Marrakech has a way of keeping your senses on full alert. Between wandering through the medina, browsing colorful souks, and soaking up that bright North African sun, you’ll find yourself craving something cool and refreshing more often than not. Luckily, Morocco has a whole menu of drinks that go beyond your standard bottled water.
From sweet teas to creamy blends, sipping your way through the city is an experience in itself. Here are five drinks you definitely need to try while you’re here.
1. Mint Tea (Atay b’naana)
Yes, it’s hot, but it’s also the drink you’ll be offered everywhere you go — and trust me, it works its magic in any weather. Mint tea isn’t just about quenching thirst. It’s a ritual, a symbol of welcome, and probably the most iconic taste of Morocco.
The base is strong green tea, loaded with fresh mint leaves and sweetened with more sugar than you might expect (don’t worry, you’ll get used to it). What makes it special is the way it’s poured: from a height, into small glass cups, so the tea forms a light foam on top. It’s as much about the performance as the flavor.
Tip: Accept it whenever it’s offered. Even if you only sip, you’re sharing a moment. And after a long walk through the souks, there’s nothing more soothing than sitting down with a glass of this fragrant, slightly sweet pick-me-up.
2. Fresh Orange Juice
If there’s one thing Marrakech does better than almost anywhere else, it’s fresh orange juice. You’ll spot juice stalls lined up around Jemaa el-Fna square, where vendors proudly squeeze it right in front of you. For just a few dirhams, you’ll get a glass of sunshine — sweet, tangy, and unbelievably refreshing.
Moroccan oranges are naturally rich and flavorful, so you don’t need added sugar. The taste is pure and bright, the perfect antidote to the city heat. You might even find yourself coming back for a second (or third) glass during the day.
Tip: Look for stands where they squeeze the oranges on the spot and serve it chilled. It’s a small thing, but it makes all the difference.
3. Avocado Smoothie
This one might surprise you, but avocado juice is a local favorite — and nothing like the smoothies you might know back home. In Marrakech, avocados are blended until creamy, usually mixed with milk and just enough sugar to make it taste almost like a dessert.
Some cafés take it up a notch by adding nuts, dates, or even a drizzle of honey on top. The result is thick, filling, and surprisingly refreshing for such a rich drink. It’s the kind of thing you’ll order once out of curiosity, and then find yourself craving again before you leave.
Tip: If you want to try a lighter version, ask for less sugar — most cafés will happily adjust it for you.
4. Panaché
Panaché is what happens when Moroccan cafés decide to throw half the fruit basket into a blender. The base is often orange juice, mixed with avocado, bananas, apples, or whatever’s freshest that day. Sometimes you’ll even find it layered, with different colors stacked in stripes across the glass.
It’s sweet, it’s colorful, and it feels more like a treat than just a drink. Panaché is perfect if you can’t decide on just one flavor — or if you want something a little playful to sip on while people-watching from a café terrace.
Tip: Ask the waiter what’s in their version that day. No two places make panaché exactly the same, which is part of the fun.
5. Khoudenjal (Spiced Herbal Tea)
Not all Moroccan drinks are about fruit or sweetness — sometimes they’re about spice. Khoudenjal is a traditional herbal tea made with cinnamon, ginger, cloves, cardamom, and other warming spices. It’s served hot, and while you might not expect to drink something steaming in Marrakech heat, locals swear by it.
It’s refreshing in a different way: instead of cooling you down, it wakes up your senses and leaves you feeling balanced. It’s especially popular in winter, but you’ll find it year-round in traditional cafés.
Tip: If you’re a fan of chai, you’ll probably love khoudenjal. It’s Morocco’s answer to spiced tea, with its own unique twist.
Parting Note
Exploring Marrakech isn’t just about what you see — it’s about what you taste. These five drinks are more than thirst-quenchers; they’re little windows into daily life. Whether it’s sharing mint tea, sipping fresh orange juice in Jemaa el-Fna, or treating yourself to a colorful panaché, each glass has its own story.
So when you’re here, don’t just grab water and move on. Pause, sip slowly, and let these flavors become part of your memory of Marrakech. After all, sometimes the simplest moments — like a cool drink on a hot day — end up being the ones you remember most.
And if you’d like to taste a few of these the way locals enjoy them, join us on our Authentic Marrakech Food Tour. It’s the perfect way to sip, snack, and explore the city all at once.