Anise alcohol “raki” with a specific “mixture” taste refers to drinks that can cause love or disgust, but definitely will not leave you indifferent. Traditional Turkish alcohol is closer to brandy in terms of production method, but among foreigners it is known as vodka.
The locals call it “lion’s milk” because of the cloudy white consistency that it acquires after mixing with water. According to legend, one sip of the fragrant elixir gives a person the courage characteristic of the king of beasts.
vodka cocktail recipes
New
One of the oldest and most popular brands. Originally owned by Tekel, in 2004 it was taken over by Mey Alkol. Available in several varieties, differing in the color of the label. The premium product is made by triple distillation of grape wine in copper alambicas, followed by anise root infusion.
Matured in oak barrels from 2 months to six months. It has a fresh taste with grassy astringency. To emphasize the aroma and soften the degree, purified drinking water is included in the composition. Fortress: 45%. Tasted chilled, diluted with distilled water. As an appetizer, it goes well with cheese, meze, fish.
Efe
A young brand that pioneered the use of fresh grapes rather than raisins as a raw material for distillation. The drink is made from fruits collected in the Aegean region by double distillation. The second distillation is carried out in copper stills with the addition of anise seeds.
The recipe also includes water and sugar. Fortress: 45%. It has a fresh, smooth taste with pronounced fruity notes. It is recommended to taste with nuts, melon, seafood, after diluting the drink with water and ice, mint can be included in the summer version.
Tekirdag
Produced since 2001 in the region of the same name. Differs in worthy quality at the low price. It is produced in three varieties: in a blue bottle – a distillate from fresh grapes, in a green one – from dried fruits, in a golden one – aged in oak.
It is famous for its recognizable mild taste, which gives the drink the Çorlu artesian water, and an increased content of anise (1,7 g / l).
Izmir
A popular brand owned by Mey Alkol. The drink is produced according to the classical technology of crayfish – from young grape wine, distilled and infused with anise roots.
It has a mild taste and a pleasant spicy smell. Produced in bottles of different sizes with a blue and green label. Fortress – 45%.
Club
One of the oldest brands that belongs to the elite category. It costs more than popular brands and has a greater strength – 50%.
Altinbas
Prestigious brand, which is made from selected raw materials. For a long time it was sold only in large cities, today it is available everywhere. Aged for over six months.
It is distinguished by a golden hue, for which it is called the “golden head”, and high cost. Fortress: 50%.
Interesting Facts From Turkish Vodka
In Turkey, crayfish of the “dip” (bottom, bottom) or “özel” (special) category are especially valued, which are made from distillate left after processing the main raw material. The owners of the factories do not produce it on an industrial scale, but present it as a present to especially important guests.
Since 2010, Adana and Northern Cyprus have hosted a nationwide raki festival with street musicians and national snacks, lasting from one night to a whole week.
Traditionally, crayfish were made from raisins, less often from figs, dates, and even sugar beets. Today, products made from fresh grape raw materials are the most popular. The fortress can vary from 40 to 75%.
Turks drink raki from tall narrow glasses chilled to 8–10 °C. With ice, ordinary or mineral water, but not in cocktails. After dilution, the drink becomes cloudy and acquires a soft, sweetish taste with anise notes.
Relevance: 15.06.2020
Tags: Vodka, mash, moonshine, Vodka brands