Salep Drink (Cinnamon and Warm Milk)

Just like Turkish coffee, salep is a very popular hot drink in Turkey. It is one of the most fascinating drinks around the world. So rich, creamy and milky that both kids and adults LOVE it like crazy! It is served with cinnamon powder on the top. And everyone loves it at first sip. 

When we are out on cold days of winter, we love to have either Turkish Boza Drink (a pudding-like Turkish drink made from fermented grains) or salep. Although boza is not served hot, it's a winter treat too. On the other hand, salep warms both your body and your heart. You just fall in love with its aromatic and floral scent.

The unique flavor and creamy texture of salep drink come from salep powder. It is a rare and precious ingredient, so let's learn more about it before making this hot milk drink recipe.

How & Where To Buy

You can find it at any spice shop in Turkey. Come visit Turkey to find genuine sahlep powder! Outside Turkey, you can search for it at Middle Eastern markets. Also, it might be found in online shops selling products from Greece and Egypt.

But it might be a real challenge to find authentic salep powder due to its high price. It is a bit expensive and that's how you can understand that it’s genuine. If a kilo of it is cheaper than 2000 Turkish Lira/ $115 (in the year 2022), it’s not genuine. 

But don’t worry, you don’t need to buy a kilo. Just 10-20 grams will be enough for you because you’ll use just 1 tablespoon of salep to make this cinnamon and hot milk drink recipe.

What Is Salep Drink?

It is a comforting drink made with milk, sugar and ground orchid tubers known as salep powder. It is always served with cinnamon powder on the top. This creamy and rich drink is called salep or sahlep in Turkey and known as sahlab in the Eastern Mediterranean. It is also popular in Greece, Syria, Israel, Lebanon and Bulgaria.

Salep has been a part of Turkish culture since the 8th century, when most of Turks started to accept Islam as their religion. As alcohol is banned in this religion, they were in search of alternative drinks to keep them warm during winter. This is how salep became popular in Turkish culture.

Authentic salep recipe has to be made with pure salep powder. It is the ingredient that gives this hot milk drink the creamy texture. In Turkey, there are street vendors selling sahlep during winter months and the same vendors sell Turkish ice cream in summer.

It is easy to make at home, but takes time. So Turks often prefer enjoying sahlep drink at cafes or buying it from vendors on the street.

You don't feel like making it from scratch? There is also an instant salep drink version that is sold in sachets at markets in Turkey. The most famous brands are Nestle, Dr Oetker and Kahve Dunyasi. Instant salep is easier to find at markets in Turkey. You just pour a sachet in a mug and pour hot water or milk over it. So it is of course easier to make. 

On the other hand, although the taste is not too bad, you should know that this instant version is not the real thing. The amount of salep powder in the sachets is too little and it has a mixture of other types of thickeners like cornstarch (or cornflour), glutinous rice flour and milk powder. 

How To Make

1. Combine milk, sugar and salep powder in a large saucepan or thick-bottomed pot. Whisk them well.

2. Heat it over medium low heat, stirring constantly. Bring it to a boil.
3. Reduce the heat and let it simmer. Stir frequently while it is simmering until it thickens and reaches to a pudding-like consistency. Don't rush. This might take 15- 20 minutes or longer, but it is worth it. 

4. Remove from the heat and serve it in cups or mugs with some ground cinnamon on it.
5. Optionally, you can garnish it with pistachios or other nuts as well. 
6. You can serve it with buttery melting moments cookies on the side.

Expert Tips

• Use full-fat milk for the best result.
• Cook your salep drink in a thick-bottomed pan. Otherwise, it might burn at the bottom.
• Don't try to speed up the process. Making salep requires some time (and patience). If you try to cook it over medium or high heat, there will be lumps and you won't get that nice creamy consistency.
• The thickness of salep is a matter of preference. Traditionally, it is supposed to be as thick as hot chocolate. You know, thick but drinkable. So after 15 minutes, check the consistency. If you are happy with it, remove it from the heat. If you want it thicker, keep cooking. 
• Be careful when drinking it, it shouldn't be piping hot.
• For a plant-based alternative, you can use almond milk or coconut milk. 
• You can add extra flavors like orange blossom water or vanilla right before removing it from the heat.

Health Benefits

Besides its yummy taste and magical scent, this unique drink also has several benefits to health. The most well known benefit of it is that it has a curative effect on cough, bronchitis and cold. That’s why it’s mostly consumed in winter. In addition, it is said that it cures constipation and strengthens heart and mental powers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Other Hot Turkish Drinks

• Turkish Tea
• Rosehip Tea
• Apple Tea
• Turkish Coffee

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