Lena Savoie
Alcoholic beverages have a complex and multifaceted history in the Middle East, with a range of cultural, religious, and legal factors influencing their consumption and perception. While Islam is often associated with a prohibition on alcohol, the relationship between Muslim-majority countries and alcohol is nuanced and varied. The consumption of alcohol in the Middle East has been shaped by historical practices, colonial influences, and evolving social norms, resulting in a diverse landscape of laws and attitudes. From the traditional viniculture in Egypt and Iran to the emergence of microbreweries, the region's approach to alcohol is dynamic and multifaceted.
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What You'll Learn
Arak: a traditional alcoholic beverage of the Levant and Eastern Mediterranean
Alcoholic beverages have a long history in the Middle East, with a variety of regional distilled drinks such as arak and raki. Arak, also spelled araq or araki, is a traditional alcoholic drink in the Levant and Eastern Mediterranean regions, which includes countries like Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Israel, and Turkey. It is often referred to as the "milk of lions" or "lion's milk" due to its milky-white colour.
Arak is typically made from distilled grapes, dates, or plums and is usually flavoured with anise, giving it a distinct licorice-like taste. The distillation process involves fermenting the fruit with yeast and then distilling the resulting liquid in a copper still. This double distillation is what gives arak its characteristic flavour and high alcohol content, typically ranging from 40% to 60% ABV (alcohol by volume).
In the Middle East, arak is considered a cultural heritage and holds a significant place in social gatherings, celebrations, and traditional meals. It is commonly consumed straight or mixed with water, which causes the clear liquid to turn a milky-white colour, hence the nickname "lion's milk". The water is usually added slowly to the arak, either in the glass or on the side, according to personal preference.
The tradition of drinking arak is deeply rooted in the region's history and culture. It is often shared among friends and family during special occasions, such as weddings, birthdays, and holidays. In some countries, arak is also believed to have medicinal properties and is used as a remedy for various ailments, although there is little scientific evidence to support these claims.
While Islam generally prohibits the consumption of alcohol, there are varying interpretations and practices among Muslims. Some Muslims abstain from alcohol completely, while others may consume it in moderation or only on special occasions. Arak, despite its association with Islamic regions, is primarily consumed by non-Muslims or Muslims who do not strictly adhere to religious guidelines regarding alcohol consumption.
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Alcohol in Islamic culture: forbidden, but consumed in large quantities
Alcohol is forbidden in Islamic culture, but a minority of Muslims do drink and believe that consuming alcohol is not forbidden by the Quran. Alcohol is deemed haram because it is considered a substance that clouds judgment, weakens moral responsibility, and disrupts personal and social well-being.
The Quran does not ban alcohol immediately, but rather in stages, recognising the habits of early societies. Each verse moves Muslims closer to full abstinence. The initial warning is to not approach prayer while intoxicated:
> "O you who believe! Do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated, until you know what you are saying..." Surah An-Nisa (4:43)
The final command marks complete prohibition, tying alcohol to spiritual downfall and societal corruption:
> "O ye who believe! Intoxicants, gambling, idols, and divining arrows are an abomination of Satan’s handiwork. So avoid it, that you may succeed." Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:90–91)
Despite the religious prohibition, there is a long tradition of viniculture in the Middle East, particularly in Egypt and Iran, where it is legal and banned, respectively. Some countries with Muslim majorities produce a variety of regional distilled beverages, such as arak and rakı. Microbreweries have also emerged in the Middle East, including Carakale in Jordan, Taybeh Brewery in Ramallah, and 961 Beer in Beirut.
In Dubai, liquor licenses are required for residents to purchase alcohol for personal consumption, while in Abu Dhabi and other Emirates (except Sharjah), licenses are no longer necessary. Heineken from the Netherlands, Anheuser-Busch from the US, and Lion-Nathan from New Zealand have all marketed non-alcoholic beers in Muslim countries in the Middle East. Drinking non-alcoholic beer is popular among Muslim yuppies.
In terms of punishment for consuming alcohol, there is a lack of consensus among Muslim jurists. Some scholars, such as Muhammad Al-Munajjid of Saudi Arabia, advocate for flogging, with the number of lashes varying according to different schools of Islamic jurisprudence.
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Non-alcoholic drinks in the Middle East
Alcoholic drinks are forbidden in Islam, but that doesn't mean that there is no locally-produced alcohol in the Middle East. However, there are also plenty of non-alcoholic drinks available in the region. For instance, non-alcoholic beer, or "malt beverage", is popular among Muslim yuppies in the Middle East. Heineken from the Netherlands, Anheuser-Busch from the United States, and Lion-Nathan from New Zealand have all marketed non-alcoholic beers in the region. In addition, the world's leading independent non-alcoholic spirits brand, Lyre's, has entered the Middle Eastern market with 14 non-alcoholic spirits that are as close to the originals as possible.
