Sawa’s iconic raisin drink stays affordable in face of inflation

SAMAWA – A cherished Samawa institution has defied rising costs for half a century. The family behind Shirbat Haji Hamad has perfected the art of making traditional raisin drink—a favorite during Ramadan across Iraq and even in Kuwait.

Risan Hamad, who now runs the shop, recalls a lifetime steeped in the family craft. “We inherited this craft from our father. We have been working with him since we were six years old, and we have continued ever since,” he told 964media. “I’ve been in this shop for 50 years, and so have my brothers, who have also opened their own shops in different areas.”

Despite soaring ingredient prices—sugar and raisins have seen dramatic cost increases since 2003—Shirbat Haji Hamad has maintained its price point. “After the fall of the regime, business picked up, and people’s purchasing power increased. But at the same time, the prices of sugar and raisins skyrocketed,” Risan explained. Yet, the shop still sells its signature raisin drink for 1,000 dinars ($0.68) per liter.

The steady pricing has made the drink a staple at iftar, when those fasting seek refreshing, energizing beverages to break their fast at sunset. The shop offers a five-liter bottle for 5,000 dinars ($3.38) and cups ranging from 250 to 500 dinars ($0.17 to $0.34). In addition to the raisin drink, the store serves Noomi Basra, a popular dried lime beverage.

Long a symbol of Samawa’s heritage, the drink’s recipe has evolved over time. Once crafted with the Sulaymaniyah variety of raisins, a shift to Uzbek raisins was necessary when the original became scarce. “Sulaymaniyah raisins used to be our main ingredient, but they are no longer available in the market, so we found a cleaner alternative—the Uzbek raisins,” Risan said.

The process has also modernized. While ice was once essential for chilling the beverage, modern refrigeration now ensures the drink remains refreshingly cool. The traditional method—soaking the raisins for hours before crushing and mixing them with sugar—continues to preserve the authentic flavor that locals and visitors have come to love.

Regular customers from Baghdad, Basra, Nasiriyah, Karbala, Najaf and even Kuwait seek out the shop’s offerings, often purchasing the drink as a thoughtful gift. “Employees from different governorates shop here. People from Baghdad, Basra, Nasiriyah, Karbala, Najaf, and even Kuwait take our raisin drink as gifts because the road is convenient,” Risan noted.