6 Best-Known Raki & Arak Brands To Try

Much like ouzo, both raki and arak are anise-flavoured spirits with an incredible history dating back to the 9th century. The best raki and arak brands are well worth discovering, all packed with that distinct anise-flavoured liquorice kick.

Arak is the national drink of Lebanon but is also drunk in Syria, Jordan, and Iraq. The Turkish picked up on this spirit and named it raki, making it their own and spreading raki throughout their empire.

Drinking raki or arak is more of a ceremony, with drinkers adding water to produce the characteristic louching (reminiscent of ouzo or absinthe). The resulting white liquid is known as the “milk of lions” to the Lebanese.

Best Raki & Arak Brands

Here are six of the best Turkish and Lebanese raki and arak brands that encapsulate the soul of this anise-based Middle Eastern spirit.

Ingrid’s Top Pick

Conclusion

In all the societies where raki or arak are found, these drinks are a social glue, drunk at meals of tapas-like mezze. People celebrate weddings or work promotions with raki; on the flip side, they commiserate after breakups and job losses.

Although raki (and its cousin arak) may seem one-note at first sip, the best raki brands ensure subtle complexities of this superb spirit that reward exploration.

Both raki and arak form the perfect complement to spicy Middle Eastern food, the centrepiece of any social occasion, and work surprisingly well in cocktails. Try them for yourself!

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Raki & Arak Q&A

What Is Raki & Arak?

Raki and arak are both anise-flavoured grape spirits, although arak tends to be the more potent. Grapes or grape pomace (leftover skins, stalks, and seeds) are distilled into a neutral spirit and then typically re-distilled, sometimes in column stills but usually in pot stills.

Makers then mix the distillate with anise and dilute it with water before slowly re-distilling to impart those unmistakable aniseed flavours.

As raki and arak benefit from resting, distillers place the anise-flavoured spirit into clay amphorae and let it rest for several months to a couple of years before bottling it.

What Does Raki & Arak Taste Like?

Both raki and arak taste strongly of anise, or in other words, like sweet black liquorice. Depending on the brand and its production, distinct herbal or fruity overtones may be present.

What Foods Pair Best With Raki & Arak?

Raki and arak both suit strongly-flavoured foods. Indeed, raki and arak shots complement the spicy cuisine of the Middle East with their garlic, cumin, and olive oil flavours. They also work well with grilled meats and fish.

Is Raki & Arak The Same As Ouzo?

Raki, arak and ouzo are all quite similar, but don’t call one by the other’s name! The Greeks and the Turkish are bitter rivals, and suggesting that their drinks are the same is a recipe for war. While Turkish raki served as an inspiration for ouzo, there are differences.

They’re made similarly, and all are flavoured with anise. But ouzo and raki are generally no more potent than 45% ABV (with a legal minimum of 37.5%). In contrast, arak tends to be a little stronger.

Moreover, ouzo generally contains more sugar than raki and may use other spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, clove, fennel, coriander, mint, and mastic, producing a more complex flavour.

Further Reading

Below are some additional articles from The Drinks Geek blog. We write articles on several fascinating areas of drinks, including different brands, drink types, cocktail recipes and more.