Halal drinks are beverages that abide by certain dietary laws in the religion of Islam. Most beverages are halal provided they do not contain certain additives like alcohol or pork products. Cleanliness in preparing the drinks is also important. Types of halal drinks include water, milk, and fruit or vegetable juices. Soft drinks may or may not be halal depending on specific processing standards.
Individuals in the Islamic faith typically follow a set of spiritual laws and customs known as sharia. As such, a wide variety of behaviors and objects are considered either halal or haram. The former word references something that is permissible, whereas haram refers to those things that are unlawful under sharia. Rulings about these distinction often depend on the discretion of a mujthahid, and the rulings generally derive from holy texts such as the Koran.
Food and drink are one common area of concern for individuals practicing sharia law. An individual should be familiar with what is not allowed in order to better understand things that are permissible. For example, alcohol consumption is strictly forbidden, and any product containing even slight traces of pork or birds with talons are also haram. Certain parts of animals are also restricted, including blood and marrow. In addition, the equipment used in preparing products and the methods of storage for these products should be halal and not contaminated with haram substances.
As such, processed drinks like soft drinks may or may not be considered halal drinks. If methods of preparation and storage are considered sanitary, then the beverages would be considered halal. Cleanliness includes not only considerations about the equipment and storage, but also about the sanitation of the overall environment and the cleanliness of the workers. For example, working conditions that contain dirt or vermin would make products of this environment haram, as would unhealthy or unsanitary employees. Specific ingredients used in processed drinks should be halal as well.
Water is perhaps the most widespread and basic drink for humankind, and most forms of this vital substance are halal drinks. The exceptions are if the water is polluted in some way or if it is mixed with substances considered haram. Otherwise, this natural substance is permissible.
The same considerations apply to drinks that derive from plant products. In general, any kind of plant or product is halal, except for the aforementioned pork products and products from birds with talons. As such, fruit or vegetable-based beverages — including juices — would be mostly acceptable as halal drinks.
Dairy products like milk constitute another main category of beverages, and in most cases these liquids are considered to be halal drinks. If the milk is taken from an animal that is considered halal such as a cow, then it is usually permissible to drink. Exceptions may occur if the milk-producing animal has routinely suckled milk from a haram animal like a pig. Mixing the beverage with forbidden substances such as alcohol would also harm its halal status.