Sahlab Drink
The ultimate Arab winter warmth in a cup: a thick hot milk drink scented with mastic and orange-blossom water, topped with cinnamon, coconut and nuts. Milk sugar and starch give it a medium glycemic index (≈55) and quick energy, so the amount of added sugar needs controlling.
Glycemic index
Glycemic load
Calories
Protein
💡 Smart Nutritional Guidance
Consumption advice
Enjoy a small cup as a warm comfort drink on cold winter evenings, with extra cinnamon and raw nuts such as walnuts and pistachios to slow the absorption of the starch.
Best preparation methods
Make sahlab with natural whole milk and just a little sahlab powder or cornflour, replace the sugar with a natural sweetener, and scent it with orange-blossom water and real mastic.
Important Nutritional Note
The nuts and cinnamon on top are not just decoration; their fat and fibre help slow the absorption of the drink's carbohydrate, keeping your blood sugar balanced and your body warm.
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per typical portion (250 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 145 kcal | 362.5 kcal |
| Protein | 4 g | 10 g |
| Carbohydrate | 22 g | 55 g |
| Available carbohydrate | 21.5 g | 53.8 g |
| Fat | 4.5 g | 11.2 g |
| Dietary fibre | 0.5 g | 1.2 g |
The typical portion is approximate, for comparison purposes.
Comparison & smarter alternatives
Among the foods in Drinks with a glycemic index (9), it ranks 8 (lowest first).
Smart alternatives from the same family:
Frequently asked questions
Is Sahlab Drink good for weight loss?
It can fit a balanced plan with portion control: a 250 g portion gives 362 kcal, and what matters most is your total daily intake and the rest of the meal.
How does Sahlab Drink affect blood sugar?
Its glycemic index is 55 (Low), a clinically reviewed estimate rather than a laboratory measurement. A typical 250 g portion has a glycemic load of 29.6 (High), so it is best to reduce or split the portion and combine it with protein and fibre.
What is the nutritional value of a typical portion of Sahlab Drink?
A typical 250 g portion of Sahlab Drink provides about 362 kcal, 10 g protein, 55 g carbohydrate, 11.2 g fat and 1.2 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.