Sahlab Sweet Middle Eastern Milk Drink

The beloved sweet Middle Eastern milk drink called Sahlab. An inviting winter warmer of choice across the Middle East.

What is Sahlab Drink?

The Arabic word “sahlab” refers to the powdered tuber of the orchid genus Orchis, used as a thickening agent in various Middle Eastern desserts and beverages.

Sahlab is a popular warm sweet Middle Eastern milk elixir, enjoyed on wintry days. Introduced to the Middle East and nearby countries by the Ottoman Empire.

Due to its thickened consistency, it can be felt warming your insides making it the perfect winter warmer. I love cupping my hands around a cup of sahlab which then also warms me on the outside.

It is relished like any other hot beverage and usually adorned with toppings which I mention in the next section. Some people like to dunk their favorite cookies into it, such as sweetened breadsticks called kaak.

The taste of sahlab reminds me of haytaliye if it were warm, and also muhallabia, which are both milk puddings.

About The Ingredients

Traditionally sahlab is made with full-fat milk, I have chosen to use almond milk, but any dairy-free version will work too, although the color may change slightly.

The milk is thickened with corn starch (corn flour Aus) which creates a luscious thick sippable consistency. The ratio of milk to starch is 4:1.

White sugar is the typical sweetener, however, I have used maple syrup, and the amount of sweetness can be adjusted, I have found one tablespoon per cup of dairy-free milk to be sufficient.

Mastic is a resin derived from the mastic tree. It has a mild pine-like flavor and is best used in its pearl-like shape which will be ground before using in this recipe. Mastic can be found at your local Middle Eastern / Mediterranean grocer or purchase it here.

Rose water and or orange blossom water is added at the end, for flavoring. You can opt to use both or one. A little goes a long way with either of these which can be found at your local Middle Eastern grocer or you can purchase these here (my preferred brand). I also use this to make riz bi haleeb.

Optional - Sahlab powder (/salep سَحْلَب) is the flour made from Orchis mascula and Orchis militaris (orchids). This is the traditional ingredient of this Middle Eastern sweetened milk drink, however, due to its scarcity and cost, it is now often omitted.

For this specific recipe, I have left it out, however, if you were to use it, it would be 1 tablespoon per liter (⅓ fl. oz) of milk.

Sahlab powder gives this drink the most luxurious hint of stretchiness and a slight floral taste. If using this ingredient, you can leave the other flower water out. You can purchase it here.

Topping Suggestions

Some popular toppings are cinnamon powder, desiccated coconut, and crushed pistachio.

You could even try it with sultanas or dried rose petals.