5 Drinks You Should Try in Mongolia

1. Airag – Horse Fermented milk

If you travel to Mongolia in mid-summer or autumn, you will certainly come across this locally famous fermented mare milk called Airag. You can expect a bowl of Airag from any nomad family whom you are invited as a traditional form of hospitality Mongols are known for. Moreover, Airag is always offered a lot during the biggest festivals like Naadam Festival, Lunar New Year, and wedding ceremony etc. 

It is known that this particular drink has been used 2000 years ago. Compared to cow’s milk, there is much less fat and full of vitamin C with easy digestive properties while improving the immune system. It is considered as a traditional medicine. Airag also has detoxing effects, improve skin condition, smoothen wrinkles and improve sleep quality. However, if an individual has alcohol allergy this might work against you. 

2. Khoormog - Camel fermented milk 

This beverage is also fermented but made with Camel’s milk with full of vitamin C, B, calcium, iron, and potassium. Traditionally Mongolians offer camel milk a lot to pregnant women. Because the low fat, but calcium rich camel milk is considered to be ideal to support the healthy growth of the fetus. Camel milk contains less lactose than cow’s milk, making it more tolerable for many people with lactose intolerance. Compared to the Airag, it is thicker, sour that numb your lips and has more bubbles as if it’s carbonated. In Gobi region, the drink is common among the locals. You could also buy it in groceries in the city if you want to taste it. 

3. Sea-buckthorn juice/ tea

This is the family friendly drink that everyone likes to drink especially in winter in Mongolia. Because of its rich antioxidants this fruit is called as the king fruit by Mongolians. Since this fruit prevents you from any cold diseases and lung diseases, sea buckthorn products can be seen in grocery stores as well as pharmacies. There are various types of this fruit to be sold such as in oil, instant tea or an extract. Except Sea buckthorn, Mongolians love to drink various locally and naturally grown wild berry juices like blackcurrant, blueberry, cranberry, wild black cherry juices etc. 

4. Aarts – curd from yogurt

Aarts is one of the national dairy products. This is the best traditional beverage to fight cold and flu in cold winter. But also, you could try it in summer  as a sweet drink. Its easy to find readymade instant packets to be bought at any supermarket. Aarts is the thick piece left out from the traditional pure yogurt. People freeze them in little balls that can be used throughout the winter as iced ball is boiled with same amount of water. Aarts is directly consumed by boiling in water or in soups to produce hot beverage in cold winter.  When it is drunk frequently at night before bed, there are myriads of benefits to be experienced. 

5. Milk tea

Milk tea is another famous traditional beverage. It is more like black tea with milk and sometimes little salt is added depending on the environmental region. Since the old days Mongolians have been using milk tea to improve vitality and lessen stresses of the body. Milk tea can be made with rice, dry meat, even with animal bones filled with plenty of marrow which is full of calcium. 

Not only it is used as a staple for hot drink in the morning, but many also enjoy the drink in some foods. In the countryside you might see people making the milk tea with sheep fat or dumplings as some enjoy it fattier. People like to eat boortsog (traditional pastry) with milk tea, some even combine the two for a full lunch experience. In restaurants, locals prefer milk tea before or during the meals.