In the heart of North Africa lies the captivating land of Morocco, a country renowned for its rich history, diverse culture, and stunning landscapes. Morocco's traditional drinks are an essential part of the country's culture and cuisine. With a rich tradition of Arab, Berber, and French influences, Morocco offers a wide variety of beverages reflecting its cultural and geographical diversity. Amidst the tapestry of experiences it offers, lies a topic that deserves exploration - alcohol in Morocco.
Morocco’s cultural landscape is deeply rooted in Islamic traditions, which significantly influence its approach to alcohol consumption. The dominant religion’s tenets prohibit Muslims from drinking alcohol, resulting in a predominantly non-drinking population. While the majority of Moroccans abstain from alcohol, there are still pockets of society where alcohol plays a role in celebrations and gatherings.
As tourism continues to grow in Morocco, so does the influx of visitors seeking to experience the country’s vibrant offerings. However, the clash between the alcohol customs of tourists and the values of Moroccan culture raises intriguing questions. In the face of cultural diversity and the growth of tourism, fostering understanding and respect is essential. As visitors venture into this captivating country, it is imperative to approach alcohol consumption with sensitivity and respect for the values cherished by the Moroccan people.
Yes, alcohol is legal in Morocco. You can buy alcohol in licensed bars, restaurants, hotels, and supermarkets in larger cities and tourist areas. No, drinking alcohol in public places is generally prohibited in Morocco. Yes, during the holy month of Ramadan, the sale of alcohol may be restricted or prohibited in many places, even in tourist areas. In Morocco, you can find a variety of alcoholic beverages including beer, wine, and spirits. Yes, you can bring alcohol into Morocco, but there are limits. Yes, the legal drinking age in Morocco is 18 years old.
Attitudes towards alcohol consumption in Morocco vary. The cost of alcohol in Morocco can vary. Imported drinks tend to be more expensive, while local wines and beers are more affordable. Yes, you can drink alcohol in your hotel room.
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Morocco makes some very nice wines and some decent beer and some pretty good stuff called mahia (l'eau de vie) that you are unlikely to encounter unless you seek it out. Whiskeys, rum, gin...these are nearly all imported, and if they're made locally, they are probably pretty bad. I'm sure someone's going to start a craft distillery in Marrakesh soon, but it hasn't happened yet.
I generally stick to beer and have learned that there's a category of cheap Moroccan wine that is best avoided. Cocktails in bars are hit-and-miss. Marrakesh's top places know how to make the classics and how to get creative, too. I had a couple good negronis at DarDar, Pointbar, and Kabana, and a perfect one at El Morocco Club in Tangier. I also had some pretty meh martinis. Gin and tonic, vodka tonic, etc. will come with gin in the glass over ice and a bottle of tonic for you to mix yourself. There's good draft beer out there, too, nowadays.
Mahia: A Spirit with History
Jews in Morocco: A History
It would be hard to tell the story of Moroccan Jewry without looking at mahia, the quintessential spirit that defined Jewish life in Morocco. Mahia has a fascinating history that begins with how it’s distilled. Traditionally distilled as an eau de vie by the Jewish community in the Mellah (the Jewish quarter of Morocco), and hidden in their basements, for Moroccan Jews homebrewing was the only way to enjoy alcohol, due to booze being haram for Muslims.
For many Moroccan Jews, mahia is not just a drink but a part of religious and cultural rituals, such as “Hillula” pilgrimages honoring great rabbis and Jewish saints. Mahia is thought to be able to absorb the saint’s powers just by being in his presence. Despite its Jewish origins, mahia has found a way to transcend religious boundaries. In the past century, as Morocco’s Jewish population deserted the Sahara for Israel, fewer and fewer possessed the secret recipes for distilling the drink.
Outside Morocco, however, mahia has found success with Western audiences with London-based Sahara Distillery and Nahmias Distillery in New York crafting their own smoother variations built for the western palate. mahia has become a favorite for mixologists, with its subtle but special flavors. Jews have managed to find unique ways to distill alcohol for centuries, the Tunisians for instance have boukha, a similar spirit based on figs, Levantine Jews have arak. But mahia tastes and feels different, like an entire community and culture distilled into one beverage.
