In the modern world, processed almonds are widely used to add flavor to chocolate or cake but fresh almonds taste completely different for me. Almond trees are grown all over the Aegean coast of Turkey where a small resort called Datça is famous for almonds and fresh almond products. Maybe for that reason, almond on ice is a popular street food, generally served around meyhanes (Turkish taverns), pubs or restaurants in Istanbul.
It’s a snack to go with beer or a meze (coldstarter) to go with rakı and is not served by restaurant itself but should be bought from street sellers. These fresh almonds were left in water for a few hours and served on ice. It’s my favorite when enjoying rakı with friends and generally sits on the table until the end of dinner. You can easily find a seller on Nevizade street which is full of Turkish taverns and once there give it a try and you will not regret it!