Yeni Raki 70cl

Big, bright anise vibes, a milky cloud when it hits cold water, and that instantly social “pour another round” energy. Yeni Rakı is the kind of Arak-style spirit that turns a simple table into a proper long lunch.

• Nose: Fresh liquorice and sweet anise, with a clean, slightly floral lift that keeps it from feeling heavy.
• Taste: Anise leads, then opens into subtle sweetness and a gently warming spice, especially when you stretch it with chilled water and ice.
• Finish: Lingering liquorice, a faint peppery tingle, and a cooling, herbal echo that makes you want another sip.

If you’ve only had anise spirits as “one-shot-and-done”, this is the reset. The magic move is the classic Turkish serve, pour it over ice, add cold water, watch it turn cloudy (that’s the oils blooming), then snack as you go. Salty cheeses, olives, grilled seafood, even spicy kebabs, it’s basically built for mezze.

Why it’s worth your time, it’s not trying to be a sugar-bomb liqueur. It drinks drier and more herbal, so the flavours stay crisp and layered instead of sticky. That makes it way easier to keep sipping, and way more interesting with food.

Got cocktail curiosity? Use it where you’d reach for pastis or absinthe, a tiny rinse in a glass before a gin cocktail, or a barspoon in a citrusy highball to add that liquorice snap. It’s bold, so start small and let it flex.

This one’s from Turkey, where rakı isn’t just a drink, it’s a whole ritual. Slow pours, long chats, and snacks that mysteriously keep multiplying.

Fun Fact: The cloudy “louche” effect when you add water isn’t a gimmick, it’s the anise oils turning visible, and in rakı culture it’s nicknamed lion’s milk.