198859 Thu Jan 09 17:28:06 -0800 2003 16 18 Manhattan 0 1060458 Does anyone know where I can buy Arak in New York City? It's similar to Ouzo. Thu Jan 09 17:28:06 -0800 2003 0 David Greenbaum 1 1060478 Turkey or Lebanon? Thu Jan 09 19:58:59 -0800 2003 1060458 0 ahmet 2 1060496 Of course you are correct. Arak is the Lebanese term for this beverage; Raki is the Turkish version, right? Do you know where I can find some? Fri Jan 10 07:15:13 -0800 2003 1060478 0 David Greenbaum 1 1060508 Can't tell you where to find it, but can tell you how to pour it. First, 1/3 Arak into dry clear glass. Next, 1/3 ice not crushed but small. Finally, 1/3 purified cold water. Don't know why but it makes all the difference in the world. Fri Jan 10 10:37:23 -0800 2003 1060458 0 Shoeman 2 1060509 Thanks very much - very helpful!! Now I just need to find the stuff. Fri Jan 10 10:53:07 -0800 2003 1060508 0 David Greenbaum 3 1060512 Many years ago I bought a bottle at astor wines and spirits on lafayette st. You might check and see if they still carry it. Fri Jan 10 11:07:36 -0800 2003 1060509 0 djk 4 1060514 Found it at Astor Wines & Spirits. Thanks very much!! Fri Jan 10 11:28:10 -0800 2003 1060512 0 David Greenbaum 5 1060593 david, david, david -- you left us in the lurch man! how does it taste? in detail please. Fri Jan 10 21:03:44 -0800 2003 1060514 0 mrnyc 6 1060684 About to serve Arak to my whole family, in 1 hour. Will report back shortly. Sun Jan 12 18:46:33 -0800 2003 1060593 0 David Greenbaum 7 1060721 So I found the Arak, and served it as suggested. Here are my comments: I liked it a lot. It's similar to Pernod or Pastis, but lighter. It doesn't *taste* super-strong, but it sneaks up on you. My brother liked it too. Other members of my family took one sip and said "no thanks." However I'd recommend it - $18 a bottle, worth a try. Mon Jan 13 12:33:39 -0800 2003 1060684 0 David Greenbaum 8 1060746 Did you get the kind with the dressed up turkish guy on the label? We really love that label (I dont drink the arak, but my husband enjoys it sometimes) Mon Jan 13 15:24:34 -0800 2003 1060721 0 jen kalb 9 1060781 No dressed up guy on the label - flowers & designs and stuff. It's called Arak Razouk. Mon Jan 13 19:17:29 -0800 2003 1060746 0 David Greenbaum 10 1060783 The arak you purchased, I consider the best in terms of what we get in this country. I have had some homemade stuff that would blow your mind. Anyway, If your interested do some research in how arak is made. My friend's father would disappear to the hills of lebanon for the month of sept. to cultivate the grapes. He would bottle and store it for five years and make enough to last him and his family till next sept. Mon Jan 13 19:40:59 -0800 2003 1060781 0 Shoeman 10 1060873 If you are interested in specifically Turkish Arak ( spelled Raki, pronounced Rah-kuh) then I highly recommend Tekirdag Rakisi. It is produced under the government liquor authority but has a surprisingly delicious taste compared to Yeni (New) Raki. Contrary to the other chap's recipe it is best served 50% raki 50% cool water in a collin's glass. No ice - it shocks the liquor and kills the flavor. This potent mixture called "Aslan sutu" (lion's milk) is considered a manly man's drink. Everybody has a favorite meze (appetizer) to go with raki. I suggest watermelon, soft white cheese, or nuts. A water chaser is also recommended as this liquor is not as sweet as Greek or Italian variations. To impress your guests, upon finishing a bottle. Pour the last few drops on top of the metal cap while holding the bottle in your hand. Do this slowly and deliberately while telling a joke, perhaps. This allows for the transfer of heat from the palm of your hand to the bottle. Put the cap on upside down and swish it around so that a wet seal forms between the glass and the metal. Take your hand away from the bottle and say some mumbo-jumbo. The cap will dance as the heat leaves the bottle and changes the air pressure inside. When they ask how you did it. Tell them it was The Devil, of course, and open the next bottle. Tue Jan 14 15:54:37 -0800 2003 1060781 0 Frubious 11 1061213 Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely outstanding. Thanks!! Thu Jan 16 17:59:21 -0800 2003 1060873 0 David Greenbaum 1 1060527 I'll have to pick some of this up, as I love pastis and it sounds similar. Does it produce the same beautiful louche as pastis and absinthe does? I've seen it at liquor stores around Steinway Street in Astoria, but I first spotted it, in surprising quantities and varieties, at duty free shops coming from Canada to the US. (Detroit tunnel and I-87 specifically). Big bottles for CA$7-8 (US$4-5). So remember that on your next intracontinental trip. Fri Jan 10 12:53:34 -0800 2003 1060458 0 Lambretta76 2 1060532 I've never tried it myself, truth be told. I am a big fan of Absinthe / Pernod, though. It does sound similar. I'm searching for this particular spirit because I've been told (by a reliable source) that this is a traditional thing to consume in conjunction with Mezze, which I am preparing for family on Sunday night. Fri Jan 10 14:03:40 -0800 2003 1060527 0 David Greenbaum