Licorice Drink
The popular dark drink that tops Ramadan tables in Egypt and the Levant: an extract of natural liquorice root with a thick foam and unique sweetness. Its glycemic index is low to moderate (≈35), and its sweetness comes not from sugar but from glycyrrhizin, a natural, intensely sweet compound.
Glycemic index
Glycemic load
Calories
Protein
💡 Smart Nutritional Guidance
Consumption advice
For healthy people only: a small cold glass at iftar is refreshing and hydrating and can soothe stomach acidity; avoid drinking it repeatedly throughout the day.
Best preparation methods
Liquorice root powder is steeped with a pinch of sodium bicarbonate and pure water and strained through clean muslin; don't add white sugar, as its natural sweetness is about 50 times stronger than sugar.
Important Nutritional Note
⚠️ Very important clinical warning: glycyrrhizin affects a kidney enzyme and causes marked retention of sodium and water and loss of potassium; it must be avoided completely by people with high blood pressure, heart disease or kidney failure and during pregnancy, to prevent a dangerous rise in blood pressure.
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per typical portion (250 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 38 kcal | 95 kcal |
| Protein | 0.2 g | 0.5 g |
| Carbohydrate | 10 g | 25 g |
| Available carbohydrate | 9.7 g | 24.2 g |
| Fat | 0 g | 0 g |
| Dietary fibre | 0.3 g | 0.8 g |
The typical portion is approximate, for comparison purposes.
Comparison & smarter alternatives
Among the foods in Drinks with a glycemic index (9), it ranks 1 (lowest first). This is one of the lowest-GI foods in its group.
Smart alternatives from the same family:
Frequently asked questions
Is Licorice Drink good for weight loss?
Yes. Licorice Drink is very low in calories (38 kcal per 100 g), so you can eat a generous amount to add volume and fullness to a meal without many calories.
How does Licorice Drink affect blood sugar?
Its glycemic index is 35 (Low), a clinically reviewed estimate rather than a laboratory measurement. A typical 250 g portion has a glycemic load of 8.5 (Low), so the effect of this portion on blood sugar is limited.
What is the nutritional value of a typical portion of Licorice Drink?
A typical 250 g portion of Licorice Drink provides about 95 kcal, 0.5 g protein, 25 g carbohydrate, 0 g fat and 0.8 g fibre.
Reviewed by the WiBo Health medical team · Last reviewed 13 October 2026
Disclaimer: This guidance is for nutritional lifestyle orientation and does not constitute a diagnostic medical device under EU Regulation MDR 2017/745.