Yeni Raki 750ML

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 rakı category worldwide.

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

Production & Heritage

Yeni Rakı — meaning "new rakı" in Turkish — was introduced when Turkey's state monopoly Tekel began incorporating sugar beet molasses into traditional grape-based rakı production. Today produced by Mey İçki, 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 Rakı its characteristic bitter edge and sets it apart from purely grape-based rakı 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 Rakı

The traditional Turkish serve is paramount: pour one part rakı 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 Rakı works well in a Rakı 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 rakı in Istanbul
• Building a global spirits collection that represents key cultural categories

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Yeni Rakı taste like? Yeni Rakı 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 Rakı compare to ouzo? Yeni Rakı 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 Rakı 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 Rakı made? Yeni Rakı is produced in Turkey by Mey İçki, 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 Rakı? 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 Rakı come in? Yeni Rakı is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle, and in some markets can also be found in 350ml and 1-liter formats.

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

Why Yeni Rakı?

Yeni Rakı'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 Rakı 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 Rakı is the standard against which all other rakı is measured.