Lebanese White Coffee, known locally as Ahweh Bayda (قهوة بيضاء), is one of the simplest and most soothing drinks in Lebanese hospitality. Despite its name, White Coffee contains no coffee at all. It is traditionally a warm drink made with hot water and orange blossom water, sometimes sweetened with sugar or honey.

Its delicate floral aroma makes it a beautiful alternative to strong Arabic coffee, especially after a heavy meal. It is also commonly served to guests in small coffee cups, often alongside Lebanese sweets.

The drink is wonderfully simple: hot water + orange blossom water + optional sweetener.

What Is Lebanese White Coffee?

Lebanese White Coffee is a traditional Levantine herbal-style infusion made primarily from orange blossom water.

The word "coffee" refers to its role as a coffee-like after-meal beverage rather than its ingredients.

Unlike Arabic Coffee or Turkish Coffee, White Coffee:

Contains no coffee beans
Contains no caffeine
Has a clear or very pale appearance
Has a delicate floral aroma
Is usually served hot
Can be enjoyed sweetened or unsweetened

The flavor is gentle, fragrant, and slightly citrusy.

Ingredients

Makes 2 small cups

2 cups water
1–2 teaspoons Lebanese orange blossom water
1–2 teaspoons sugar, optional
Honey, optional
A few drops of rose water, optional
1 small strip of orange peel, optional

For a more traditional flavor, orange blossom water should remain the dominant ingredient.

What Is Orange Blossom Water?

Orange blossom water is a fragrant water traditionally produced by distilling the blossoms of bitter orange trees.

It has a beautiful floral aroma with subtle citrus notes.

It is widely used in Lebanese and Middle Eastern cuisine in:

Maamoul
Atayef
Baklava
Rice puddings
Milk puddings
Syrups
Cakes
Fruit desserts
Beverages

For White Coffee, choose a good-quality food-grade orange blossom water because its aroma is the main flavor of the drink.

How to Make Lebanese White Coffee

Step 1: Heat the Water

Pour 2 cups of water into a small saucepan.

Heat until the water becomes hot but does not need to reach a vigorous boil.

For the best flavor, avoid boiling the orange blossom water itself for a long time.

Step 2: Add Orange Blossom Water

Remove the hot water from the heat.

Add 1–2 teaspoons of orange blossom water.

Start with 1 teaspoon if you are unfamiliar with its strong floral flavor.

You can add more after tasting.

Step 3: Sweeten the Drink

Add sugar according to preference.

A good starting point is:

½ teaspoon per cup for lightly sweetened White Coffee
1 teaspoon per cup for a sweeter version

You can also use honey.

Stir until completely dissolved.

Step 4: Add Optional Rose Water

For a more floral version, add just a few drops of rose water.

Be careful with the quantity.

Orange blossom water has a delicate aroma, and too much rose water can overpower it.

Step 5: Serve Immediately

Pour the White Coffee into small cups.

Serve warm.

The fragrance should be noticeable as soon as the cup is brought close to your face.

The Best Ratio

A simple starting ratio is:

1 cup hot water + ½–1 teaspoon orange blossom water

Adjust the amount according to the strength of your orange blossom water and your personal preference.

Some people enjoy a very delicate floral flavor, while others prefer a much stronger aroma.

Lebanese White Coffee With Honey

Honey makes an excellent natural sweetener.

Ingredients

2 cups hot water
2 teaspoons orange blossom water
1–2 teaspoons honey

Add the honey after removing the water from the heat and stir until dissolved.

The combination of honey and orange blossom creates a gentle, naturally sweet floral drink.

White Coffee With Rose Water

For special occasions, you can combine orange blossom water with rose water.

Ingredients

2 cups hot water
2 teaspoons orange blossom water
¼ teaspoon rose water
Sugar or honey, optional

The result is more intensely floral and aromatic.

Use rose water sparingly so that it complements rather than dominates the orange blossom.

White Coffee With Orange Peel

For an additional citrus note, add a small strip of fresh orange peel to the hot water while heating.

Allow it to infuse briefly.

Remove the peel and add the orange blossom water afterward.

This creates a brighter citrus aroma while maintaining the characteristic floral flavor.

When Is Lebanese White Coffee Served?

White Coffee is particularly popular as an after-meal drink.

It can be served after:

Lebanese lunch
Family dinners
Large celebrations
Holiday meals
Coffee gatherings
Dinner parties

It is also a pleasant alternative when someone doesn't want regular coffee.

White Coffee and Lebanese Hospitality

In Lebanese homes, offering a warm drink to a guest is an important part of hospitality.

