Rakı

Turkey's Culture and Tourism Ministry has introduced a list of top 10 appetizers along with delights of Turkish cuisine, gastronomic routes and must-visit restaurants on its official GoTurkey website.

Introducing Turkey's tourism and cultural diversity to the world, the website has started to feature the richness of Turkish cuisine to let visitors get the authentic taste of Turkey.

Turkish security forces have confiscated bootleg alcohol during targeted operations across the country in the runup to New Year's Eve.

Different amounts of bootleg were seized in various provinces, but the security units found the biggest stash in three provinces.

The most important reason for the supply and consumption of bootleg alcohol is the high taxes that have been levied on alcoholic beverages in recent years, according to a report prepared by the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP).

SOFIA, BULGARIA - "Capital"  reports that, according to the International Organization of Wine and Spirits Record (IWSR), Bulgaria is among the top six in the world for consumption of spirits per capita, as the statistics also include domestic production.

Ouzo drink with its strong anise flavour and with a little hint of Greece is a clear drink which gets milky-like when water is poured into it and aromas emerge and demonstrate its other qualities. Ouzo is so much more than just a drink. It is a way of life in Greece as it makes people loosen-up, brings them together especially when it is served with mouthwatering mezedakia (tidbits).

Sales of ethyl alcohol in supermarkets are reportedly skyrocketing across Turkey, as many locals opt to produce alcoholic drinks at home, including the traditional beverage rakı, amid rising taxes on alcohol. 

Traditional Greek spirits like raki, ouzo and tsipouro are attracting more drinkers in Greece as they are more affordable for those struggling financially due to the crisis, according to recent research which found that the cheaper spirits have also become the preferred drink among those suffering from alcoholism.

Gendarmerie forces on April 10 raided a wedding hall that included an underground bootleg alcohol plant in Istanbul's Başakşehir district, detaining five suspects, Doğan News Agency has reported.  
 
Thousands of liters of bootleg alcohol stored in industrial bottles and ready for delivery across Turkey was seized during the raid. 

Police in the Aegean province of İzmir seized at least 40 tons of bootlegged rakı and whiskey and 100 tons of raw materials used in the production of alcoholic beverages, in a raid on Feb. 27, Doğan News Agency has reported.

Tsipouro and raki producers risk losing their favorable tax status if Greece loses its battle at the European Court of Justice, following a referral on Wednesday by the European Commission.