A Beginner’s Guide to Raki, Turkey’s National Drink

A Beginner’s Guide to Raki, Turkey’s National Drink

On the last morning of a recent visit to Turkey, a local asked me if I might share with her some raki, an anise-flavored alcoholic beverage native to Turkey. I balked—after all, I’m not a big fan of licorice. But I realized this might be my last chance to try the iconic spirit on Turkish soil.

The waiter mixed the clear substance with water, giving it a milky white appearance, and handed me the cup. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it—it was much sweeter than I expected, with a slight spiciness. As we sipped and chatted about our travels, my companion explained the deeper significance of our drink: Sharing a glass of raki with someone is an important part of building relationships and community in Turkish culture. I’m certainly glad I took her up on the offer.

Of course, one doesn’t need to travel to Turkey to enjoy raki. Here, we’ve tapped a handful of drinks experts to explain the basics of the national beverage of Turkey and how to bring this beautiful tradition into your home, no matter where you live.

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What Is Raki?

Raki is a clear alcoholic beverage similar to brandy. It’s made with distilled grapes and aniseed and contains between 40% to 50% alcohol. It tastes like licorice and has a very strong aniseed scent.

The first recorded mention of a drink similar to raki dates