Drinks
Drinks in Myanmar range from traditional beverages to modern refreshments, reflecting the country’s tropical climate and cultural heritage. One of the most popular is Myanmar tea, often served strong with sweetened condensed milk in teashops. Toddy juice, made from fermented palm sap, is a traditional alcoholic drink enjoyed in rural areas. Sugarcane juice and coconut water are common street-side refreshments, especially in hot weather. Other traditional drinks include jaggery water, tamarind juice, and grass jelly drink, which are sweet, cooling, and often served chilled. These drinks not only quench thirst but also play a role in social and cultural gatherings.
Myanmar Tea
Myanmar Tea is one of the most iconic and widely consumed drinks in Myanmar. Found in every tea shop across the country, it is usually strong black tea served either plain or mixed with evaporated milk and condensed milk for a creamy, sweet taste. Drinking Lahpet Yay is more than just refreshment — it’s a social and cultural tradition, where people gather at tea shops to chat, relax, or discuss daily matters. Unsweetened versions are also commonly served for free in homes and restaurants as a gesture of hospitality.
Tamarind Juice
Tamarind Juice is a refreshing traditional drink made by soaking tamarind pulp in water and sweetening it with sugar or jaggery. Sometimes a pinch of salt is added to enhance the flavor. Served chilled, this tangy and slightly sweet beverage is especially popular during the hot summer months. It’s known not only for its refreshing taste but also for its cooling and digestive properties, making it a favorite street-side drink across Myanmar.
Myanmar Grass Jelly Juice
Myanmar Grass Jelly Juice is a popular and refreshing traditional drink, especially enjoyed during the hot season. It is made using grass jelly (a cooling black or dark green jelly derived from the mesona plant), which is cut into cubes and mixed with cold water, sugar syrup, and sometimes coconut milk or pandan flavor. This drink is slightly sweet, cooling to the body. The jelly has a smooth, bouncy texture that contrasts nicely with the sweet syrup. Grass jelly is believed to have cooling and digestive benefits.
Toddy Palm Juice (Palm Wine)
Toddy Juice is a traditional and naturally refreshing drink in Myanmar, made from the sap of the toddy palm tree. It is collected by tapping the unopened flower of the palm, allowing the sweet liquid to drip into a bamboo container. The fresh sap is sweet, cool, and it is often enjoyed as a natural energy drink, especially in rural areas. Fresh toddy juice is usually consumed early in the morning, as it starts to ferment quickly under heat and turns mildly alcoholic within a few hours.