Arak is a distilled alcoholic drink favored in the Middle East. Commonly used in social settings, the drink is famous for its strength, the aniseed flavor and the milky-white color it turns when water is added to it. Arak has a freshness that cleans the palate and aids digestion. It is often served as an aperitif and then as the perfect accompaniment to classic selections of mezze. Arak works particularly well with the mezze mélange that will include olives, spices, meat and cheese – flavors that are sometimes harder to match with wine.
Arak is typically made from grapes an indigenous variety to Lebanon. Though Arak in its pure form is colorless, the clear liquid is aniseed-flavored. Aniseed is added to the distilled alcohol during the second of three distillation processes. The ratio of aniseed to alcohol can vary which results in different qualities, but the strength of the drink usually falls between 50%-60%.
