arrack

[English]

Arrack or raki may be any eastern spirit, from an aniseed or liquorice-flavoured liquor in the style of raki to a pungent rum. May be distilled from grape, grain, date or the sap of a coconut palm. Its name comes from the Arabic araq, meaning juice or sap. The most famous, Batavia Arrak, is made in Java and is aged for 7-10 years.