Welcome to a sip of innovation and a gulp of tradition in the bustling emirate of Dubai, where the beverage landscape is a dynamic fusion of flavors, cultures, and trends. In this oasis of luxury and modernity, the Dubai beverage scene is not merely about quenching thirst; it’s a sensory journey that mirrors the city’s spirit of pushing boundaries.
Dubai is home to millions of purveyors with a thirst for traditional Arabian tastes and for something a little more spirited (pun intended). In a culture where drinks are a mark of hospitality, Dubai has become known to residents and tourists alike as a city to sample local flavors and add its own contemporary twists to classic favorites.
Whether it’s a hot or cold drink, or one that’s shaken and not stirred, the Dubai beverage market is piping hot. And if you’re planning to go drink shopping or intend to order beverages online, these locally inspired drinks are meant to tempt your taste buds with flavors that are both unique and refreshing.
1. Coffee
The reigning king of beverages in the Gulf region, coffee is a well-celebrated beverage in Dubai. Recent trends in the coffee market have seen the coffee trend grow to new heights. Dubai is home to a coffee museum, the world’s most expensive coffee, and in recent years, the city has been hosting the International Coffee and Tea Festival and has hosted the World Coffee Championships.
When seeking out a true connoisseur experience, forgo paper cups and opt for a traditional Arabian coffee experience. Gahwa, sometimes spelled qahwa, is the traditional Arabic blend. The experience is rather ceremonial with the spiced coffee poured from a dallah, a traditional Arabic coffee pot, served into tiny cups and enjoyed with a plate of fresh dates.
2. Beer pairings
The introduction of craft beers to Dubai’s alcoholic beverage market has seen this fledgling beverage become one of the hottest new things in the Dubai beer market. Now, the city sees the beer industry expand into a new world of flavor, beer pairings. Now, beer pairings in Dubai are a tasting experience not unlike wine pairings.
The impressive array of ingredients found in beers, from barley and hops to yeast, makes them the perfect refreshments to complement a range of delectable dishes.
As Master Beer Sommelier Sofie Vanrafelghem explains, “beer cleanses the palate between bites and makes for a refreshing break.” Non-Muslim residents will still need a Dubai liquor license, though, to sample these wonderful pairings but expect to see beer and food pairings make their appearance in your favorite Dubai restaurants.
3. Jallab and Qamardeen
Two traditional beverages of the Holy Month of Ramadan, jallab and qamardeen are often staples of the iftar menu, the evening meal that signifies the end of the daily Ramadan fast. Enjoyed across the region, both drinks are also the perfect way to cool down in Dubai’s tempestuous heat and are also enjoyed for their sweet and refreshing flavors.
Jallab is a syrup consisting of date molasses and rose water. It is served diluted with water, and mixed with plenty of crushed ice, and nuts, particularly pine nuts or slivered almonds and golden raisins. Qamardeen is an apricot puree drink made with dried apricot sheets or fruit leather. This rich, thick drink that energizes you after a day’s fast is usually paired with long finger biscuits.
4. Wellness Drinks
The emirate’s wellness drinks trend is a kaleidoscope of innovation, fusing Middle Eastern tradition with contemporary perspectives on health and wellness.
Besides the use of healthy beverage ingredients in fresh herb, vegetable and fruit-infused organic drinks, picture camel milk lattes offering a unique blend of cultural richness and health benefits. Date-infused elixirs are also making a splash, combining the region’s beloved fruit with global superfood trends.
It’s not just about hydration; these beverages embody a holistic approach to well-being. In a city known for pushing boundaries, wellness drinks in Dubai are a refreshing option where cultural heritage meets the avant-garde, nourishing both the body and soul.
5. Rosé
Whether it displays a soft, subtle hue or a vibrant, hot pink variety, rosé has become an emerging drink of choice for many tourists and non-Muslim expats. Its flavor profile varies according to the type of grape, but rosé is traditionally a fruitier alternative to red wine.
An ideal beverage for spring and summer, rosé has become a key category for restaurants and licensed liquor stores catering to consumers with a preference for sparkling wine.
Beverage programs throughout the city are serving up this fashionable beverage in delicious cocktail formats, while liquor stores in the city are seeing bottles of this easy-drinking everyday luxury being enjoyed by admirers.
6. Luxury spirits
Trends in the Dubai beverage market would be incomplete without a lavish display of taste and wealth, particularly in the form of luxury spirits.
Sales of luxury spirits throughout Dubai include some world record-breaking sales. In 2017, a luxury retailer in Dubai broke the record for the largest duty free sale, both in the single bottle and collection categories, respectively. Both included the sale of a rare and exclusive Macallan single malt.
Other luxury spirits such as cognac and vodka are seeing the benefits of a boom in the alcoholic beverage market in Dubai. Johnnie Walker Blue Label Scotch, Chapters of Ampersand Et No 1 Cognac, and Vallure Vodka are just some examples of luxury spirits seeing high demand in Dubai.
Enjoy Your Favorite Drinks in Dubai
The Dubai beverage scene is an interesting blend of old and new and everything in between. It offers an eclectic variety of drinks meant to satisfy both simple and sophisticated tastes.
In the end, it’s all about what you enjoy best.
After all, drinks are meant to be enjoyed, explored, and experienced.
Whether you’re a non-Muslim resident or a visitor to Dubai, be sure to try any one of these drinking trends currently making waves throughout Dubai. With a bit of luck,you may just discover a new drink to love long after your last sip.
