Also in Egypt, Carlsberg, Lowenbrau and Meister are produced, but they are more expensive and do not cost that extra charge. Sakkara and Meister are 7%, but this suicidal liquid is best avoided. The dark March Marzen beer appears briefly in the spring; Aswan dark beer Aswali is produced. The most expensive beer is imported (€ 15-20), sold only in bars, some hotels and restaurants. In addition, there is a non-alcoholic Birrel.
About half a dozen Egyptian wines are produced near Alexandria, and their quality has improved significantly after French specialists began to monitor the production. The most common types are Omar Khayyam (very dry red), Cru des Ptolemees (decent dry white) and Rubis d'Egypte (acceptable pink). In 1999 appeared New episode a wine called Obelisque, it has a very good red Rouge des Pharaohs, while rosé and whites deserve less attention. Wines in most restaurants cost around € 30 a bottle (on a cruise ship, more likely € 45). Not so long ago, Chateau des Reves was released - High Quality red wine with a rich taste. It sells for € 70-100, and before drinking it is better to let it breathe for a while.
If you want to seriously drink locals drink Egyptian spirits, usually mixed with carbonated water or fruit juice... They prefer brandy (in jaz, literally laquo; a bottle of raquo;), which comes in three brands: Ahmar (the cheapest), Maa`tak (the best) and Vin (the most common). Zibiba (Egyptian vodka) is similar to Greek ouzo but is drunk clean. Try not to buy disgusting Egyptian gin and whiskey. Their labels are reminiscent of famous Western brands, but may even contain wood alcohol and other poisons; in addition, these drinks are dangerous if you drink too much.
Imported strong alcohol are sold in duty-free shops in major resorts for reasonable prices (JohnnyWalker Red Label US $ 12; Stolichnaya vodka; US $ 10). Beware of scammers trying to persuade you to buy something from duty-free on the black market. Today, following the trends in the West, new cocktail laquo; alcopop raquo; vodka-based under the name ID. It happens different tastes and sold in liquor stores, in some bars and in duty-free.

Tired of searching

Inside Egypt itself you can buy local drinks without restrictions (if you find a store), and the sale of imported alcohol is very limited. Naturally, the Egyptians want to earn money, and it is not profitable for them to sell someone else's alcohol. We will start with imported alcohol.

Imported alcohol in Egypt

It is no secret that many tourists do not like Egyptian alcoholic drinks, and this is not surprising. The Arabs themselves do not drink alcohol for religious reasons, and it is clear that they do not understand the quality of alcoholic beverages. Hence the disastrous result.

There are four main ways to drink imported alcohol. The first way- is to buy a tour to the hotel according to the UAI (“Ultra All Inclusive”) system, that is, where the price of accommodation includes foreign drinks.

But here you need to be careful, as UAI does not always mean imported alcohol. There are times when hotels mean something completely different. For example, bar service by waiters or meals after midnight. In any case, you need to check with the hotel what exactly they mean by UAI.

Second way Is to go to a regular hotel and buy imported alcohol there in a bar. This is the most expensive way, a bottle of whiskey can cost from 200 (about $ 30) to infinity.

The third way the most reliable and practical - bring your own. If you have a preference for alcoholic beverages, then bring the ones you like from home. Unfortunately, only 1 liter of strong alcoholic beverages can be imported into Egypt, and wine is equal to them. With beer it is more difficult, since the official information on the website of the Egyptian customs service says nothing about beer at all.

Keep in mind that only an adult (over 18 years old) can carry alcohol, so it will not work to write down extra liters for children.

Many tourists carry more, as there is no serious control at the airports. They just put more and no one catches them.

The most cunning check in two bags, each containing one liter of alcoholic beverages. In the Russian airport, no one will say anything, but in the Egyptian airport, all the bags will be mixed, and no one will look to whom which suitcase belongs.

Fourth way- buy in the Duty Free store. Most often, they are located at airports, but not necessarily. The resort has a store at the Savoy Hotel in Naama Bay and at the airport. In the resort, besides the airport, Duty Free can be found at the SeaGull Hotel and on Village Road.

While the first two brands directly declare their Egyptian origin, the third is stubbornly trying to impersonate a European. This is Meister beer(see photo). Don't fall for appearance, it is a purely Egyptian brand. It is produced in the usual version and Max grades, in which 8% alcohol.

And of course, Heineken produces beer in Egypt under its own brand. If you are a fan of Heineken, then in Egypt we do not recommend trying it, you may be completely disappointed.

Also in Egypt there are many private breweries with their own recipes and brands, some manage to brew very good beer. For example, the brands Luxor and Tusker. Unfortunately, even in large resort cities only Heineken brands can be found, others are not brought here.

Egyptian whiskey

If you are a fan of whiskey, we recommend buying imported whiskey in Duty Free. How to do this and what are the rules, we wrote in the main article about. Egypt produces different types whiskey, but the quality is not very high. On the other hand, we also cannot reward them with the epithet “disgusting”, you can drink them.

The most famous variety is called “Auld Stag”, which translates as “Good deer”. Don't look at the label where the letters are shining everywhere English language, it is a purely Egyptian brand. The Egyptians position it as "Premium" and try to sell it at a price comparable to that of Scotch and American whiskeys.

As for taste, we quote from one critic: "It smells like poison, tastes a little better." Of course, you can drink this drink, do not get poisoned. But, taste and price are in no way comparable with each other.

The most interesting whiskey in Egypt is “1962 JIM BEAM Black Cleopatra Egyptian”. See the photo of the bottle on the right. Will go very well as an original. It tastes quite good. Manufactured under a European license.

Egyptian wines

There are a great many of them. The most famous are Omar Khayyam, Cru des Ptolmees, Rubis D "Egypte and Abarka. Many wines in Egypt have unique taste and the quality is excellent. It makes no sense to describe all varieties on this page. Among the local alcoholic drinks in Egypt, we recommend tasting wines. And it is worth bringing wine from Egypt from alcoholic beverages.

Enjoy your holiday and read our articles about Egypt ( links below).