Coffee stands apart from most popular drinks as it contains caffeine, which may be forbidden under Islam. Although moderate consumption will have no adverse health effects, many Muslims worry about its impact on spirituality; some choose to abstain entirely while others limit themselves to just a few cups per week.

As people seek an alternative to their standard cup of joe, some have turned to kopi luwak or luwak coffee – an unusual drink produced from beans digested and excreted by Asian palm civets – as an option. While not a traditional beverage among Muslims, kopi luwak has created some controversy in regards to its halal status.

Producing kopi luwak requires using several ingredients, including sugar and natural flavorings, in various proportions; some are halal-certified while others could potentially contain hidden haram additives. While most experts consider it to be halal, others maintain that it should be avoided due to potential najis (impurities) risks.

To be considered halal, beverages must be free from all ingredients derived from prohibited animals or plants, including gelatin often sourced from pigs as well as mono and diglycerides (emulsifiers made from non-halal animal fats) that may also include pepsin, lipase and rennet from pigs as haram ingredients.

Halal-certified milkshake mixes can be found on the market that don’t contain any forbidden ingredients, making them an easy way to add coffee-like flavors to recipes. Unfortunately, some of these products also contain ethyl alcohol which Muslims consider forbidden and should therefore avoid these products altogether.