Non-alcoholic · what they actually drink here · Iraq
Iraqi Loomi Tea
Make Iraqi Loomi Tea, a non-alcoholic Iraq favorite, with exact quantities and a clear step-by-step method.
- Yield
- 1 cocktail
- Prep time
- 8 minutes
- Glassware
- Teacup
- Base
- Zero proof
Ingredients
- 8 oz (240 ml) water
- 1 dried black lime, cracked (about 0.5 oz / 14 g)
- 0.5 oz (15 ml) date syrup or sugar syrup
Garnish
Thin dried-lime wheel
How to make it
- 1Warm a teacup and crack the dried black lime so the water can reach its aromatic interior.
- 2Simmer the cracked lime in the measured water for 15 minutes, pressing it once with a spoon halfway through.
- 3Strain into the teacup and stir in the date syrup or sugar syrup while hot.
- 4Finish with a thin dried-lime wheel and serve hot.
The story behind Iraqi Loomi Tea
Loomi tea, also called chai noomi basra, is a traditional Iraqi infusion of dried black lime. Its fragrant sourness is balanced with sugar and served hot, making it a recognizable Baghdad drink without an invented alcohol story.