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).

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. Tsikoudia is a single-distillation drink, unlike Ouzo and Tsipouro. The grapes or tsikoudia, which are then pressed grapes with skins and seeds intended for tsikoudia, are kept for about 40 days after pressing in barrels where they “boil”, and fermentation takes place. The barrels are transported and placed by the distiller in the cauldron, which is placed on a base. When it is time to boil, they are put into the boiler with water. Underneath, they light a wood fire, where the grapes begin to boil. The fire should be neither too strong nor too loose. The intensity of the fire is important so that the grapes do not sizzle or burn, and the tsikoudia smokes and gets a bad smell. The distillation continues before our eyes.

Rakomelo Drink Recipe Instructions

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. Raki, in general, is a very beneficial drink. While it is an alcoholic drink that should be consumed accordingly, Cretan raki seems to have health benefits when consumed in moderation of 1 to 2 glasses in a day. DS Distillers company focuses on the creation of high-quality products following all necessary steps in the production chain, with consistency, safeguarding the quality of raw materials, and respecting farmers, nature, and consumers. Their goal is to bring out the best possible outcome and put in place the Cretan Raki and all other Greek distilling products. One of the most iconic places to enjoy rakomelo is Psyrra, a “disco cafe” as they jokingly describe themselves, in reality, a tiny, convivial bar in the Psyrri neighbourhood, with tables out on the street, and heating lamps and blankets to keep you warm during winter,” they add.

Vinsanto is a sweet wine produced in Santorini one of the most popular places to visit in Greece. Vinsanto is made of sun dried grapes and it’s perfect partnering with cheese, sweets and fresh fruits. 5. MASTICHAThe final amount of distilled liquid contains the least amount of alcohol, while the actual raki is made in the middle of the whole process. This takes about three hours. During this time, the kettle owners must taste the alcohol content, turn the heat up or down, and finally stop the distillation when the raki has achieved the desired taste. 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. This popular winter drink is usually served warm and you will definitely find it in mountainous and ski areas and is also often used as a home remedy that helps fight a common cold. 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 Cretan Raki is a locally distilled, crystal clear spirit, solely made from grapes, without any additives or preservatives. It is a strong digestive drink with 40% to 65% alcohol percentage. For Cretans, it is considered a sign of friendship, nobility and a great social conversation starter. What are the facts around the drink of Raki? 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. 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.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. Rakiis the most popular of the Greek drinks considered as Greece’s national drink. Raki is made from distilled grapes and anise. Straight Raki will be the popular national drink, while Mastikha will be the Raki version prepared with gum mastic. 3. RETSINA WINE Once the boiling starts, the steam is collected at the top of the boiler, which contains alcohol and water. The steam passes through the pipe, and as it freezes, it liquefies, and the distillate of tsikoudia comes out, and the “protoraki”, which is not drunk but can be used for rubbing due to high degrees. The liquid starts to flow out from the tube. If you are not able to find raki, you can try making this with grappa (although I’m sure a Cretan person would not approve). 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.

Get into the holiday spirit with hot red wine mulled with cinnamon, cloves and honey (krasomelo)! Mulled wine recipe – Variations 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).

Rakomelo (Raki with honey) – A traditional Cretan beverage

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. Rakomelo ( Greek: ρακόμελο (or racomelo, from raki ( ρακή) + meli ( μέλι), meaning " honey") is a Greek mixed alcoholic drink. [1] It is a digestive spirit, traditionally used by many Greeks as a home remedy for a sore throat or cough. [2] Types [ edit ] 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? The future of tsikoudia seems to be very promising thanks to the inspiration, insight, and dynamics of Cretan distilleries and wineries. For many years Cretan tsikoudia was produced in small quantities in every village and every household across Crete. Homemade tsikoudia was distributed mainly in plastic water bottles. A precious treasure that was generously given from hand to hand as a symbol of friendship, appreciation, joy, and well-being.