Sobia

Sobia or Subia (Arabic: سُوبْيا, romanized: Sūbyā) is a cold beverage commonly consumed in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, with each country having its own distinct version. In Egypt it is prepared from a mixture of coconut, rice, and milk, and typically served with ice. The original sobia was an alcoholic beverage made in Egypt from fermented rice water, without the inclusion of coconut, and likely dates back over 1,000 years. The modern Egyptian version, however, is a non-alcoholic, non-fermented drink that incorporates ingredients such as coconut, milk, and sometimes vanilla, which are not part of the original recipe. Sobia is one of the most popular beverages in Egypt, mostly consumed during the holy month of Ramadan.

Egyptian pilgrim caravans brought the drink to Saudi Arabia's Hijaz region centuries ago. The Saudi version is a fermented drink prepared from a mixture of wheat flour, malt, sugar, and spices.