There are also traditional non-alcoholic drinks that are popular in the Middle East. Limon w nana, for example, is a traditional Arabic drink made from lemon and mint. It is considered a slushy in countries such as Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Turkey, Egypt, and Lebanon, and is popular throughout the Middle East, especially across the Levantine region. Another popular drink in the Middle East is hibiscus tea, which can be served hot or cold. It is popular in Egypt, Sudan, and throughout the Middle East, and is naturally calorie and caffeine-free.
Yogurt-based drinks are also common in the Middle East and are served cold. These drinks are healthy, reduce the feeling of thirst, and have the same benefits as yogurt and milk. Pomegranate drinks are also popular in the Middle East, especially in Iraq, Palestine, and Lebanon. Pomegranate is believed to have been grown in the gardens of Paradise and is mentioned in many Iraqi folk songs. It is also rich in antioxidants and vitamins A, C, and E.
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Pre-Islamic traditions of alcohol consumption
Alcohol consumption in the Middle East has a long history, with various traditions and beliefs surrounding it, especially in the pre-Islamic era.
In pre-Islamic Arabia, the presence and consumption of wine were introduced and influenced by the spread of Christianity in the region. The Ibad, or "Servants of the Messiah", were a group of missionaries who brought Christianity to the Northern Peninsula in the late 3rd century. They thrived in the city of al-Hira, a hub of Aramaic and Persian culture, and were known for their involvement in the wine trade, especially with Arabia. The fundamental role of wine in Christian rituals, such as the Last Supper and the weekly Communion, contributed to its spread and consumption in pre-Islamic Arabia.
The Bedouin faith, which lacked established traditions, posed a challenge to the spread of both Christianity and Judaism in the region. However, the introduction of Christianity and its associated practices, including wine consumption, created a complex religious landscape in pre-Islamic Arabia.
During the Ottoman period, the right to produce alcohol was a norm within the broader public policy goals, respecting traditions and relations with non-Muslims. François Georgeon highlights the growing acceptability of alcoholic consumption in public in the Ottoman capital, though this varied across provinces. The intensification of migration and the influence of globalization also played a role in shaping alcohol-related norms during this time.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, the promotion of "local" drinks, including wines and spirits, served economic interests and cultural openness in some independent states. However, heads of state, like Gaddafi, wished to showcase their sobriety as a break from European influences. This dynamic between modernization, decolonization, and attachment to tradition continues to shape perceptions and policies around alcohol consumption in the region.
The interpretation of Islamic law regarding alcohol consumption has been a subject of debate among Muslim jurists for centuries. While some schools of thought consider all intoxicants, including alcohol, opium, and marijuana, as forbidden, others differentiate between substances. For example, some Hanafi scholars restrict the term "khamr" to fermented juice from grapes or grapes and dates, while allowing beverages made with other fruits, grains, or honey. The punishment for alcohol consumption has also been a matter of discussion, with scholars differing on the number of lashes to be administered.
Today, alcohol laws in the Middle East vary across countries. While some Muslim-majority countries have banned alcohol, others allow its production and consumption, reflecting the complex historical and cultural dynamics surrounding alcoholic beverages in the region.
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Microbreweries in the Middle East
Alcohol consumption is frowned upon in the Middle East, and in some countries, it is banned outright. However, this has not stopped the emergence of microbreweries in the region.
Jordan's first microbrewery, Carakale, opened in 2013. It is located in the village of Fuheis and is known for its Dead Sea-rious gose, made with salt from the Dead Sea. Another notable microbrewery in Jordan is the one founded by Heineken in 2003.
The West Bank is home to the Taybeh Brewing Company, a craft beer maker founded in 1994 in the eponymous Palestinian village. The brewery produces German- and Belgian-style beers, as well as a special Palestinian spice lager infused with locally grown sage, za'atar, and anise. The village hosts an annual Oktoberfest celebration that attracts 16,000 people from around the world.
Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, is known for its vibrant food and drink culture. While there were previously no notable locally brewed beers, this changed during the 2006 war with Israel with the founding of 961 Beer by former journalist Mazen Hajjar. The brewery offers a range of pale ales, porters, and wheat beers, challenging the perception of beer in a country at war.
In addition to these microbreweries, there are over 20 U.S.-style craft breweries in Israel, four in Lebanon, and one in Syria. Heineken also has a presence in the region, with breweries in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon. Non-alcoholic breweries are also prevalent in countries that have banned alcohol, such as Carlsberg's brewery in Saudi Arabia, which produces Moussy, a non-alcoholic brew.
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Frequently asked questions
Alcoholic libations in the Middle East are commonly referred to as "Arak".
Arak is typically made from grapes and aniseed, which gives it a distinctive licorice taste.
Arak is usually mixed with water and served over ice in small cups. The addition of water turns the clear liquor into a milky-white colour, and dilutes its high alcohol content.
Arak is distilled and consumed across a wide area in the Middle East, including Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Palestine, and Israel.
Alcohol consumption is generally prohibited in Islamic culture due to its mind-altering effects. However, there is a well-established tradition of alcohol consumption in the region, with Arak being a popular choice.