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Mahia is a traditional Moroccan brandy distillates from fruits such as jujubes, figs, dates, grapes, and flavored with anise. Its name literally means "eau de vie" in Arabic. Originally from Morocco, it was historically produced by the Moroccan Jews before they emigrated in the second half of the 20th century.
Mahia can be enjoyed as a digestif or used as a base for cocktails: it goes very well with pomegranate juice, rose water; ginger syrup or mango juice for example. It can also be infused with fennel leaves, to enhance its aniseed scent. Today, mahia very often designates adulterated alcohol in Morocco sold informally and consumed in disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Traditional Moroccan Drinks
Morocco's traditional drinks are an integral part of its culinary culture. Our favourite and most famous ones that you must try if you go as well as the places to enjoy them if you go to Morocco or specifically to Tetouan with one of our excursions.
Mint Tea (Atay)
One of Morocco's most recognisable icons is mint tea.known as 'atay' in Arabic. This hot, aromatic drink is traditionally served in small glasses and is consumed on almost every social occasion. Mint tea is made from green tea leaves, fresh mint leaves and sugar, and is served in great style by the 'mrechichines' (tea masters), who pour it from a considerable height to form a foam on the surface. Mint tea is a symbol of hospitality.
Chiba Tea
Chiba tea, also known as "ginger tea", is an infusion made with grated fresh ginger and hot water. It is a comforting and stimulating drink, known for its digestive properties and spicy taste. Ginger is widely used in Moroccan cuisine and is believed to have medicinal properties. Chiba tea is prized for its unique taste and health benefits.
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Orange Juice
Morocco is known for having some of the tastiest and juiciest oranges in the world.and freshly squeezed orange juice at breakfast time is a refreshing and healthy way to start the day.
Moroccan Coffee
Moroccan coffee is strong and served in small cups, as well as being another popular drink in Morocco. It is often accompanied by dates or Arab sweets. Another drink found in Morocco is the "arabische koffie" or Arabic coffee. This coffee is usually served after meals and is prepared with finely ground coffee beans, hot water and a pinch of spices such as cardamom.
Sharbat
Sharbat is a refreshing drink made from fruit juice (such as watermelon, strawberry or lemon), water and sugar.
Argan Oil Drink
This drink is a mixture of argan oil, almonds and honey.
Rose Tea (Atay Warda)
This herbal tea is made from dried rose petals and hot water, and has a delicate, floral taste. Rose tea, also known as atay warda, is prized for its fragrant aroma and supposedly soothing properties.
Jus de Bissap (Hibiscus Water)
For those looking for a non-alcoholic drink with a twistjus de bissap" is an excellent choice. Also known as "hibiscus water", this drink is made from dried hibiscus flowers and sugar. It is refreshing, quite popular in summer to help hydrate and has a sweet and sour, fruity taste.
Wine and Beer
Wine production in Morocco has a long history dating back to Phoenician times. The best known wine regions are Meknes, Casablanca and the Guadalquivir Valley. Beer is also popular in Morocco, although it is not as widely consumed as in Spain. It has local brands such as Casablanca, Flag Speciale and Stork. being the most common.
Where to Enjoy Moroccan Drinks
Coffee shops in Tetouan are a great place to enjoy authentic Moroccan drinks. Tetouan's souks and markets are lively places where you can find street vendors and stalls offering a variety of drinks. Traditional Moroccan restaurants in Tetouan also tend to offer a wide selection of typical drinks. Tetouan has several tea shops and tea houses that are perfect for experiencing Moroccan tea culture.
Alcohol Consumption Insights
Morocco is a Muslim-majority country, which means that most Moroccans do not drink alcohol at all. And yet, a good number still do, on top of the large numbers of tourists and resident foreigners across the country.
Over the past few decades, it has become both easier and harder to drink in Morocco. Marjane, the country's biggest chain of supermarkets, stopped selling any alcohol. You can often find stores adjacent to Carrefour grocery stores, and other little markets are scattered around. In general, there won't be a sign and it will not be advertised, but it is often located next to a small supermarket.
On Fridays, shops will close around noon for Friday prayers. During Ramadan, all shops will shut down entirely. They are usually closed on Sundays or have only limited hours. There can be a strongly secretive vibe to these places. It's mainly men inside and they are often in a hurry; line-cutting is common. On anecdotal evidence, most people drink beer, which is sold in singles. If there's a six pack or a case, it's the exact same price per bottle as a single.
