Beverages
Tea — The National Drink
Jordan is a tea country. Black tea (Chai), heavily sweetened and often flavored with sage (Maramiya) or mint (Na'na'), is consumed at any time of day — in the morning, after meals, during business dealings, in the desert, everywhere. The small glasses (Istikan) are served with three spoons of sugar, and it would be impolite to refuse the first cup.
In the desert and with the Bedouins, the tea is brewed over an open fire in a soot-blackened kettle — with sage, sometimes with cardamom. This desert tea tastes best by the campfire under the starry sky.
Coffee
Two types dominate:
- Qahwa Sada (Bedouin coffee): Lightly roasted coffee flavored with cardamom, without sugar, poured from a long-spouted pot (Dallah) into tiny cups. Served at formal occasions and in Bedouin tents. Tradition: Slightly shake the cup when you've had enough.
- Turkish coffee: Strong, sweet (sada = without, wassat = medium, helwa = sweet), with grounds in the cup. Available in every café. Don't drink the grounds!
Alcohol
Jordan is not a dry country: Alcohol is legal and available in many restaurants, bars, and supermarkets.
- Beer: Amman's craft beer scene is growing — Carakale is the first Jordanian craft brewery. Otherwise: Amstel, Heineken, Philadelphia (local). 2–4 JOD in restaurants.
- Arak: The Levantine aniseed spirit, similar to Ouzo or Raki. Mixed with water and ice (turns milky-white). The traditional drink for a mezze evening.
- Wine: Jordanian wine is surprisingly good! The wineries Saint George, Jordan River, and Zumot produce decent red and white wines. From 5 JOD in restaurants.
During Ramadan, most restaurants do not serve alcohol, but it is available in hotels and bars for tourists.
Refreshments
- Freshly squeezed juices: Orange juice, pomegranate juice, sugarcane juice — at every street corner. 0.50–1 JOD.
- Jallab: Sweet drink made from dates, grape molasses, and rose water, with pine nuts and raisins — refreshing and unique.
- Ayran (Laban): Salty, diluted yogurt drink — perfect in the heat.
