Yeni Raki

Yeni Rakı is the largest rakı brand in Turkey, the anise spirit called aslan sütü, lion's milk, for the way it turns milky white with water. It was first produced by Tekel, the Turkish state spirits monopoly, which named it the "new rakı" when it began blending sugar-beet molasses spirit into the grape-based recipe; production rights passed to Mey İçki when Tekel was privatized in 2004, and Diageo bought Mey in 2011. Under Turkish law rakı must get at least 65% of its alcohol from suma, a grape distillate, and Yeni's suma comes from around 20 Turkish grape varieties, with the balance from molasses spirit that gives the brand its slightly bitter edge. The spirit is redistilled with aniseed from Western Anatolia in copper pot stills of 5,000 liters or less, rested at least 30 days, and bottled at 45% ABV (90 proof). Retailer notes describe intense green anise with grape spirit and dried fig, a bold anise entry softening into mild sweetness and smooth grape with a lightly bitter undertone, and a medium-long finish of anise warmth. Serve it one part rakı to one or two parts cold water, then a single ice cube, with white cheese and melon.

Buy Yeni Raki online with fast shipping right to your door.