What is Raki?
It is a distrilled alcoholic drink obtained as a result of a second distillation and brewing of suma only. Or of the distillation with a special method of agricultural origin ethyl alcohol mixed with suma and aniseed in 5000 lt. , and smaller volume traditional copper containers. As indicated in the Turkish Food Codex publishen on 21.10.95 in the official gazette, and put into practice since then, the total alcohol rate in the product must be of 65% suma.

Rakı, while named as our national drink "TURKİSH RAKİ", like Scotch Whiskey, and French Cognac, by the Alcoholic Drinks Committee of the European Council, it has also been registered with its components and other specifications.

History
The history of the alcoholic drink goes back to ancient times. With a decree called "Mem-i Müskirat", the production, import, and sale of every kind of alcoholic drinks was banned; and with a law passed in 1926, the same was monopolize. With another law in 1942, the monopoly was passed over to the General Directorate of Monopolies.

In 1983, the Directorate, known with its short name as "TEKEL" became a "State Economic Enterprise".

In Turkey, 78.7 million litres of Raki is produced annually.

How Raki is Drunk?
Famous as the Turkish national drink, Raki is drunk cold 8° - 10°c, out of smooth cylindrical glasses. It can be drunk with water without water, or with soda water added.

• The majority of RAKI drinkers are males. As the education standard gets higher, the rate of Raki drinkers rises accordingly.
• Raki addiets are generally the middle-aged generation of 35 - 44 years of age.
• Raki forms an important part of the high alcoholic drinks consumed in Turkey.

Phrases About Raki
Aslan Sütü : Meaning "Lion Milk". This proper name given to Raki comes from the "Lion" engraved on the special Raki containers used during the Ottoman Reign again.
Çilingir sofrası: The story of this phrase goes back to the Ottoman Reign again. The Food Tasters at the Ottoman Palace were named as "ÇEŞNİGİR", whose duty was to bring the foods to the table in small plates and saucers, and to taste them such tables were called "Çeşnigir Sofrası". As Raki tables are decorated with "MEZES" served in small plates and saucers, the same phrase was used for Raki Tables, too. In time, the phrase came to be "ÇİLİNGİR SOFRASI".

Rakı "Mezes"
A Raki table cannot even be thought of as proper without the unavoidable manner of consuming the mezes, which help decrease the harms of alcohol with blood, and increase the drinking period.

Except for the traditional long-time sitting and chatting at Raki Table entertainments, the most suitable mezes to be served for example at coctail parties or business meetings are the following

• white cheese / sweet melon

• tulum cheese / walnuts

• lakerda / red onions

• salted fresh, green almonds or plums, in Spring.

• iced fresh almonds, in summer

• thşn quincee slices dotted with lemon juice, in Autumn