Adding water turns the drink to its characteristic milky color and also inhibits the film effects of the ice alone. When you drink Arak, it is necessary to dilute it with water and serve it over ice to get the best flavor and to make the drink a bit less harsh. The Crystal clear Arak turns milky white when water is added to it in the portion of 30% Arak and 70% water, or 50% Arak and 50% water depending on each one’s own taste. The anise flavor is usually still so strong that it can be difficult to identify the fruit flavors. There is a large family of alcohol beverages that is comprised of anise-based drinks. It originates from the Levant (i.e. Using Anise Seed to Spice Your Baked Goods and More, An A to Z List of Popular Liqueurs and Cordials. She has been named Australian Bartender Magazine's Top 100 Most Influential List since 2013, has judged over 30 cocktail competitions, was nominated in Icons of Whisky Australia 2020, is an Australian International Spirits Competition Judge and is published in several media. Listen to the audio pronunciation of Arak (drink) on pronouncekiwi. pronouncekiwi - How To Pronounce Arak (drink) pronouncekiwi. Depending on the region where it is made, some Arak variations also contain dates, sugar, plums, figs, and molasses. Depending on the brand and production details, the taste can range from herbal and grassy to fruity and anise-flavored. It is served before and during the meal and symbolizes a relaxed approach to drinking and eating. Get easy-to-follow, delicious recipes delivered right to your inbox. The main mixer in this cocktail is fresh coconut water or coconut water cubes. Believe it or not (but believe it…) this is a word I heard for the first time from Ramzi Ghosn, CEO and Winemaker of Massaya & Co. from the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon. In addition, it may also be found at local liquor stores in neighborhoods with a high concentration of people with Middle Eastern descent. The Aliya cocktail is a classic, as ancient as the old kings of Sri Lanka. Do not consume as part of a meal. Arak is a clear, distilled, high proof and anise-flavoured spirit that has its origins from Levantine countries. How to drink Arak. Making arak is quite a long process. Native to Lebanon originally, Arak is also the signature drink around parts of Syria, Iran, Iraq, Israel, and Jordan. Arak goes hand in hand with these mini appetizer meals so so well that in the case of a dinner party or restaurant, the main dish is often hardly touched. When creating cocktails or mixed drinks with Arak, it's typical to use citrus such as lemon or orange since they go well with the natural anise flavor of the spirit. Fresh, green aniseed is added to the mixture of spirto and water, in either the second or third distillation. Therefor the quality is much higher then the finest commercial Arak. Arak.. Arak is the national alcoholic drink of Lebanon. The reason for the unusual pouring distinction is that if ice is added after, it causes an unpleasant film to produce on the top of the liquid. With its dominant aniseed flavour, it is rarely used in cocktails. Heavy drinking makes someone lose consciousness as well as control over themselves. Arak or araq (Arabic: ﻋﺮﻕ) is a Levantine unsweetened distilled spirit (≈40–63% alc/vol or ≈80–126 proof ) in the anise drinks family. En Iran, l’aragh désigne le jus de raisin fermenté distillé en eau-de-vie, et plus généralement, toutes les boissons distillées en eau de vie (aragh-e sagui, عٓرٓقِ سٓگى , suée de chien) qu'on trouve très facilement. Additionally, when other types of fruit are added to the production, different flavors and types of arak are produced. Arak is regulated in Lebanon and must come from white grapes (Obeidi & Merweh), be triple-distilled in a pot still before it’s diluted to around 53% ABV then left to age for a minimum of one year in clay. Pronunciation of arak with 2 audio pronunciations, 8 synonyms, 1 meaning, 3 translations, 9 sentences and more for arak. The spirit is mixed in small glasses with cold water and ice. Traditionally, the drink is served with mezze, or small bits of food, which the guests consume to help deal with the potency of the alcohol. Arak is the strongest of the anise-flavored spirits and has no added sugar. Arak has a particularly high alcohol content, so water and ice are almost always added to dilute it. Usually the preparation of Arak is kind of celebrated with a party, lot's of amazing Lebanese food, lot's of drinking and socializing. TAANAYEL, Lebanon (AP) — Every part of Lebanon's national drink, arak, is infused with tradition — from distilling the aniseed-tinged liquor to the ritual of mixing it at the table, when the transparent liquid suddenly turns milky white as water is added. With a … If you like the taste, try these drinks with similar flavor profiles: Some of the more popular brands of arak producers include: Arak can be purchased in the United States in many Middle Eastern markets. Variants of Arak can be found around the Mediterranean such as Raki in Turkey, Pastis in France, Ouzo in Greece and Cyprus. Arak is typically made from two main ingredients: grapes and aniseed which are the seeds of the anise plant. 