Raki (alcoholic beverage)
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| Type | Spirit |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Ottoman Empire |
| Alcohol by volume | 40–45% |
| Proof (US) | 80–90 |
| Colour | Transparent (milky white when mixed with water) |
| Ingredients | Grape pomace, Aniseed (flavouring) |
| Related products | Arak, Absinthe, Ouzo, Pastis, Sambuca |
Rakı is an unsweetened, occasionally (depending on area of production) anise-flavored, alcoholic drink that is popular in Turkey, Greece, (where it is distinctly different and comes as an unflavoured distillate, unlike its Turkish counterpart), Iran, Turkic countries, and in the Balkan countries as an apéritif. It is often served with seafood or meze. It is similar to several other alcoholic beverages available around the Mediterranean and the Middle East, e.g. pastis, ouzo, sambuca, arak, Aragh Sagi and aguardiente. In Turkey and Greece, it is considered a national drink.
The term raki entered English from Turkish rakı. The word rakı is derived from the Arabic عرق [araq], meaning distilled, other variants being araka, araki, ariki. It could also mean "essence". Araq means perspiration in Arabic, which is believed to metaphorically refer to condensation, which likely refers to the condensation that forms outside of the chilled glass, or the drop-by-drop manner in which rakı is distilled that is reminiscent of sweating, or possibly the phenomenon of unexpected sweating observed in individuals engaging in excessive rakı consumption.
In the Ottoman Empire, until the 19th century, meyhanes run by Rûm and Albanians would mainly serve wine along with meze, due to religious restrictions imposed by various sultans. Although there were many Muslims among meyhane attendants, the authorities could, at times, prosecute them. With the relatively liberal atmosphere of the Tanzimat period (1839–1876), meyhane attendance among Muslims rose considerably, and raki became a favorite among meyhane-goers. By the end of the century, raki took its current standard form and its consumption surpassed that of wine.
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