Top 10 Ramadan drinks to beat dehydration this summer

This year the holy month of Ramadan falls in the summer, making fasting a tough task for Muslims, who abstain from food and drink until sunset.

As the body loses liquids, Muslims need to drink more after Iftar in order to avoid dehydration.

All of the following are traditional Ramadan drinks that can keep you hydrated.

Dates & Milk

Dates & Milk are traditionally eaten right after the sunset call to prayer, when Muslims break the fast.

Muslims begin their Iftar by consuming the dried dates, which are put in milk overnight, in adherence to the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed, who also broke his fast this way.

While plain dates and a simple glass of milk are certainly traditional, it is also common to spice things up a bit by making fun and delicious recipes like with stuffed dates.


Amar al din

Probably the most popular Ramadan drink, Amar al Din, can be consumed during Iftar or Suhoor.

It is a perfect way to start Iftar as it contains enough sugar to boost the digestive system without over stimulating it.

Made from either rolled dried apricot or dried apricot paste, Amar al din contains digestive aids, metabolism regulators, vitamins, and other useful properties.

Khoshaf

During Ramadan, Arabs sip a cool mixture made of dried fruits known as Khoshaf.

The ‘fruit salad’ drink, which is made of dried apricots, figs, dates, raisins, and prunes, is soaked in water and sugar overnight to form a delicious sauce that makes this salad sweet.

Khoshaf is typically served in small portions, just to break the fast before sunset prayers and then the sit-down meal.

Sobia

Made by lightly fermenting brown bread, barley, spices and sugar, Sobia can be white or dyed red.

Very popular in Saudi Arabia, the drink is often sold in plastic bags by street vendors during the holy month.

Sahlab

Sahlab is a traditional drink – or dessert - served during Ramadan especially in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine.

The drink, which is preferred during the winter, is a creamy pudding made from hot milk and flavored with nuts and cinnamon.

During the summer, the versatile drink/dessert can also be served cold.

Karkadeh

Refreshing hot or cold with a color that is as intense as the flavor, Karkadeh is a sweet infusion made from hibiscus flower.

Karkadeh, which is a typical Ramadan drink can, is also served for other occasions such as weddings.

With a hearty Iftar meal the cold version is preferred.

Liquorice drink, or Erk sous

This is another popular drink in Arab countries, especially Egypt and Syria.

Erk-sous is a black, mildly sweet and slightly bitter beverage made from the licorice root.

Although not to everyone's taste, Erk-sous or liquorice drink, is better known in the form of candy than as a drink.


Carob juice or Kharoub

Carob juice, also known as Kharoub, is a traditional Egyptian drink, that is usually drunk during the Islamic month of Ramadan made from the

The healthy and refreshing drink is full of fiber, protein and antioxidants, that helps Muslims go through the long hours of fasting.

Carob juice, which can be used to make sugar, gives the feeling to be gulping down a glass of thin honey.


Tamarind or Tamer Hindi

Tamarind also known in Arabic as “Tamr Hendi/Tamer Hindi”, or Indian date is very popular in Arabic countries.

Despite its name, Tamer Hindi is a very sour drink that is considered as the twin of Hibiscus as it is made almost in the same way.

It is made of tamarind fruit mixed with sugar and water.

Jallab

Jallab is a popular drink around the Middle East, especially in Syria, Palestine and Lebanon.

The drink is made by dates, grape molasses and rose water and served with lots of ice and topped with pine nuts and raisins.

Infographic: Top 10 drinks to beat dehydration this summer