At the very least there will be some peanuts salted in the shell, or some barley rusks (“paximadia”) and tiny olives with lemon (“tsakistes”), maybe a little graviera cheese. by John Staughton (BASc, BFA) In wine growing regions with access to fresh grapes, pomace was an inexpensive source of raw materials. The only fragrance coming off of a shot of Raki in Crete is the essence of the grape. How Are You Supposed to Drink Ouzo? In many houses meat grinders were used for mincing the raising’s, large basins formerly used for daily washing were now used for fermenting the grapes and oil cans were converted into distilling apparatus. Very carefully – a pure raki is one of the finest Greek drinks, so smooth and delicate you may not realize how string it is until you rise from your chair. Turkish alcoholic beverage with a strong aniseed flavor. Rakı is a distilled alcoholic beverage strongly aromatized with lots of anise, it can be consumed as a cocktail, but more commonly it goes best with cold hors d'oeuvres. Inspiration and ideas for makers of every ability. In fact, if the alcohol used for the distillation of ouzo is from grapes, it will be so well distilled as to have a neutral character, so as not to interfere with the delicate interplay of aromatics. The powerful health benefits of dates include providing an energy boost, increasing iron in the body, and aiding digestion. If the tsipouro is without anise, it’s often drunk straight, but it’s also fine over ice – in fact it’s a good idea, especially if you are new to the drink. Although ouzo is produced in many regions in Greece, two islands stand out. Some popular ouzo brands include Eva, Mini, Barbayianni, and Plomari – all from Lesvos. Cheers! It’s not a lie. Ingredients 2 ozs raki / rakia liquor 2 ozs pomegranate juice (100% juice) 1 cup ice cubes mint leaves optional for decoration and aroma 1 cup lemon lime soda 1 lemon sliced Tsipouro, the second of the three great Greek drinks, has some things in common with ouzo, and some things in common with tsikoudia. The alcohol content drops as the distilling process continues. Images are provided by Shutterstock & our contributors.
Most important is what it is to be partaken with. It’s a very potent drink, so it’s often diluted with water or ice, which gives it a milky color and its nickname, “lion’s milk.” When drinking raki, it’s usually served with melon and cheese and used to give toasts. ♥ $3 Before this time, meyhanes were popular with the Greek and Albanian population of the Ottoman Empire and mainly served wine, but with a new clientele, raki consumption increased dramatically. From Chios, you can try the delicate Apalarina (“Apalo” means gentle). This makes it both lighter on the system, and lighter on the palate. In neighboring countries, different kinds of raki have different names.

You should let it sit for 5 weeks before consuming it. As the raki industry developed, aniseed agriculture grew and developed with it. Like ouzo, it is flavored with anise – but only sometimes. How Do You Drink Raki or Tsicoudia in Crete? These two Greek drinks are often small-batch productions, just for family and friends. If you don’t see a raki cocktail advertised anywhere, chances are the location you’re at doesn’t offer them. Laws, rules, and regulations regarding alcohol consumption and purchase vary in different countries. This is due to anethole's solubility in alcohol, but not in water. If you want to experience a different type of alcohol, click and explore Turkish Rakı! Anise – the dominant aromatic – is considered a fine digestive. Historically, raki was made using raisins as the sugar base for fermentation and distillation. Proceed carefully, and you may find a night of tsikoudia has no consequences at all. Fortunately, distillers are easy to meet in Greece. In fact, we had tsikoudia in plastic cups while visiting a Ladies’ cookie-baking cooperative, at 11 am. To make this alcohol at home, you will need to use a copper alembic still. How is one distillate stronger than the other?

It’s a very potent drink, so it’s often diluted with water or ice, which gives it a milky color and its nickname, “lion’s milk.”. Health benefits of apple cider vinegar include its ability to regulate blood sugar levels, boost weight loss, improve skin & gut health, & lower cholesterol levels.Read more! The alcohol content at the beginning of the distilling process is extremely high.