Short answer: When the evenings cool down in Qatar, homes and majlis fill with warm drinks. Six easy favourites are saffron karak, warm milk with honey and cardamom, Arabic coffee with saffron, warm date milk, honey ginger tea and honey lemon mint tea. Each one takes about 10 minutes and uses things you probably already have.
1. Saffron karak
Boil black tea with crushed cardamom for a few minutes, add milk and sugar to taste, then a small pinch of saffron threads. Let it simmer gently until it turns golden and pour it into small cups. Our guide on using saffron in machboos, karak and Arabic coffee has more tips.
2. Warm milk with honey and cardamom
Heat a cup of milk with a pinch of ground cardamom until it is hot but not boiling. Take it off the heat, let it cool for a minute and stir in a spoon of honey. A rich honey like Sidr honey gives a deep, caramel-like taste.
3. Arabic coffee with saffron
Make your gahwa as usual with cardamom, and add a few saffron threads in the last minutes. The colour turns golden and the aroma fills the room. Serve with dates on the side, the way guests in Qatar expect.
4. Warm date milk
Soak four or five soft dates in a little hot water, then blend them with warm milk and a pinch of cardamom. It is naturally sweet, thick and comforting – a favourite with children after school.
5. Honey ginger tea
Simmer a few slices of fresh ginger in water for five minutes, pour into a cup and let it cool slightly before stirring in honey. Add a slice of lemon if you like.
6. Honey lemon mint tea
Pour hot water over fresh mint leaves and a slice of lemon, leave it for three minutes, then sweeten with a mild honey such as acacia honey.
The six drinks at a glance
| Drink | You need | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Saffron karak | Tea, milk, cardamom, saffron | 10 min |
| Honey cardamom milk | Milk, cardamom, honey | 5 min |
| Saffron Arabic coffee | Arabic coffee, cardamom, saffron | 10 min |
| Warm date milk | Dates, milk, cardamom | 5 min |
| Honey ginger tea | Fresh ginger, honey, lemon | 8 min |
| Honey lemon mint tea | Mint, lemon, mild honey | 5 min |
Three tips for the best taste
- Add honey at the end. Stir it into a warm drink, not a boiling one, so its flavour and aroma stay fresh.
- Soak saffron first. Crush two or three threads into a spoon of warm water or milk for 10 minutes before adding them.
- Match the honey to the drink. Mild honey for tea and mint, rich Sidr honey for milk and coffee.
Heading out to the desert this winter? Take these drinks with you – see what to pack for desert camping in Qatar.
Honey is not suitable for infants under 12 months.
Everything for your winter cup
Sidr honey → · Saffron → · Dates → · Cash on delivery · Delivery across Qatar · 7-day money-back · WhatsApp +974 7772 5027
Frequently asked questions
Can I put honey in boiling tea?
It is better to let the drink cool for a minute first. Honey tastes best when it is stirred into a warm drink rather than a boiling one.
How much saffron do I need for one cup?
Two or three threads are enough for a cup. Soak them in a little warm water or milk first so the colour and aroma come out.
Which honey is best for tea?
A mild honey such as acacia keeps the taste of the tea clear. For milk and coffee, a rich honey like Sidr adds more depth.
Safi Brothers Trading is a Qatar company (CR No. 203876) from a family that has been in the honey business since 1985. Our honey comes from Kashmir, Pakistan. Shop online or visit us at Ezdan Oasis, Al Wukair.
