Şalgam or Şalgam Suyu In translation means "turnip juice" is a popular beverage from southern Turkey's cities of Adana and Mersin. Although the Turkish word şalgam literally means "turnip", şalgam is made with the juice of red carrot pickles, salted, spiced, and flavoured with aromatic turnip (çelem) fermented in barrels with the addition of ground bulgur.
Hot paprika relish is added just before drinking.
Şalgam is often served with the alcoholic drink rakı—not mixed, but rather in a separate glass. While şalgam is commonly recommended as a cure for hangovers, consuming excess amounts may cause bloating.
The name şalgam is Persian in origin; in Persian it is written and means "turnip" (Brassica rapa).
Şalgam, has been celebrated as a festival in Adana since 2010. Adana Kebap ve Şalgam Festival, emerged from a hundred year tradition of enjoying kebab, with liver, şalgam and rakı. The event turned into a nationwide popular street festival, street musicians playing drums and zurna, entertain visitors all night long at the second Saturday night of every December.