Roots - Rakomelo 70cl Bottle

Product Information

You might get confused between these two Mediterranean drinks quite easily. When comparing raki with ouzo, there are a few significant differences. First off, Raki has Turkish roots while Ouzo is a beverage that originated in Greece. Yes, the distillation method used in both produces a distinct aniseed flavour by using grape pulp. The alcoholic volumes do, however, vary. The primary difference is that Raki is much, much stronger than Ouzo. You can definitely taste the difference even if you can’t see it. Raki vs Cretan Beers

During this resting stage, the grapes are fermented. Fermentation is a process in which sugars are converted into alcohol, and the so-called alcohol fermentation takes place. Once the fermentation has been created and when it has matured and is suitable, the next stage is distillation, which usually takes place in October and November. There are also coffee shops at every turn in Greece. You can either buy a traditional Greek coffee brewed in a special pot and served in tiny cups, unfiltered with foam on top and coffee grounds on the bottom or else even have it the regular way. Tea is also something that draws attention. Crete has unique Greek mountain tea, which is also known as shepherd’s tea. It is mild yet has a smooth herbal undertone due to malotira mountain tea found on Crete’s mountain slopes. Cretan Wines The table at the rakokazano can be simple or extravagant. In any case, local traditional products will certainly make an appearance either as appetisers or as a main course. The charcoal and the hovel of the cauldron fire, of course, provide the solution either as a cooking or heating fire, except for the tsikoudia. Potatoes oftes, which are whole potatoes with the skin roasted in the hot ashes, apaki and sausages on the charcoal, plenty of local goats cooked against the fire, accompany the “protoraki”, which is the fresh batch of raki. And, of course, the seasonal Cretan products: fresh walnuts, chestnuts, pomegranates, apples, and quinces, which give colour to the table. Does Raki have any Health Benefits? Hope you liked our Greek drinks. What do you prefer beers in Greece, wine in Greece or non alcoholic drinks in Greece? Let us know in the comments below if we are missing something and your favorite Greek beverages.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. As it contains alcohol, it causes vasodilation and lowers blood pressure and also has antimicrobial properties, which is why it’s used in a lot of local remedies for cough, colds, fevers, and headaches. It has also been connected to a reduction in cardiovascular and non-fatal myocardial infarction deaths. The quality of raki is measured in degrees Celsius. A good quality raki is usually at 20 degrees. The distillation process is finished as soon as all the grapes have reached the desired level in the kettle.

Rakomelo, a delectable blend of Raki (Crete's traditional spirit) and locally made honey, is the ideal alcoholic beverage to enjoy during the harsh winter months. It's even betterwhen spiced upwith cloves and cinnamon. During the summer, some people drink it at room temperature or even ice-cold, but the warm versionis more popular. In Crete, November is the month of “Rakokazano”, as they make their appearance at this time of the year. “Rakokazano” is when a group of people gather up and distil Raki, the same unmistakable way as it has been for years. If you find yourself in Crete this month, look for a mountain village in the hinterland, and you will surely find Rakokazano to attend to. Rakomelo is famous for being a Cretan drink, although there are some versions in other Greek islands. For the ones that could fine some good quality raki, a general recipe for rakomelo is 1-2 teaspoons of honey for every 4 shots of raki, along with one clove and about 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, modified to suit different tastes.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 Greek Beer is a must in Greece especially if you are visiting with warm weather. The most popular of the beers in Greece is Mythos which is a lager. Other popular beers in Greece are Alpha and Fix 7. Tsipouro Mulled wine is a beverage made with red wine along with various of spices, like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, peppercorn, star anise or cardamom. Lots of variations include dried fruit such as raisins or lemon or orange rind. But Greeks like to keep it simple with just cinnamon and clove and of course some good quality of Greece’s favorite sweetener, honey.

Nutritionally, yes you have the honey and the spices that can offer some antioxidants, also it is important to note that studies have found that other alcoholic drinks other than wine also contain some protective antioxidants. Also let’s not forget that drinking raki was part of the famous Cretan diet, where men there had virtually no heart disease (in the 60’s). Visinada is one of the sweetest not alcoholic drinks in Greece. Visinada is made with the juice of sour cherries and mixed with syrup. Visinada is usually served cold with ice. So refreshing and perfect for summer! Apart from this, there are also beers from Crete. It’s not as famous as the others, although organic artisanal beers have been gaining increasing interest in recent years. Some of the brands include Cretan Brewery, Solo Beer, Charma Beer and the brand-new Notos Lager by Notos brewery. Tsikoudia has now been established as a PDO product, representing traditional Crete all over the world. It is of high importance that tsikoudia receives due attention from the initial phase of distillation, bottling, and distribution to the final consumption. Where To Buy Raki In Crete?

Mulled wine recipe – Variations

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. One very similar beverage to mulled wine that originates from Greece is actually rakomelo from the island of Crete. It is made by combining raki or Tsipouro with honey and several spices, such as cinnamon and consumed during the winter as a warm drink. Greek Frappe is of course mixing Nescafe with water, shaken with a shaker to make a froth, and you can add ice cubes for extra coldness. 15. Greek Tsai Tou Vounou (Greek Mountain Tea) The popularity of raki increases with every passing day. It is often famous for its 100% natural without preservatives and additives, an authentic distillate full of flavours and aromas. One thing you should know is that Raki should never be consumed plain. It has to be accompanied by tasty appetisers and other treats. You can enjoy it with Cretan foods like rusks, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives and cheese, seasonal vegetables such as beans and artichokes in the spring, fresh fruit in the summer, or homemade pastries.

The “kazanema”, as Rakokazano is also called, takes place in specially designed areas where the cauldron is, of course, prominent. The cauldron varies in size depending on the distillation dynamics. But the process is always the same. The boiler consists of 3 basic parts. The base or pot, the lid, and a tube where the steam is transferred. The distillation fractions are divided into the “ head,” the “ heart,” and the “ tail.” The “head” is characterised by high alcohol content, while the “tail” has higher alcohol with a heavy aroma and taste. “Head” and “tail” are then removed and collected again in the still for the next distillation. The heart is thinned, matured, and then filtered to be bottled. Only the middle part of the distillate, called the “heart,” is intended for consumption.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. Now 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.