Top 22 African Non-alcoholic Beverages

Maghrebi mint tea is the most common term used to denote the generously sweetened combination of green tea and fresh spearmint. The consummation of mint tea is common to the Maghrebi region of North Africa, but it is strongly associated with Morocco. It is traditionally prepared in berrad teapots, in which the tea is first steeped to produce the so-called spirit that is saved for later use. The leaves are washed and are then brewed with the addition of the tea spirit and water. Optionally, other types of herbs can be used instead of spearmint, and they can be put inside the teapot or directly into cups. In Morocco, Maghrebi tea is associated with social gatherings and is the ultimate sign of hospitality.Expand

Jus de bissap is an aromatic, slightly sour beverage that is the national drink of Senegal. It is made from dried flowers of Hibiscus sabdariffa that are combined with hot water and flavorings (usually sugar). This refreshing beverage is typically served chilled, sometimes over ice. It is recommended to pair it with thieboudienne, the national dish of Senegal.Expand

Rooibos is a South African plant whose leaves are commonly used for brewing tea. Originally, it was an inexpensive alternative to the European black tea. The name rooibos means red bush, referring to the plant's visual characteristics. Today, rooibos is mostly used for the preparation of tea, iced tea, and even red espresso, while its anti-aging and health benefits have been keeping the plant in the spotlight since the 18th century.Expand

Khoudenjal is a spice infusion that is often dubbed as Morrocan spiced tea. The drink is made with a spice blend steeped in water. The most common spices in the mix include cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, galangal, pepper, madder root, and nutmeg, but the exact ingredients can vary and usually differ among the street vendors. The drink is aromatic and spicy, and it is generally enjoyed as a warming wintertime drink. It is mainly sold at street stalls, especially on the markets and other frequented locations. Expand

Sobolo (also known as hibiscus tea) is a refreshing drink native to Ghana. It can be made from either roselle leaves or flowers, a species of hibiscus that is native to West Africa. The leaves or flowers are steeped in hot water, and once the water has turned red, the water is strained, sweetened, and left to cool. Sobolo is typically dark purple-red in color, and the flavor can be described as something between grape and cranberry juice. It has numerous health benefits - it lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels, but it also helps with weight loss.Expand

Hailing from Egypt, sobia is a refreshing rice-based drink that blends coconut milk, sugar, and ground rice. It is usually flavored with vanilla, and it can also be made with cooked rice. The ingredients are blended, and before serving, the drink is strained and should always be well chilled. Sobia is a sweet drink with a somewhat thick texture. The standard version has an off-white color, but some opt to add various food colorings to create brightly colored drinks. Sobia is enjoyed all year round, but it is traditionally prepared for Ramadan and served as a fast-breaking beverage. It is commonly made at home, sometimes with pre-mixed powders, but it is mostly sold by street vendors and comes packed in bottles or plastic bags. Saudi Arabian sobia does not have much in common with the Egyptian version—it is heavily spiced and based on cereals, but it is also commonly enjoyed for Ramadan. Expand

Often dubbed as the original ice coffee, mazagran consists of strong coffee that is poured over ice. The drink is usually served in a tall, narrow glass or an eponymous glass made from porcelain or clay. The name supposedly derives from Mazagran—a port city in Algeria—which was granted to France by the Treaty of Tafna in 1837. It is not clear how and exactly when the drink first originated, but it is assumed that French troops located in Mazagran drank a similar combination of coffee and water to beat the heat and because sugar and water were not available. The drink later spread primarily to France, while similar and more common versions also exist in Portugal and Austria. In France, where it is usually served with a lemon slice, the drink is nowadays rarely found. Expand

Amasi is a traditional fermented milk beverage containing numerous valuable probiotics, which is one of the reasons for its popularity. It has a thick and creamy texture, while the flavor is tart and milky, with some describing it as a mix between yogurt and cottage cheese. Besides probiotic bacteria, amasi is also a great source of protein, calcium, iron, and magnesium. It can be drunk on its own, or combined with honey and fruit for extra sweetness.Expand

Asaana is a caramelized corn drink, very common and popular in South Ghana. Crushed corn is soaked for three days until it's fermented, it is then cooked for 30 to 40 minutes until the foam on top has dried. The corn is strained, and the water in which the corn was cooking is poured into a pot with caramelized sugar, then stirred and allowed to cool down.Expand

Zobo, also known as zoborodo, is a Nigerian beverage made from dried roselle leaves, a species of hibiscus.The name changes depending on the country, in the Caribbean it is called sorrel, while in Sudan it is called karkade. It is made with water, dried roselle leaves, garlic, ginger, and pineapple, and can be used to regulate blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, reduce stress.Expand

Gesha Village Coffee Estate – Redefining Excellence in Coffee Cultivation Gesha Village Coffee Estate is a world-renowned coffee farm located in western Ethiopia, near the border with South Sudan, in a region known for its lush forests and rich biodiversity. Founded in 2011 by Rachel Samuel and Adam Overton, who transitioned from careers in photography and documentary filmmaking to coffee farming, Gesha Village is dedicated to preserving and elevating the legacy of Ethiopian coffee. Spanning 471 hectares, with 341 hectares dedicated to coffee cultivation and 27% of the land preserved for natural conservation, the estate is home to over 730,000 coffee trees. Gesha Village is best known for cultivating Gesha 1931, a variety traced back to the nearby Gori Gesha forest, where the legendary Gesha variety was originally discovered. The estate employs meticulously controlled processing methods, including both natural and washed techniques, resulting in coffees with exquisite flavor profiles characterized by jasmine, brown sugar, and raspberry notes. Beyond coffee production, Gesha Village is committed to sustainability and community development, as demonstrated by the establishment of the first high school in the area in 2021, providing essential educational opportunities for local families. The estate has gained global recognition, achieving record-breaking auction prices, including a remarkable $105 per pound, the highest price ever paid for an African coffee. Their mission is to connect the world to Ethiopia through an exceptional coffee experience while preserving the environment and improving the livelihoods of the surrounding community.Expand

