Green Bodrum Mandarin Cocktail Festival

The story of the Bodrum mandarin is linked to the commercial and cultural ties between the two shores of the Aegean Sea. Accounts of the mandarin’s first arrival in Bodrum point specifically to the island of Kalimnos (Kilimli), which today lies within Greek territory. According to information relayed in local sources, mandarin saplings were brought from this island to Bodrum in the second half of the 1940s and gradually became widespread across the peninsula.
A particularly striking aspect of this story is the manner in which the saplings reached Bodrum. It is said that a merchant named Kosmos, who lived on Kalimnos before the Second World War, owed a debt to the Nalbant family in Bodrum; after the war, he offered to settle his debt with mandarin saplings. Thus, the arrival of the saplings in Bodrum is remembered not so much as a routine agricultural transaction, but rather as a result of the commercial ties between the two coasts. However, as this account is based on local historical sources, it should not be regarded as an officially verified historical record.
Between 1947 and 1950, some growers in Bodrum began planting mandarin saplings in their gardens and fields. At that time, the production of figs, tobacco, almonds and cereals was widespread in the region. However, a decline in income from figs and restrictions on tobacco production led farmers to seek new sources of income. The mandarin became one of the significant outcomes of this search.
The year 1951 marks one of the key turning points in the history of commercial production of Bodrum mandarins. It is reported that in Ortakent – formerly known as Müsgebi – the grower Ömer Aras began by cultivating 125 native mandarin saplings and expanded his cultivation, adding various other citrus varieties to his production in subsequent years. Thanks to Aras’s efforts, the mandarin orchards expanded and citrus cultivation in Bodrum became a more robust economic activity.
By the 1960s, mandarin production had secured a significant place in Bodrum’s economy. The fruit was shipped to other regions, and the orchards bustled with activity during harvest time. The mandarin had become not only a source of livelihood for growers but also a product that contributed to Bodrum’s reputation.
However, from the 1980s onwards, with the growth of tourism and increased urbanisation, some mandarin orchards began to decline. This situation made the preservation of Bodrum’s agricultural heritage a matter of great importance.
As a result of efforts undertaken to preserve the distinctive character of the Bodrum mandarin, the product became the subject of a geographical indication application in 2009; the official registration record lists the date of registration as 20 November 2012. Thus, the name of the Bodrum mandarin and its association with the region where it is grown were officially protected.
Today, the Bodrum mandarin is one of Bodrum’s key symbols, thanks to its distinctive aroma and its wide range of uses, from jam and lemonade to cologne and other local products. Its story recounts how a journey that began with saplings from Kalimnos was transformed into a local cultural heritage through the hard work of the growers.
Preserving the mandarin orchards therefore means not only safeguarding an agricultural product, but also keeping Bodrum’s past and identity alive.

To keep alive the story and cultural heritage of the Bodrum mandarin, which has taken root in the fertile soils of the Aegean, we gather with our guests each year in the magical world of the mandarin.
We held the second edition of the Green Bodrum Mandarin Cocktail Festival—which we first organized on September 25, 2025—on September 25, 2026.
The sweet aroma of mandarin-glazed cakes specially prepared by our chefs, the refreshing taste of Bodrum Mandarin Soda produced right here in Bodrum, and the colorful presentations of our carefully crafted mandarin cocktails add a unique charm to our festival.
At Parkım Ayaz Hotel, the mandarin is more than just a fruit; it is a symbol of sharing, happiness, and our love for Bodrum.
With our now-traditional Mandarin Festival, we crown the beautiful memories of summer with a sweet aroma every year.
Through our Mandarin Festival, held annually on September 25, we aim to introduce our guests to the unique Bodrum mandarin—one of Bodrum’s geographically protected treasures—and to raise awareness of this prized delicacy by sharing its distinctive aroma and cultural heritage.
At Parkım Ayaz Hotel, the scent of mandarins transforms into happiness, and their flavor into unforgettable memories!