How to pour
a raki
Set out a tall, narrow glass and pour in 4 cl of raki, about one-third of the glass.
Top up with 8 cl of cold water and pour it slowly down the side. The drink turns milky white; this is called the louche and happens because the anise oil does not dissolve in water.
Only add ice after the water, or leave it out altogether. Stick to one or two cubes.
Place a separate glass of cold water next to it and serve with meze, at the table, not as a shot.
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The story
Raki is distilled from grape pomace and then distilled a second time with aniseed. That second distillation gives the drink its aroma and behavior in the glass: as soon as water is added, the anise oil separates and the drink turns milky white. In Turkey, this is called aslan sütü, lion's milk. The bottle is rarely alone. Raki belongs with a table full of small dishes, conversations that last a long time, and a jug of cold water that is constantly refilled. The alcohol content is usually around 45 percent, and the water in the glass ultimately brings it down considerably.
The right glass
Raki is served in a tall, narrow glass of around 20 cl. Narrow, because this gives the drink little surface area and makes it warm slowly, and tall enough for one-third raki and two-thirds water. A genuine Turkish raki glass, the kadeh, is not in our range; we prefer to say that honestly. The two slender tubo glasses below come closest in shape and capacity. Place a glass of water beside it: the second set works perfectly for that. More models for water can be found among the water glasses.
Arcoroc Islande Long Drink Glass 22 cl Tubo (6 pieces)
Bormioli Rocco Gina Long Drink Glass 21.5 cl Tubo (6 pieces)
Both sets together € 32,90.
The right tools
For raki, besides the glass, use a jigger to measure that one-third accurately and an ice cube mold for long sticks that fit in a narrow glass. These are the bar tools we use ourselves; you can find everything in our bar tools & cocktail sets.
Glass set (our choice 01) + 2 bar tools together € 43,85.
What does this go with?
Raki does not yet have its own place in our drinks guide. These are the bottles closest to it: the anise family and a few other clear distillates. On each drink page, you can read the alcohol percentage, what it tastes like, which cocktails pair well with it, and which glass you need.
Variations & twists
In Turkey, raki is almost always drunk with water, but the ratio is a matter of personal preference: half and half is strong, while one part raki to three parts water is mild. Ouzo from Greece, arak from the Middle East, pastis from France, and sambuca from Italy become cloudy in the same way; they mainly differ in sweetness and in what else is in the bottle alongside the anise. Want to read more? View all drinks and brands.
Serving tip
Put the bottle, a jug of cold water, and a bowl of ice on the table and let everyone pour their own. Serve meze with it: white cheese, melon, olives, stuffed leaves. The glass of water beside it is not an afterthought but part of the ritual.
Good to know
Why does raki turn milky white?
Anise oil dissolves in alcohol, but not in water. As soon as you add water, the alcohol percentage drops and the oily substances separate into tiny droplets. These droplets scatter the light, which you see as a milky-white veil. The same thing happens with ouzo, pastis, arak, and absinthe.
Why is it called lion's milk?
Aslan sütü, lion's milk, is the Turkish nickname for raki. It refers to the milky-white color the drink takes on once water is added. You may also see the name on labels; it says nothing about the ingredients.
When does the ice go in?
Only after the water is added, or not at all. That is the custom at the Turkish table. Anyone using ice adds one or two cubes; more dilutes the drink beyond what is intended.
How much alcohol does it contain?
Raki is usually around 45 percent ABV, with some varieties higher or lower. The label always shows the percentage for the bottle, not the glass: with two parts water added, you end up with roughly one third of that in the glass.
Is raki the same as ouzo?
No. Both are anise-flavored spirits that turn cloudy with water, but raki is distilled from grape pomace and then redistilled with anise seeds. Ouzo is usually made from a more neutral base and tastes sweeter. Pastis is not distilled but made by infusing herbs in alcohol, while sambuca is a liqueur with added sugar.
Why is there a glass of water next to it?
Because it is part of the way raki is served: a glass of raki with water, alongside a separate glass of plain water to sip in between. At a table where people eat for a long time, that works better than continually topping up the raki.
Frequently asked questions
How do you pour raki?
Fill one third of the glass with raki and top up with cold water. For 4 cl of raki, add approximately 8 cl of water. The drink will then turn milky white. Add ice only after the water, or leave it out.
Which glass is suitable for raki?
A tall, narrow glass of about 20 cl. In Turkey, it is called a kadeh. That model is not available in our range as such; a slim 21- or 22-cl tubo long-drink glass comes closest in shape and capacity.
What does aslan sütü mean?
Lion's milk. This is the Turkish nickname for raki and refers to the milky white color that appears when water is added.
What do you drink raki with?
With meze: small dishes served together on the table, such as white cheese, melon, olives, and stuffed leaves. Raki is sipped slowly at that table rather than knocked back as a shot.
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