🥃 Arak

Arak is a Middle Eastern aniseed spirit based on grapes. It is drunk in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and other countries of the region. If water is added, the clear drink turns white and milky.

Arak is made like this. First, grapes are distilled to give a strong spirit. Then it is distilled again together with aniseed. The anise gives the characteristic smell. The drink is strong, so it is diluted with water and ice, and a cloudiness appears because the anise oil stops dissolving. In Lebanon, arak uses the white grape Obeidi, which grows in the mountains.

Arak belongs to the aniseed drinks, similar to Greek ouzo and Turkish rakı. It is customarily served at the table with mezze: small appetisers, vegetables, hummus, fish. Arak is sipped slowly in small portions, mixed with water. The drink is tied to traditions of feasting and hospitality. It is strong and calls for caution: alcohol harms health, and mixed with food or water its strength remains high. Arak counts among grape products, but by technology it is not wine but a strong distillate.