Meet raki -- otherwise known as Lion's Milk -- the Turkish national drink made of twice-distilled grapes and aniseed. Raki is serious business in Turkey. It's the go-to spirit for celebrating a promotion or a birthday or for muting the pain of a job loss or the end of a relationship.
Raki, the Turkish national drink, is a clear brandy made of distilled grapes, flavored with anise. It has the licorice-y taste of ouzo and sambuca, and as with the Greek and Italian spirits, it's usually consumed simply with water and ice.
Raki — what is it? Turkish raki vodka, which is considered a national treasure, or rather, raki belongs to the category of spirits produced in the country. This type of product is distinguished by the unique aroma of anise. At home, the drink is often called “lion's milk”.
It is important that you should not mix or chase Raki with other alcoholic spirits like beer to avoid getting drunk faster. It is very traditional to chase Rakı with mineral water, turnip juice, or Turkish tea. It is a good idea that you don't gulp down your Rakı but instead get drunk slowly to savor each sip.
Raki : Benefits of drinking
Due to the presence of alcohol, it causes vasodilation and lowers blood pressure. It has antimicrobial properties, which is why it is used in many local remedies for colds, fevers, and headaches.
The Greek raki is a pomace brandy made of twice-distilled grapes and is often produced at home in villages. It does not contain anise and is commonly served cold as an apéritif with seafood and meze, usually referred to as rakomezedes, or as a complimentary digestif with spoon sweets or fruit after a meal.
First of all, Ouzo is a drink that hails from Greece, while Raki has its origins in Turkey. Yes, the distillation process for both is similar, using pulp grape to produce a distinct aniseed flavor. But, the alcoholic volumes differ. The main difference is that Raki tends to be much, much stronger than Ouzo.
Tsipouro or Raki(i): They're Both Greek Moonshine Craft Distilled in New Jersey. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. It's Greek Moonshine... and to Greek people it's best known as Tsipouro.
Here's how to drink rakı: a clear, straight, narrow glass called a kadeh is filled 1/3 or 1/2 with raki, then diluted with water and/or ice to suit the drinker's taste. (Say Tamam!,tah-MAHM, “okay,” when the waiter has poured enough water and/or ice.)
If your curious that What does raki taste like, we can described it as anise-flavoured & sweetened alcoholic beverage. It is similar to the Greek Ouzo, and Arabic Arak, but is less sweet and therefore tastes better. In Turkey it is common to call Raki as Lion's milk (Aslan Sütü).
Fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Add about 1 shot of raki (preferably grape raki). Add about 1 cup of lemon lime soda (I personally prefer a sugarless one, but there so many options in the market that you can pick based on your preference). Pour a shot of pomegranate juice over the drink.
The ouzo effect (also louche effect and spontaneous emulsification) is a milky (louche) oil-in-water emulsion that is formed when water is added to ouzo and other anise-flavored liqueurs and spirits, such as pastis, rakı, arak, sambuca and absinthe. Such emulsions occur with only minimal mixing and are highly stable.
Reiki is a meditative practice that promotes relaxation, reduces stress and anxiety, and promotes a positive mental state through gentle touch.
Tsipouro and raki / tsikoudia are best enjoyed ice cold, or even with ice. If cold enough, serve it in shot glasses, if not, in glasses just large enough to room a couple of ice cubes. In the winter, you can also enjoy it warm in the form of rakomelo (see recipe below).
Raki has an alcohol-by-volume (ABV) of 45% to 50%, so it's one of the stronger liquors, and some homemade varieties are even stronger. It's not traditional to take raki as a shot, so be prepared to sip your drink.
The food serves in part to dampen the effect of the strong spirit -- raki is about 45% alcohol.
Originally developed as an alternative to absinthe, raki — its still potent cousin — is popular in Greece, Bosnia and other Balkan countries and is called the national drink of Turkey.
The best-known rakı brand is the Yeni Rakı, but other brands are good like the Yeşil Efe (made from grapes) or the Tekirdağ Rakı. You can also try the Kulüp Rakı, the preferred brand of Atatürk, though a bit more expensive.
Raki is a strong digestive drink containing between 25% and 30% alcohol and is similar to the Italian grappa.
Whiskey and tequila, in particular, are the quickest to get drunk. You can get drunk quickly with three or more shots of alcohol, but your tolerance to alcohol varies depending on your level of intoxication. The best alcoholic drinks are those that do not taste like alcohol, such as the spritzer.
What alcohol makes you happy drunk? Men told us that wine, cocktails, and India pale ales (IPAs) made them happiest when they drank, while women said that cocktails, wine, and vodka left them with the most positive emotions.