Ngororero Coffee Washing Station is owned and operated by Rwacof Exports Ltd, a subsidiary of the global trading company Sucafina. Rwacof is one of the largest coffee processors and exporters in Rwanda, with significant investments in the coffee sector, including operations at 22 out of the country’s 300 coffee washing stations. Ngororero focuses primarily on fully washed coffee processing, while also experimenting with honey and natural processing in smaller quantities. After purchasing ripe coffee cherries from farmers, a strict selection process is conducted, which includes flotation to remove lower-quality cherries and visual inspection by trained staff. Following this, the cherries are pulped, fermented, and dried on raised beds, with regular sorting to ensure consistent quality.Expand

Founded in 1965, Karatu Coffee Factory is a renowned processing facility located in the heart of Kiambu County, Kenya, near the town of Gatundu. The factory operates under the Gitwe Farmers Co-operative Society Ltd and collaborates with approximately 800 small-scale farmers from the villages of Karatu, Gitwe, Kibiru, and Kigaa. Each of these farmers cultivates an average of 150 coffee trees, following traditional methods that ensure premium quality. Karatu Factory is well known for its wet processing methods, which enhance the coffee's unique flavor and aroma. Karatu Coffee Factory is a symbol of quality, tradition, and sustainability – a true experience of exceptional Kenyan coffee.Expand

Satemwa Tea Estate is a family-owned tea and coffee plantation located in the beautiful Malawi. Established in 1923, Satemwa is now in its third generation of tea and coffee cultivation, making it one of the oldest and most renowned producers in the region. The estate is dedicated to preserving tradition while embracing innovations in production, with a clear focus on sustainability, quality, and social responsibility. Satemwa is known for its passion for producing premium teas, including black, green, white, oolong, and dark teas. Their offerings also include specialized, hand-crafted blends that have been carefully curated through a meticulous production process. Teas from Satemwa are characterized by rich flavors, complex aromas, and exceptional freshness, making them the perfect choice for true tea connoisseurs. In addition to producing high-quality tea, Satemwa is committed to sustainable practices. Their approach includes ecological responsibility in every step of production, from organic tea cultivation to minimizing environmental impact. Thanks to their dedication to quality and sustainability, Satemwa has gained a reputation not only in Malawi but also on the international stage. Their teas and coffee meet high standards and are often found in specialized stores and restaurants around the world.Expand

Kesh Kesh Coffee Roastery is a specialty roastery and café that blends East African coffee tradition with a modern quality-driven approach. Based in Nairobi and built on more than fourteen years of experience in sourcing, roasting, and preparing Arabica beans, the brand draws inspiration from the Eritrean coffee ceremony - its name refers to the traditional pan-roasting of green beans - while interpreting it through contemporary roasting techniques and defined profiles such as their medium and dark roasts. Within their café, guests can experience both traditional and modern brewing methods in a relaxed, work-friendly setting that also offers food and home-barista equipment. Kesh Kesh positions itself as a meeting point of culture, craft, and specialty standards, with a strong emphasis on ethical sourcing, freshness, and the authentic expression of East African coffee.Expand

Sultan Tea is a Moroccan tea brand established in 1936, recognized as one of the longstanding names in Morocco’s tea market. The brand is closely associated with the country’s tea culture, particularly the tradition of preparing green tea with mint, a beverage that holds strong social and ceremonial significance in Moroccan daily life. Sultan Tea produces a range of green teas, black teas, and herbal infusions, with a focus on flavor profiles suited to traditional Moroccan tea preparation. The company highlights its own production facilities in Morocco, allowing greater control over sourcing, blending, and packaging. Its portfolio includes classic green teas, mint tea preparations, flavored blends, and wellness-oriented herbal infusions. Sultan Tea combines traditional tea expertise with modern manufacturing practices while maintaining a strong connection to Moroccan tea heritage. Beyond being a commercial tea brand, it represents an important part of Morocco’s hospitality culture, where tea serves as a symbol of welcome and social connection. Today, the brand is also present in international markets, positioning itself as an ambassador of Moroccan tea tradition.Expand

Kericho Gold is a premium Kenyan tea brand established in 2002, owned by Gold Crown Beverages, part of the Global Tea & Commodities group. The brand is closely associated with the Kericho region, one of Kenya’s most renowned tea-growing areas, known for its high-altitude plantations, fertile volcanic soils, and favorable equatorial climate for tea cultivation. Kericho Gold sources its teas from selected Kenyan estates, with a focus on delivering strong flavor, rich aroma, and consistent cup quality. Its best-known profile is full-bodied black tea, characterized by a bright golden-copper infusion, lively freshness, and a clean, robust finish typical of high-grown Kenyan teas. Beyond classic black tea, the portfolio includes green teas, fruit and herbal infusions, wellness blends, flavored teas, and premium pyramid tea bag selections. The brand emphasizes traditional harvesting practices, often highlighting the use of the “two leaves and a bud” standard associated with higher-quality tea production. Kericho Gold was developed as a modern Kenyan tea brand with strong export ambitions, combining authentic origin with contemporary presentation and international accessibility. Its identity is rooted in showcasing pure Kenyan tea character rather than masking the natural profile of the leaf. Compared with many traditional British or Ceylon tea brands, Kericho Gold more explicitly centers its African provenance as a defining part of its positioning. Today, it is regarded as one of the most recognizable premium tea brands to emerge from Kenya.Expand