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Rakı

Rakı is an anise-flavoured alcoholic spirit associated especially with Turkey and the Balkans.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Rakı is an anise-flavoured alcoholic spirit associated especially with Turkey and the Balkans. In modern Turkish usage, it is a grape-based distilled drink typically diluted with water, which turns it cloudy white when mixed. The word is also used more broadly in English dictionaries for related spirits in southeastern Europe and western Asia.

Definition and style

Rakı is a strong alcoholic beverage made from grape-derived distillates and flavoured with anise. In Turkish contexts, it is usually served with water, sometimes with ice, and is known for turning cloudy when diluted.

Production

Modern descriptions identify rakı as being produced from suma, a grape-based distillate, which is redistilled with anise in traditional copper stills. Turkish standards require a minimum alcohol content and specify production rules for the drink.

Cultural significance

Rakı is widely regarded as Turkey’s national drink and is strongly linked to social meals, especially those featuring meze. It also appears in broader Balkan and eastern Mediterranean drinking traditions under related names.

The English word “raki” is derived from Turkish rakı, with deeper roots traced through Ottoman Turkish and Arabic forms. Similar beverages are sometimes called rakia, rakija, ouzo, or arak depending on region and tradition.

Key facts

  • Rakı is a clear spirit flavoured with anise.
  • It is commonly made from grape pomace or other grape-based distillates.
  • Diluting rakı with water produces a cloudy white appearance.
  • It is widely associated with Turkish drinking culture and meze meals.
  • English dictionaries also use “raki” for similar spirits from southeastern Europe and western Asia.
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Canadian context

Canadian readers may encounter rakı in restaurants, liquor imports, and discussions of Turkish and Balkan cuisine and drinking customs in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What is rakı?
Rakı is an anise-flavoured alcoholic spirit, most closely associated with Turkey.
Why does rakı turn white when water is added?
The drink becomes cloudy when diluted because its anise oils emulsify in water.
What is rakı made from?
It is typically made from grape-based distillates, especially suma, and flavoured with anise.
Is rakı the same as raki in other countries?
The term is used for similar spirits across southeastern Europe and western Asia, but recipes and names vary by region.
How strong is rakı?
Turkish standards cited in available sources say it must be at least 40% alcohol by volume.
What is rakı usually served with?
It is commonly served with water and often alongside meze or other shared dishes.

References

  1. Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries — https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/raki
    Supports: General definition of raki as a strong alcoholic drink from eastern Europe and the Middle East; word origin from Turkish rakı.
  2. Dictionary.com — https://www.dictionary.com/browse/raki
    Supports: Definition of raki as a spirituous liquor and etymology through Ottoman Turkish and Arabic.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rak%C4%B1
    Supports: Modern description of rakı as a twice-distilled grape pomace spirit flavoured with anise; Turkish standard and legal definition details.
  4. Wine Enthusiast — https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/spirits/raki-drink-guide/
    Supports: Overview of rakı as Turkey’s national drink, production from grapes and anise, and common serving practices.