Local Drinks

1. çay

   Çay (black tea)

   Usage

   The everyday drink, served in small tulip-shaped glasses. TDK also lists strength words: "demli" = strongly brewed, "tavşankanı" = brewed to just the right strength

2. Türk kahvesi

   Turkish coffee (finely ground coffee simmered in a cezve)

   Usage

   TDK: brewed in a cezve over low heat, with the sugar level chosen when ordering — sade (none), az şekerli, orta, şekerli. "Türk" is capitalised because it is a proper adjective

3. ayran

   Ayran (salted yoghurt drink)

   Usage

   TDK: yoghurt thinned with water and whisked. The standard companion to kebap — salty, not sweet

4. şalgam suyu

   Şalgam suyu (fermented turnip and carrot juice, sour and salty)

   Usage

   TDK: made from turnip and carrot with bulgur, water and salt. An Adana speciality, ordered acılı (hot) or tatlı (mild). It looks like juice but is sour and savoury

5. boza

   Boza (thick fermented grain drink, sold in winter)

   Usage

   TDK: barley, millet, maize or wheat dough fermented into a thick, sweet or slightly tart drink. A winter-only speciality, served dusted with cinnamon

6. salep

   Salep (hot milk drink thickened with orchid tuber powder)

   Usage

   TDK gives "sahlep" as a synonym and defines the drink as the powder simmered in sweetened milk or water. A winter street drink alongside boza

7. limonata

   Limonata (lemonade)

   Usage

   TDK: water, sugar and lemon juice. Many places serve a house-made version in summer

8. şerbet

   Şerbet (sweet drink of fruit juice and sugared water)

   Usage

   TDK gives two senses: the drink (fruit juice with sugared water) and the sugar syrup poured over pastries such as baklava. On a dessert menu it means the syrup

9. maden suyu

   Maden suyu (naturally sparkling mineral water)

   Usage

   TDK: spring water containing dissolved minerals. Plain still water is just "su", so point at this if you want sparkling

10. soda

    Soda (carbonated water)

    Usage

    TDK: water with added carbon dioxide and bicarbonate. A separate TDK sense is washing soda, so keep the context clear

11. kefir

    Kefir (fermented milk drink)

    Usage

    TDK: goat's or cow's milk fermented with a special yeast culture, sour in taste. Found in supermarket chillers next to ayran

12. meyve suyu

    Meyve suyu (fruit juice)

    Usage

    TDK: juice obtained from fruit. Name a specific fruit by adding "suyu" — portakal suyu is orange juice

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