Some places will have self serve refrigerators, others will have little counters where you tell the cashier what you want and they bag it up for you. In cities like Marrakesh and Tangier, more and more restaurants serve alcohol, especially outside the medina areas. In bigger cities, but especially in Marrakesh, there are plenty of bars with all kinds of different vibes.
"Dive bars" tend to be primarily filled with men, but more upscale places (especially in neighborhoods like Gueliz and Hivernage) will have mixed crowds. One of the nice things about these places is that they're often not booze-centric: they'll serve plenty of alcohol but have lots of non-alcoholic options and plenty of people will be there to socialize rather than just to drink. In fact, the wealth of mocktail options in Morocco is pretty awesome and there are lots of fun hangouts that only serve fresh juices, teas, etc.
Big international hotels will also have bars, some of them spectacular. Even larger Moroccan hotels will have them, although most of their customers tend to be men. Note: it's pretty common to be served little tapas-like things with each round, whether your order them or not. Olives, nuts, chips, popcorn, sometimes more complicated stuff. Like in Spain, these are free.
What to Drink?
Beer: Casablanca is the top of the beer pyramid in Morocco. It's the best, and it's not really close. I'd drink Casa anywhere; it holds up well in comparison to the best international lagers. Flag Speciale is probably the most commonly found beer; it's okay. I like the squat little bottles. Speciale has come out with a few special releases (like an Oktoberfest riff), too.
After Speciale and Casa, it gets worse, quickly. Stork is great mainly for the humor it offers. The cans look cheap, the bottle labels are always peeling. It has a little more malt taste than the others. Flag Pils is not often found outside the supermarket or dive bars. It reminds me of High Life but its fizz doesn't hold up and it feels a little thin and flat after a sip or two.
Beers in a shop start around 12 dirhams a can/bottle (~$1.25). Imports like 1664, San Miguel, or Corona cost more like 20-30 dirhams a bottle ($2-3). Beers in bars can vary widely.
However, it was only with French colonial rule in and intensive investment in viticulture that a proper wine industry began. Syrocco, a Syrah from the Zenata region, is available in the US and a quality bottle. La Ferme Rouge makes good wines, and the Domaines du Sahari rosé is a nice, delicate rosé. I have a strict "No CP" (pronounced "say-pay") policy. This ubiquitous brand is made by Ouled Thaleb (which makes some good stuff) but is on the cheaper end of the spectrum.
Ingredients and Techniques for Moroccan Drinks
Moroccan drinks pull from the same pantry as the food: citrus, spices, herbs, and florals.
- Orange Blossom Water - A little goes a long way.
- Lemon and Lime - Tangy citrus is a must.
These ingredients help our drinks hold their own against rich Moroccan dishes. Good ingredients matter, but the techniques we use bring everything together. We often muddle fresh herbs with citrus and sugar before anything else. This releases essential oils and starts building flavor right at the bottom of the glass.
Moroccan drinks are rarely too sweet. Instead, we balance tart pomegranate or lemon juice with floral notes and just a touch of raw sugar. Many of our mocktails open with a floral note and finish with a minty or citrusy twist. You won’t find these kinds of drinks at most cocktails in Gastown restaurants, where the menus often lean heavy on standard liquor-forward classics.
At Moltaqa, we bring that same spirit to our mocktail menu. Alcohol is less common in traditional Moroccan culture due to religious customs, but Moroccan flavors still shine in non-alcoholic drinks.
Seasonal Drinks and Festivities
Moroccan culture is rich in traditions and festivities. These often include unique and tasty drinks. During Ramadan, Moroccans enjoy drinks like harira and jallab. These are made from lentils, tomatoes, and dates.
These drinks are key to Moroccan tea culture. They highlight hospitality and community. In Morocco, special occasions like weddings and holidays are celebrated with drinks. Authentic Moroccan cocktails are made with local ingredients. Oranges, lemons, and mint are often used.
These drinks are not just tasty. They also show the country’s rich cultural heritage. Some popular seasonal drinks in Morocco include:
- Harira: a hearty soup made with lentils, chickpeas, and tomatoes
- Jallab: a sweet drink made with dates, molasses, and rose water
- Mint tea: a refreshing beverage made with green tea, mint, and sugar
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