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The Maldives is unique. It never fails to surprise visitors when they least expect it. Home to beautiful atolls and welcoming residents, there is much to discover here, even if you visit the country for a short time.
Moreover, this island nation’s specialties don’t start and end with its resorts, which seem to be in the news all the time – for good reasons, of course. In fact, the Maldives is matchless, be it in for its exclusive accommodations, modes of transport, and various activities that tourists can enjoy.
The same is visible in the food choices available throughout the archipelago. In the Maldives, you get the most delectable preparations made using limited local ingredients. Simultaneously, tourists can feast like royals at resorts that serve gourmet meals in some of the most spectacular restaurants in the world.
This diversity in choices continues when we talk about drinks in the Maldives. Since the nation is a conservative Muslim country, alcohol is only allowed on private islands or liveaboard boats. Even with these limitations in place, travelers have a fair amount of beverage options. Among them all, here are the ten must-have drinks in the Maldives.
Bottled water
Bottled water might seem like an odd choice for a must-have drink. That’s because you don’t really have a choice. See, the Maldives does not have any natural source of water. As a result, the liquid that comes out of its taps is desalinated seawater. While not harmful and ideal for brushing your teeth, gargles, and taking a bath, it isn’t the best for drinking on a daily basis.
With the archipelago having tropical hot and humid weather, water is essential to stay hydrated. Therefore, bottled water is your only alternative. Locals usually purchase 5lt or bigger bottles for home use. For tourists, resorts offer two to four one-liter mineral water bottles per day. If you want more, you have to buy it.
Growing concerns over plastic pollution on the islands make it crucial to be a sustainable traveler and adequately dispose of these bottles. Also, since resorts now have water filtration plants, opt for refillable glass bottles over their plastic counterparts.
Fresh fruit juice
Although you will find bottled versions of juices on the islands, nothing beats the health benefits of freshly squeezed fruit juice. Whether you are on a retreat or a public island, try and go with in-season fruit.
Papaya, pineapple, watermelon, and mango are among the favorites with locals and visitors. Lime juice, when served with soda or water in a sweet or salty concoction, is a popular refresher.
Coke
We know. First, it was water and now Coca-Cola! We seem to be mentioning standard beverages available everywhere in the world. So, we better tell you why Coke is a drink you have to try in the Maldives.
The main reason is that the Maldives is the only place globally where the production of Coca-Cola uses desalinated water. Many say that Maldivian Coke has a “different” taste, and it is less sweet than “regular” Coke.
There is a Coca-Cola factory, open to visitors, in Thulusdhoo. And if you enjoy riding the waves, one of Maldives’ most famous surf breaks, Cokes, named after the factory, is near the island.
Coconut water
Water might be a luxury, but coconut water is a readily available must-have drink in the Maldives. There are, after all, palm trees everywhere you look on an island. Furthermore, coconut water is known for its antioxidant properties and is excellent for digestion and hydration.
But before you go looking for bottled coconut water, stop! The “right” way to drink coconut water in the Maldives is directly from the fruit. On inhabited islands, you’ll find makeshift stalls near beaches selling coconut water. When you order one, they remove the shell, pop in a straw, and the entire coconut becomes your glass. It’s authentic, it’s fun, and it’s certainly a must-have drink in the Maldives.
Ruku Raa
A must-try drink in the Maldives is Raa. A regional specialty, Raa is toddy procured from near the oldest flowers of the palm tree. Most Maldivians like to drink it fresh. Others might ferment it a little, which makes it ever-so-slightly alcoholic in nature.
Although palm trees are everywhere, each island has a designated toddy-tapper. The process of collecting the toddy, which has a lingering sweet taste, is done in the morning. Showcasing Maldivian ingenuity, the collected sap isn’t just for drinking. Residents often boil it to make dhiyaa hakuru, sugar in a liquid form, also known as Maldivian honey.
Sai (Tea)
Maldivians drink copious amounts of tea every day. It is the nation’s beverage that perfectly complements hedikaa, small snacks that locals have in the evening. Most residents drink black tea, known regionally as kalhu sai. Add milk, and it becomes kiru sai.
Remember that you only get powdered milk in the Maldives because there are no cows in the country. Moreover, among the hip residents of Malé, flavored tea is slowly becoming trendy. On resorts, though, you can generally find a wide variety of tea options.
Coffee
The latest in fashion and trends isn’t just limited to the private islands. In the nation’s capital, one can witness a growing contemporary atmosphere, most evident through its emerging café culture.
Coffee isn’t a recent addition to the beverage scene of the Maldives. Nevertheless, the newer cafes are more experimental, whether with the coffee beans they source or their drinks. That is why coffee in its island avatar is a must-try drink in the Maldives.
Moreover, thanks to these hip establishments, drinking coffee is no longer a mundane experience. Cafes and restaurants in Malé aim to create an alluring atmosphere accentuated by modern design and style. The best places to have coffee in and around Malé are Jazz Café, Meraki Coffee Roasters, and Family Room Café.
Non-alcoholic beer
While there is no alcohol on inhabited islands, non-alcoholic beer is a commonly consumed beverage. You’ll find it mainly in Malé and some of the bigger and busier public islands. Equally liked by locals, non-alcoholic beer is a good enough alternative if you ever have an unavoidable beer craving.
Cocktails and mocktails
Like wine and beer, you will find hard liquors like rum, tequila, whiskey, and vodka readily on private resorts. However, what’s the point of being in a tropical paradise if you don’t have vivid, refreshing, and happiness-inducing cocktails and mocktails.
Resort islands often employ the very best of bartenders in the world. Trained to serve the most exotic concoctions, they even make bespoke cocktails based on guest preferences. Additionally, every resort bar has signature cocktails.
But if you are looking for must-try drinks in the Maldives, don’t forget to drink the following cocktails and mocktails;
Maldivian Lady – A colorful cocktail with white rum, grenadine, pineapple juice, and apricot brandy.
Sting Ray – Served in a martini glass, this cocktail has vodka, Tia Maria, and Bailey’s.
Biyadhoo Special – A local cocktail invention with mixed pineapple juice with vodka.
Raa Atoll Classic – A doozy of a cocktail with white rum, dark rum, orange juice, lime juice, and brandy.
Maldivian Sunset – Three simple ingredients, grenadine, orange juice, and tequila, give a punch to this exquisite cocktail!
Fruit Punch – Every resort will have its own version but expect a fruit punch to include different fresh juices mixed with grenadine.
Virgin Mojito – Mint, lime, sugar, and soda, a virgin mojito is a classic!
Coconut Kiss – A tasty tropical mocktail, Coconut Kiss has orange juice, pineapple juice, and coconut cream.
Beer and wine
Resorts in the Maldives have permission to serve alcohol to their guests. Consequently, beer and wine are the two most frequently ordered drinks. Since private retreats cater to a wide range of requests, they all carry an extensive range of beers, from Carlsberg, Corona, and San Miguel to Tiger, Erdinger, Heineken, and so on.
The availability of wine, on the other hand, differs from island to island. Some resorts might only have a few red, white, and rosé wines. But then, some retreats take great pride in their wine collection, having temperature-controlled cellars stocked with thousands of bottles. If you are a wine connoisseur, it is worth asking the resort about their selection before booking a villa in the Maldives.
