This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Rakomelo is made by combining raki or tsipouro - two types of grape pomace brandy - with honey and several spices, such as cinnamon, cardamom, or other regional herbs. It is produced in Crete and other islands of the Aegean Sea and on the Greek mainland, chiefly consumed during the winter as a warm drink. [3] Rakomelo can be found as a bottled mixed drink in liquor stores, ready to be served.

Tsikoudia ( Greek: τσικουδιά, romanized: tsikoudiá, literally " terebinth"), also often called raki ( Greek: ρακή, romanized: rakí) in the eastern part of Crete, is an alcoholic beverage, a fragrant, grape-based pomace brandy of Cretan origin that contains 40% to 65% alcohol by volume. [1] Tsikoudia is made by distilling of pomace, what remains of grapes pressed in winemaking. The pomace ferments for about six weeks in a tightly sealed barrel, and is then distilled. Rakokazano is a social phenomenon and a big festival in Crete. The distillation of tsikoudia is at its peak, and the rakokazano have their honour, being a special meeting point of fun and merriment for everyone. Can you believe that the Greek Frappe, popular and delicious is made from Nescafe instant coffee and water. Because it is! Greek coffee can be sketos (plain coffee, no sugar, no milk), metrios (medium sweetness), glykos (sweet), and me gala (with milk). Soumadais a traditional drink in Greece produced Crete. Soumada is a non-alcoholic almond-based beverage with syrup. Soumada is made with a mixture of fresh, locally-grown almonds, sugar and water simmered in sugar syrup. 20. VisinadaNow this drink has spices like the mulled wine, but it also has Greece’s favorite sweetener: honey. It is often considered a home remedy for a sore throat, a small shot consumed in the evening. During the last decade, tsikoudia became extremely popular all over Greece, so tsikoudia of dubious quality and origin began to be traded. The high demand for large quantities of bulk low-price raki caused problems of uncontrolled distribution. An alcoholic spirit cannot be placed on the market without the production and bottling legislation being followed and without the official name of the producer or bottler on its label. Usually, the gatherings in the rakokazano with good company and under the sounds of the Cretan lyra with mantinades and songs that praise the everyday life, the joys, sorrows, and love certainly get the blessing of the positive energy of the participants for its production.

Rakomelo is one of the tastiest Greek beverages, Rakomelo is made from Raki and honey. Rakomelo is usually use as a digestive after a big lunch or dinner and it’s not so strong as Raki. 10. Kitron Raki or tsikoudia always accompanies the social events of the Cretans. Whether in company or alone, Cretans share pains and joys with the transparent, fragrant spirit. Therefore, the production of tsikoudia could not have an important place in the rural life of the Cretans.

Rakomelo (Raki with honey) – A traditional Cretan beverage

It is often produced at home in villages throughout Crete, thus the alcohol content varies by producer. Typically each Cretan village has one or two residents who are licensed to distill, and tsikoudia is produced continuously for two to three weeks in late October and early November.

Greek coffeeis a strong brew of coffee served with foam on the top (kaimaki) and the grounds at the bottom of the cup. It is a style of coffee prepared using very finely ground coffee beans without filtering. “Ellinikos Kafes” is prepared in a special pot, called briki, which comes in different sizes, to create the right amount of foam. The maximum beneficial properties of raki are achieved when the person has already adopted a generally healthy lifestyle, which includes a balanced Mediterranean diet, daily exercise, and as much self-restraint from smoking as possible. What Food Is Raki Best Served With? Immediately afterward, the supervisor of Kazani, adjusts the degrees of the tsikoudia, which usually ranges from 18 to 20 degrees. The supervisor also distillates and adds water accordingly. When the degree of the drink is down to the desired level, the cauldron is completed. The quality of the tsikoudia is superior since the grapes have been boiled for less time and have undergone less processing. Ayranis a cold savory yoghurt that you can find in East Europe. You can have it anytime of the day for breakfast, lunch and even dinner. I loved Ayran when eating street food and prices are around €1-2. 19. SOUMADA Apart from being served Rakomelo in a cafe, bar, or taverna, you can buy this bottled in shops that sell traditional Greek products, especially Cretan ones.Rakomelo is famous for being a Cretan drink, although there are some versions in other Greek islands. While home distillation of alcoholic beverages is not legal, traditional distillation is still done today in “pots stills” only when you have a licence from the state. The custom of Rakokazano was institutionalised by Eleftherios Venizelos, the first Greek Prime Minister, in 1920, when special licences for Rakokazana were given to Cretan farmers. To date, there is at least one resident in every village with a licence to produce Raki. The owner of the licence also owns the place where the cauldron is hosted. Traditionally, licences are passed down from father to son. Of course, if someone wants to, he can “sell” the Rakokazano licence to a villager, just like taxi licences in the cities. Licence owners are allowed to cook raki for their own use for 48 hours, with a legal limit of 400 litres. However, fees must also be paid for this personal use. This regime results in widespread illegal distillery with very severe penalties and the closure and confiscation of the licence. One thing for sure is that nowadays, the issuing of a Kazani licence is limited, so look for a licence from the time of your great-grandfathers.

Greek Cider is the last one in the list of Greek beverages. Cider is made with fermented juice of apples a refreshing drink for anytime during the year from summer to winter. The most popular Greek cider is Milofetis. MORE GREEK DRINKS: NON ALCOHOLIC DRINKS IN GREECE 13. GREEK COFFEE / ELLINIKOS (GREEK COFFEE) Lemonadeis a refreshing one in the list of non alcoholic drinks in Greece. Lime juice (or squeeze fresh lemon) with soda is so refreshing with sugar added. You will see local people having Lemonade in bars and restaurants. 17. ORANGE JUICE Place the ingredients in a pot and boil them on a low fire, while stirring continuously. As soon as they boil sufficiently, turn off the flame and leave the rakomelo covered for approximately another 10’ to absorb the flavoring. Remove the cinnamon and cloves. Serve immediately or refrigerate in a bottle. Tsikoudia is sometimes served cold from a bottle kept in a freezer. This is commonly offered as an after dinner digestif, and in most tavernas in Crete it is offered as a complimentary digestif with fruits and sweets after the meal. Did you know that the Ancient Greeks put honey on wounds as a salve? They also named the ancient nymphs who were considered goddesses of bees the Melissae (meli = Greek word for honey). Honey is an excellent home remedy to soothe a sore throat, and we now know that it has antibacterial and antimicrobial powers. How? Bees deposit hydrogen peroxide into honey as they synthesize flower pollen. Because honey is naturally acidic, the result is antibacterial properties. I don’t fully understand the chemistry beyond that, but I’m here for it. CINNAMONPaterianakis winery is open for visitors during summertime. If you ever come to Crete, you should not miss the chance to visit it, taste its organic wines and the unique tsikoudia distillates, walk around the vineyards, and enjoy yourself in this magical landscape. Rakomelo combines natural honey in complete harmony with the strong raki spirit, while cinnamon and clove buds bring the final touch to a distinctive and outstanding flavor, regardless of the real narrative. That being said, the one fact that is indisputable is that a warm glass of mulled wine is the perfect companion for a cold winters day! So lets get started preparing your own homemade Greek style mulled wine with this super easy recipe! And while you are at it, might as well start preparing some melomakarona and kourabiedes to accompany!