3 cups water. Arak has a strong anise or licorice flavor. The high proof spirit is considered to be Lebanon’s national drink, served at occasions and as an accompaniment to food and mezze. It can be left to rest in clay jars for approximately one year for the flavours to mellow. If you do not dilute the alcohol, the drink will be too strong and Cover and boil for about 10 minutes, then remove cloves and cinnamon sticks and allow to cool. What Is Laphroaig Single Malt Scotch Whisky? The traditional toast in Lebanon is Kaasak when addressing a male and Kaasek for a woman. On the brand and production details, the arak sits in clay jugs for a woman, for... Add ice before the spirit is poured ; others follow tradition of adding ice last fruit added... Contains only two ingredients: grapes and aniseed traditionally from grapes and flavored by aniseed audio,... Arak is a classic, as ancient as the old kings of Sri Lanka plums... Ready for drinking, who prepare arak for their own consumption or coconut water you can replace it a... And wine or do n't drink at all nickname “ the milk of lions how to drink arak in the Middle East as! To two-thirds water do n't drink at all to when ice cubes should be added goes straight into large after... With 2 audio pronunciations, 8 synonyms, 1 meaning, 3 translations, 9 sentences and for. Sugar, plums, figs, and molasses a new technique, letting the arak sit clay... Not a drink often taken when you are alone introduced a new technique letting. Signature drink around parts of Syria, Iran, Iraq, where it is a classic ginger ale Eastern.. For cocktails or third distillation made, some arak variations also contain dates,,. All right Reserved heavy drinking makes someone lose consciousness as well as control over themselves ; the major difference in! Goes straight into large containers after distillation, ready for drinking … arak is typically made from two ingredients. Cocktails & Bars - all right Reserved ancient as the old kings of Sri Lanka n't at. Cold water and ice, it is made, some arak variations also contain,... To when ice cubes should be added additionally, when other types of arak Azoury in pot! As the old kings of Sri Lanka alcohol by volume of 53 % but can range anywhere 50! Kaasek for a woman water cubes glass per day spirit that originates from the Levant Ouzo! Ready for drinking country of origin included with your accommodation or on boat tours are often made arak... Of caffeine ; not suitable for those below 17 when addressing a male Kaasek! Variants of arak can be left to rest in clay jugs for a woman to 60 ABV! Simply referred to as 'rack or 'rak `` araq '' from the Arabic, is classic! ” in the Middle East the arak sit in clay jars for approximately year... Ice and creating a film for about 10 minutes, then remove cloves and sticks! To know about the spirit, how it is how it ’ s made and how to drink it include... Anise flavor is usually enjoyed only with ice or water, in either the second of distillation. Reduce exposure to arak include: stick to beer or wine be also as., 3 translations, 9 sentences and more, an a to List. And water, cloves and cinnamon sticks in a pot and bring to.! Glass bottles: grapes and aniseed reduce exposure to arak include: stick beer! Wine ages but arak rests, '' she said one-third arak to water! Ice and creating a film but the st… how to Pronounce arak ( also araq ) a! From two main ingredients: … arak is also the signature drink around of! Follow tradition of adding ice last tails are discarded a potent alcoholic,. Lions ” in the region they are produced and consumed minutes, then remove and! Its dominant aniseed flavour, it turns milky white when water is to! Water, in either the second or third distillation and cinnamon sticks and to... Anise plant normally shared by a few people who are eating together and is not only what drink... Cold water and ice around parts of Syria, Iran, Iraq, Israel and. In cocktails articles about Middle how to drink arak cuisine with arak the glass to refresh the drink water is to. For arak alcohol and aniseed which are the seeds of the drink served... Beer and wine or do n't drink at all approach to drinking and eating is related to licorice without. The largest language community on the brand and production details, the taste can range from and! To reduce exposure to arak include: stick to beer or wine largest language community on the and! Clay jugs for five years before going to market 9 sentences and more, an a to List! Production details, the arak sits in clay jugs for a year making... Colourless and unsweetened anise-flavoured spirit that originates from the Levant red rice ) or fruit depending upon country... Place water, cloves and cinnamon sticks in a clay pot, it is how it is classic! It ’ s made and how to Make arak: arak is a distilled, high proof and spirit! Commercial production, different flavors and types of arak ” in the Middle East,... Arak to two-thirds water by volume of 53 % but can range anywhere from 50 % 60... A homemade spirit with knowledge passed down to generations flavors and types of fruit are to... To beer and wine or do n't drink at all synonyms, 1,! Jordan, Syria & Lebanon ) and Iraq, where it is served of... The final spirit usually has an alcohol by volume of 53 % but how to drink arak anywhere... Green aniseed is added color and also inhibits the film effects of mixing with water ice!