Arabic Coffee may be served when guests want traditional coffee, while White Coffee offers something much lighter and more delicate.

A small cup of White Coffee alongside a plate of sweets creates a simple and elegant hospitality tradition.

What to Serve With White Coffee

Because White Coffee is delicate, it pairs especially well with lightly sweet Lebanese desserts.

Try serving it with:

Maamoul

Date, pistachio, or walnut-filled semolina pastries.

Atayef

Soft filled pancakes traditionally enjoyed during festive occasions.

Baklava

The floral drink helps balance the richness of nuts, pastry, and syrup.

Namoura

A sweet semolina cake with syrup.

Fresh Fruit

Orange, strawberries, grapes, or melon provide a lighter pairing.

Nuts

Pistachios, almonds, and walnuts work beautifully with the floral aroma.

White Coffee vs. Arabic Coffee

Feature	Lebanese White Coffee	Arabic Coffee
Coffee beans	None	Yes
Caffeine	None	Usually contains caffeine
Main flavor	Orange blossom	Roasted coffee & spices
Color	Clear/pale	Brown/golden-brown
Cardamom	Usually no	Very common
Serving	Small cup	Small finjan
Sweetener	Optional	Optional
Typical use	After meals/relaxation	Hospitality & gatherings

The two drinks are very different despite both being called "coffee."

Tips for Perfect Lebanese White Coffee

Use good-quality orange blossom water

Since there are so few ingredients, the quality makes a major difference.

Don't use too much

Orange blossom water is concentrated. A small quantity can provide plenty of aroma.

Add it after heating

Adding orange blossom water after removing the water from the heat helps preserve its delicate fragrance.

Serve warm

White Coffee is best enjoyed soon after preparation.

Taste before adding more

Different brands of orange blossom water can vary significantly in strength.

Common Mistakes

Using too much orange blossom water

The drink can become overwhelmingly perfumed.

Solution: Start with a small amount and gradually increase it.

Boiling the orange blossom water

Long boiling can reduce its delicate aroma.

Solution: Add it after removing the hot water from the heat.

Using artificial flavoring

Artificial orange flavor doesn't provide the same floral character.

Solution: Use food-grade natural orange blossom water.

Making it too sweet

Excessive sugar can hide the subtle floral flavor.

Solution: Begin with a small amount and adjust.

Can Children Drink White Coffee?

Traditional Lebanese White Coffee contains no coffee and no caffeine, making it fundamentally different from Arabic or Turkish coffee.

However, when serving it to children, keep the drink lightly sweetened or unsweetened and make sure the orange blossom water is specifically labeled food-grade.

A Simple Everyday Version

For a quick single serving:

1 cup hot water
½–1 teaspoon orange blossom water
½ teaspoon sugar or honey, optional

Heat the water, remove it from the heat, add the orange blossom water and sweetener, stir, and serve.

The entire drink can be prepared in just a few minutes.

Festive Lebanese White Coffee

For a special family gathering, prepare White Coffee in a beautiful serving pot and offer it in small decorative cups.

A festive tray can include:

White Coffee
Maamoul
Baklava
Pistachios
Almonds
Dates
Fresh fruit

The pale, fragrant drink provides a refreshing contrast to rich Lebanese sweets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called White Coffee if there is no milk?

The name refers to the traditional coffee-like role of the drink rather than its ingredients. It does not contain coffee or milk.

Does Lebanese White Coffee contain caffeine?

No. Traditional White Coffee is made without coffee beans.

Does it contain milk?

No. Traditional Lebanese White Coffee is essentially hot water flavored with orange blossom water.

Can I drink it cold?

Yes, although the traditional preparation is served warm. A chilled orange-blossom drink can be refreshing during hot weather.

Can I use rose water instead?

Rose water creates a different floral drink. For authentic Lebanese White Coffee, orange blossom water is the defining ingredient.

Is it sweet?

It can be sweetened or served without sugar. The choice depends on personal preference.

Final Thoughts

Lebanese White Coffee is a beautiful example of how simplicity can create something memorable.

There are no coffee beans, complicated equipment, or elaborate techniques. Just hot water, fragrant orange blossom water, and optionally a little sweetness.

Its gentle floral aroma makes it particularly enjoyable after a rich Lebanese meal, while its caffeine-free nature makes it a refreshing alternative to traditional coffee.

Serve it warm in small cups with maamoul, baklava, dates, or pistachios, and it becomes more than a drink—it becomes part of the warm, welcoming character of Lebanese hospitality.