Arak
Arak is the ancient distilled spirit of the Levant, with production documented in the region for over a thousand years, predating the arrival of Islam and persisting through prohibition under Ottoman rule. The drink is deeply embedded in Lebanese, Syrian, Israeli, and Jordanian cultural identity—served at every family gathering, meze table, and celebration as a marker of hospitality. The name derives from the Arabic word for 'sweat,' a reference to the condensation that forms on the still during distillation.
Flavor Profile
Arak is defined by the sharp, clean flavor of anise, which expresses differently depending on whether Levantine anise seed or imported star anise is used. When water is added and the drink louches to a milky white, the flavor softens and a cooling, fennel-adjacent quality emerges alongside faint dried fruit from the grape base. The finish is long, dry, and warming with a persistent anise echo.