How to drink raki: A crash course in Turkey’s signature drink

By Talya Arditi, for CNN
5 minute read
Updated 4:24 AM EST, Tue December 29, 2015
Raki -- otherwise known as Lion's Milk -- is the Turkish national drink. Made of twice-distilled grapes and aniseed, raki is the go-to spirit for a celebration. It's good etiquette to clink the bottoms of your glasses when toasting with raki.
Raki etiquette —
Raki -- otherwise known as Lion's Milk -- is the Turkish national drink. Made of twice-distilled grapes and aniseed, raki is the go-to spirit for a celebration. It's good etiquette to clink the bottoms of your glasses when toasting with raki.
Emel Ernalbant
A group of first-timers should ask for a 35-centiliter bottle of raki -- one-third of a liter -- and tell the waiter you each want a tek (4cl) -- about one shot. Raki is always served with chilled water, although some fans say ice diminishes the flavor of the drink.
How to order —
A group of first-timers should ask for a 35-centiliter bottle of raki -- one-third of a liter -- and tell the waiter you each want a tek (4cl) -- about one shot. Raki is always served with chilled water, although some fans say ice diminishes the flavor of the drink.
Emel Ernalbant
You're not going to want to drink it on an empty stomach. Meze platters are a great way to soak up the powerful raki (45% alcohol) throughout the night.
Soak it up —
You're not going to want to drink it on an empty stomach. Meze platters are a great way to soak up the powerful raki (45% alcohol) throughout the night.
Emel Ernalbant
Feta and melons are the first meze to appear at a raki gathering. You don't even have to order them.
First course —
Feta and melons are the first meze to appear at a raki gathering. You don't even have to order them.
Emel Ernalbant
Many Turkish taverns feature a fasıl ekibi, a band of male musicians who play traditional tunes on instruments such as the ney (a reed flute), a saz or a kanun (both string instruments). A raki-fueled night often ends with people dancing on tables and chairs.
Fasil ekibi —
Many Turkish taverns feature a fasıl ekibi, a band of male musicians who play traditional tunes on instruments such as the ney (a reed flute), a saz or a kanun (both string instruments). A raki-fueled night often ends with people dancing on tables and chairs.
Emel Ernalbant
On some nights, the raki gathering becomes a kind of group therapy session. Friends gather around a cilingir sofrasi. The so-called "locksmith's table" is renowned for unlocking the secrets of any heart.
Locksmith's Table —
On some nights, the raki gathering becomes a kind of group therapy session. Friends gather around a cilingir sofrasi. The so-called "locksmith's table" is renowned for unlocking the secrets of any heart.
Emel Ernalbant
How to drink raki: A crash course in Turkey's signature drink
CNN  —