Alcohol

The raki table is a meal, not a drink

Anyone who grew up around a Turkish sofra knows that raki is never poured on its own. It arrives with white cheese, melon, a bowl of pickles and whatever meze the household is known for, and the evening is measured in conversation rather than glasses. The Aegean coast built that habit and Turkish families in the UK have carried it into terraced houses from London to Manchester. This section exists to make that table possible without a trip abroad, with over 60 products covering raki, beer and the surrounding classics.

What the shelf holds

Yeni Raki is the anchor, in both Turkish 70cl Yeni Raki for a full table and Turkish 35cl Yeni Raki when there are two of you. The Tekirdag family runs deep here: Tekirdag 70cl Raki, Tekirdag 70cl Raki Gold Series, Tekirdag Rakisi 35cl Grape Spirits and the Tekirdag Raki Gold 20cl for a first taste. Beylerbeyi 70cl Gobek Raki appeals to drinkers who prefer a heavier style. On the beer side, Efes Pilsen 500ml Draft Beer is the one most people reach for, with Tuborg 500ml Draft Beer as the alternative. Tekel appears among the top brands alongside Yeni Raki and Efes Pilsener. Prices start from under £2 across the section.

Serving it the way it is meant to be served

Raki is traditionally served in a tall narrow glass, poured about a third full, then topped with cold water, which turns it cloudy white. Ice goes in last, after the water, or the aniseed can seize. Keep the bottle at room temperature and chill the water rather than the spirit itself. Beer is simple by comparison: keep it upright, cold and out of the light. Unopened bottles keep for a long time in a dark cupboard, but once a raki bottle is open it is best finished within a few months as the aniseed aroma softens. All alcohol orders are for customers aged 18 or over, and age verification may be requested on delivery.

We ship UK-wide with DHL Express, typically 1-2 business days. Orders of £60 or more are delivered free to London and mainland UK, and under that a flat £5.99 rate applies. Bottles are packed to travel and a DHL tracking number is emailed as soon as your parcel is dispatched.