🥃 Rakı

Rakı is a Turkish aniseed spirit, most often made from grapes or raisins. Grape spirit is first fermented and distilled, then distilled again with aniseed. Strength is usually about 45%, but it is drunk diluted.

If water is poured into rakı, it turns milky white. This happens because anise oils do not dissolve well in water. In Turkey this colour is called "lion's milk". Rakı is drunk mostly at the table, with meze, fish and melon, in small portions, usually diluted with water and with ice added.

Rakı is similar to arak, which is drunk in the Middle East, and to Greek ouzo. All are aniseed drinks, but they are made under different rules. Rakı counts among grape products. It is tied to Turkish wine as a product made on the same base, and is a traditional part of Turkish table culture. Since the drink is strong, it is drunk slowly and in small amounts.