If you’ve scrolled through Beanie Café’s specialty drink menu and stopped on “Sahlab” without knowing what it is, you’re not alone. It’s one of the least-known drinks on a menu full of familiar names like lattes and frappuccinos — and it’s also one of the most interesting.
What Sahlab Actually Is
Sahlab (sometimes spelled sahlep or salep) is a warm, thick, milk-based drink with roots across the Middle East, Turkey, and the Levant. Traditionally, it’s thickened with powder ground from the dried tuber of a wild orchid — a texture-building ingredient rather than a flavoring one. Because true orchid-root powder is scarce and heavily regulated in many places today, most modern versions (including many café preparations) use a cornstarch-based substitute to achieve the same silky, custard-like consistency, while keeping the same warm milk base, gentle sweetness, and finishing touches of cinnamon and shredded coconut.
The result is something between a hot chocolate and a thin pudding — warm, comforting, and distinctly different from a latte or a chai. It’s traditionally served in cooler months across Middle Eastern and Turkish coffeehouses, often as an evening drink rather than a morning one.
How Sahlab Differs From Hot Chocolate or Chai
The easiest comparison for anyone who hasn’t tried it: Sahlab has the warmth and comfort of hot chocolate, but without the cocoa — the flavor sits closer to sweet, cinnamon-dusted milk than chocolate. Unlike chai, there’s no black tea base and no strong spice blend; the cinnamon and coconut are a garnish, not the core flavor. The texture is the real differentiator — Sahlab is noticeably thicker than either, closer to a drinkable custard than a thin liquid.
Sahlab at Beanie Café
At Beanie, Sahlab is priced at $5.99 and sits on the Specialty Lattes section of the menu alongside The Beanie Samoa Latte and the Tiramisu Latte — even though it isn’t a latte or a coffee drink at all. Its placement there says something about how the café thinks about its drink menu: Sahlab gets the same billing as the café’s signature coffee creations, not tucked away as an afterthought.
It’s a natural pairing with Beanie’s Middle Eastern-leaning food menu — order it alongside a Basterma Platter or a plate of Koshary for a more complete taste of the menu’s non-American side. It also pairs well with lighter desserts like Tres Leches or Cakes if you want something sweet without adding more chocolate to a Sahlab-based order.
Who Should Order It
If you grew up with Sahlab, this is a chance to find an authentic version without leaving Staten Island. If you’ve never had it, it’s worth ordering as a genuine change of pace from the café’s coffee-forward menu — especially on a cooler evening, which is closer to how the drink is traditionally served.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sahlab made of?
Traditionally, dried orchid tuber powder thickened into warm milk; many modern cafés use a cornstarch-based substitute for the same texture, finished with cinnamon and shredded coconut.
How much is Sahlab at Beanie Café?
$5.99.
Does Sahlab contain coffee?
No. Despite being listed in Beanie’s Specialty Lattes section, Sahlab is a milk-based drink with no coffee or espresso in it.
Is Sahlab similar to hot chocolate?
It’s similarly warm and comforting, but without cocoa — the flavor is closer to sweet, cinnamon-dusted milk with a thicker, custard-like texture.
What food pairs well with Sahlab at Beanie Café?
The Basterma Platter, Koshary, or a lighter dessert like Tres Leches or Cakes all pair naturally with Sahlab’s Middle Eastern flavor profile.
Is Sahlab served hot or cold?
Sahlab is traditionally served warm — it’s a cool-weather drink by tradition, though you can order it at Beanie any time of year.
