Boza

Boza is a velvety, lightly tangy fermented grain drink with a softly sweet, malty flavor and a pudding-like body. Finished with warm cinnamon and crunchy roasted chickpeas, it is comforting, unusual, and deeply traditional.

Nutrition · per serving

202kcal

5.2gProtein

36.8gCarbs

3.5gFat

4.8gFiber

2 servings

Ingredients

4 items

Boza and garnish

ready-made boza500 ml

roasted chickpeas (leblebi)40 g

ground cinnamon2 g

lemon juice10 ml

Tips

•For the most authentic result, use a good-quality Turkish boza from the refrigerated section or a trusted producer.
•If the boza is too thick, stir in 1-2 tablespoons of cold water per glass; if too thin, serve it extra cold, which helps it feel thicker.
•Leblebi are the classic topping and also make a pleasant crunchy snack alongside the drink.
•Boza is traditionally enjoyed in cold weather as a nourishing evening drink.

Steps

1
Chill the serving glasses if you like boza very cold. Shake or stir the ready-made boza well until fully smooth, as it naturally settles and thickens in the bottle.
500 ml ready-made boza
2
Add the lemon juice to the boza and stir gently until evenly combined. Taste; the lemon should brighten the drink slightly without making it sharp.
500 ml ready-made boza10 ml lemon juice
3
Pour the boza into 2 glasses. Leave a little space at the top for the traditional garnish.
500 ml ready-made boza
4
Top each glass with roasted chickpeas and a light dusting of ground cinnamon. Serve immediately with a spoon or straw; boza is meant to be thick, smooth, and creamy.
40 g roasted chickpeas (leblebi)2 g ground cinnamon

Origin & History

Boza is one of the oldest fermented drinks of Anatolia and the wider Balkans, with roots going back centuries. In Turkey, it is especially associated with winter and is traditionally sold by boza vendors, then served thick and cold with cinnamon and leblebi.

turkish drink fermented vegan winter millet no-cook

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Steps

Chill the serving glasses if you like boza very cold. Shake or stir the ready-made boza well until fully smooth, as it naturally settles and thickens in the bottle.

500 ml ready-made boza

Add the lemon juice to the boza and stir gently until evenly combined. Taste; the lemon should brighten the drink slightly without making it sharp.

500 ml ready-made boza10 ml lemon juice

Pour the boza into 2 glasses. Leave a little space at the top for the traditional garnish.

500 ml ready-made boza

Top each glass with roasted chickpeas and a light dusting of ground cinnamon. Serve immediately with a spoon or straw; boza is meant to be thick, smooth, and creamy.

40 g roasted chickpeas (leblebi)2 g ground cinnamon