Raki: Turkey's Traditional Drink

Raki (rah-KUH) is clear brandy made from grapes and raisins, flavored with pungent anise, and diluted with water. It's similar to Greek ouzo and French pastis. When mixed with ice and/or water for drinking, it turns milky white. Because of its color and alcoholic punch, Turks call it lion's milk (aslan sütü).
If you like licorice and anise, you may like raki; if you don't, for sure you won't.
A clear, straight glass is filled half with raki, then diluted with water and/or ice to suit the drinker's taste.
A traditional raki sofrasi ("raki table") bears dozens of meze (MEH-zeh, Turkish hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, salads, cheeses, etc.) While sipping raki and nibbling meze, there's good conversation, much humor, and many toasts to your companions' health and prosperity. After you've eaten far too much, the main course of kebap or fish arrives, to be followed by a dessert/sweet, fruit and Turkish coffee.

Thirsty Turks sip 60 million liters of raki each year, mostly with meals.