Yeni Raki 750ML

Description

Yeni Raki 750ML is Turkey’s definitive anise-flavored spirit, bottled at 45% ABV (90 proof) in a 750ml format. Scored 90 points by Tastings.com and a winner at the 2011 New York International Spirits Competition, it remains the benchmark expression in the rak category worldwide.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45% | Origin: Turkey (anise sourced from Western Anatolia) | Style: Anise Spirit (Rak) | Producer: Mey ki (Diageo)

Production & Heritage

Yeni Rak meaning “new rak” in Turkish was introduced when Turkey’s state monopoly Tekel began incorporating sugar beet molasses into traditional grape-based rak production. Today produced by Mey ki, a subsidiary of Diageo, the spirit is twice distilled in traditional copper pot stills of 5,000 liters or smaller. The base spirit draws from 20 different grape varieties processed into a distillate called “suma,” which accounts for roughly 65% of the final alcohol content, with the remainder derived from sugar beet molasses a combination that gives Yeni Rak its characteristic bitter edge and sets it apart from purely grape-based rak expressions.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Intense green anise dominates immediately on the nose, followed by subtler layers of grape spirit, dried fig, and a faint underlying sweetness. There is a clean, almost medicinal clarity to the aromatics that signals the spirit’s copper-pot purity.

Taste: Bold anise leads the entry, arriving dry and assertive before a mid-palate shift toward mild sweetness and smooth grape notes. Herbal and floral nuances emerge with time, adding genuine depth, while the sugar beet molasses component contributes a distinctive bitter undertone that keeps the palate engaged. The mouthfeel is notably intense and full-bodied for an unaged spirit.

Finish: Medium-long, with lingering anise warmth and a spicy, herbaceous freshness. A dry, slightly bitter tail rounds out the experience, inviting the next sip.

How to Drink Yeni Rak

The traditional Turkish serve is paramount: pour one part rak into a tall glass, add one to two parts cold water, and watch it turn a milky white the iconic “lion’s milk” transformation. Add a single ice cube after dilution, never before. Beyond the classic serve, Yeni Rak works well in a Rak Highball, where its anise intensity stands up to sparkling water and a squeeze of lemon. It shines in a Mediterranean Mule, substituting for vodka and pairing naturally with ginger beer and lime. It also adds distinctive character to an Anise Sour, where the bold anise plays against fresh lemon juice and simple syrup to create a balanced, aromatic cocktail.

Best For

• Hosting a Turkish meze dinner with friends and family
• Introducing someone to the world of anise spirits beyond ouzo and pastis
• Gifting a traveler who fell in love with rak in Istanbul
• Building a global spirits collection that represents key cultural categories

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Yeni Rak taste like? Yeni Rak delivers bold, dry green anise as its dominant flavor, balanced by mild grape sweetness, herbal complexity, and a distinctive bitter finish derived from its sugar beet molasses base.

How does Yeni Rak compare to ouzo? Yeni Rak is generally drier and stronger at 45% ABV, with a more pronounced grape spirit character and a bitter edge from sugar beet molasses, whereas most ouzos tend to be sweeter, lighter in body, and bottled at a lower proof.

Is Yeni Rak good for sipping neat? It can be sipped neat, but the traditional and most enjoyable method is diluted with cold water at a 1:1 or 1:2 ratio, which opens up the aromatic complexity and tempers the 45% ABV intensity.

Where is Yeni Rak made? Yeni Rak is produced in Turkey by Mey ki, a subsidiary of Diageo, using aniseed sourced from Western Anatolia and grape suma made from 20 different Turkish grape varieties.

What foods pair well with Yeni Rak? White cheese and honeydew melon are the classic Turkish pairing, as the salt and sweetness contrast the anise. Grilled lamb kebabs work beautifully, with the spirit cutting through the fat. Fresh seafood meze particularly fried calamari and stuffed mussels are traditional companions. Hummus and ezme (spicy tomato dip) served with warm bread also complement the herbal, anise-forward profile.

What sizes does Yeni Rak come in? Yeni Rak is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle, and in some markets can also be found in 350ml and 1-liter formats.

Is Yeni Rak worth the price? Yeni Rak positions as an accessible, everyday-quality expression within the rak category it is the most widely consumed rak in the world, and its price-to-quality ratio makes it a strong value for anyone exploring anise spirits.

Why Yeni Rak?

Yeni Rak’s defining distinction is its dual-base production: 65% grape suma blended with sugar beet molasses-derived alcohol, twice distilled in small copper pot stills of 5,000 liters or less. That molasses component is not a shortcut it is the specific source of the bitter, dry character that separates Yeni Rak from sweeter anise spirits like ouzo or sambuca. Its 90-point score from Tastings.com and recognition at the New York International Spirits Competition confirm that this is a seriously made spirit, not merely a cultural curiosity. For anyone seeking the authentic taste of Turkey’s national drink, Yeni Rak is the standard against which all other rak is measured.