Arak Al Bustan 75cl

Bright, anise-led refreshment that turns any hangout into a proper Levant-style moment. Arak Al Bustan is the kind of bottle you keep around for when you want flavour that wakes up your palate, not something that disappears in a mixer. Pour it, add cold water, watch it go cloudy, and suddenly you’ve got that classic arak ritual, no fuss, all vibes.

• Nose: Bold anise right away, with a clean, herbal lift and a faint licorice sweetness.
• Taste: Anise and fennel up front, then a peppery herbal edge, with a creamy mouthfeel once you add water.
• Finish: Long, drying, and pleasantly spicy, the anise hangs around and keeps you reaching for the next bite.

This is arak for people who like their drinks interactive. Neat, it’s intense and aromatic. With cold water, it opens up, softens the heat, and turns silky, making it way easier to sip slowly. Add ice after the water, and it stays balanced instead of clamping down.

Where it’s from: Lebanon. That matters because arak isn’t just “anise spirit” there, it’s the default language of long lunches, mezze spreads, and loud stories that get better every round.

Why you’ll care: The strong anise profile means it doesn’t get lost. It stands up to food like a champ, salty cheeses, grilled meats, olives, even spicy dips. You can pour small, stretch it with water, and keep the flavour dialled in the whole time.

How to drink it without overthinking: Start with arak in the glass, add cold water to taste, then ice. Pair it with mezze, roasted nuts, or anything garlicky. If you’re feeling playful, try it with a splash of fresh lemon and a pinch of salt, it turns into a weirdly perfect savoury refresher.

Great for: dinner tables, balcony hangs, and that friend who “doesn’t like licorice” until they try it the right way.

Fun Fact: The famous cloudy look is called the “ouzo effect”, when anise oils come out of solution as you add water, turning your clear pour into a milky haze.