Yeni RakEdit
Yeni Rakı is one of Turkey’s most recognizable spirits and the flagship rakı brand produced in the country. It sits at the intersection of Turkey’s long-standing drinking culture and the modern, market-driven beverage industry. As a product of Mey İçki, a subsidiary of Sabancı Holding, Yeni Rakı reflects the country’s blend of tradition and industrial scale, with broad appeal from urban centers to Turkish communities abroad.
Rakı, the family of anise-flavored spirits to which Yeni Rakı belongs, has deep roots in Anatolian and Ottoman culinary and social life. Yeni Rakı emerged as a leading expression of that tradition in the modern era, helping to define how Turks socialize in homes, restaurants, and clubs. The brand’s reach extends beyond national borders as Turkish cuisine and hospitality have found fans in diaspora communities and international markets. Rakı Mey İçki Sabancı Holding Turkey
History
Rakı has been part of Turkish social rituals for generations, but the commercial production and branding of modern rakı intensified in the latter half of the 20th century. Yeni Rakı was introduced in the late 1960s as part of a wave of product modernization within the Turkish beverage sector, designed to offer a reliable, high-quality option that could compete in both domestic markets and expanding export channels. The brand quickly became synonymous with convivial gatherings and the meze-and-rakı tradition that accompanies meals and celebrations across many regions of the country. Rakı Turkey
The growth of Yeni Rakı coincided with the broader liberalization and modernization of Turkey’s economy. As private industry expanded, the brand benefited from a growing middle class, changing urban tastes, and a regulatory environment that increasingly favored private sector production and distribution. The expansion also included increasing interest in international markets where Turkish cuisine and hospitality are appreciated. Turkey Mey İçki
Production and varieties
Yeni Rakı is a distillate primarily based on grapes and anise, following the general method used for rakı production. After distillation, the spirit is typically blended to reach the desired strength (commonly around 40–45% alcohol by volume) and is traditionally served with cold water or ice, turning cloudy in a process known as louche. The ritual of pouring, diluting, and pairing with meze is a hallmark of how the drink is consumed and enjoyed. The brand has also introduced variations over time to suit evolving consumer preferences, including different bottle formats and marketing campaigns designed to appeal to younger audiences while maintaining the core identity of a traditional Turkish spirit. Rakı Anise Meze
Cultural significance
Yeni Rakı sits at the heart of a distinctive Turkish social routine. Gatherings involving meze, conversation, and music frequently feature a glass of rakı as a centerpiece, with the drink acting as a social lubricant that accelerates camaraderie and conversation. This cultural role supports a hospitality-oriented national ethos that values warmth, conversation, and shared experience. The brand contributes to a national dialogue about identity, modernity, and how traditional practices adapt to a modern economy and globalized markets. Meze Turkish cuisine
Economic and regulatory context
The Turkish beverage sector is a significant contributor to tax revenue and employment, with brands like Yeni Rakı playing a prominent role in both domestic consumption and export. Government policies—ranging from taxation and excise duties to licensing and advertising restrictions—shape the business environment for producers and retailers. Advocates of market-oriented policies argue that a competitive, well-regulated private sector can deliver consumer choice, drive innovation, and expand economic opportunities without compromising public health. Critics, often from more interventionist perspectives, emphasize the need for strong public-health safeguards; in practice, this translates into age checks, responsible marketing, and enforcement against illicit trade. The balance between these concerns is a constant feature of debates about alcohol policy in Turkey. Turkey Taxation in Turkey Alcohol in Turkey Mey İçki
Controversies and debates
Controversies around Yeni Rakı and rakı culture generally center on two themes: public health and regulatory policy, and the cultural meaning of alcohol in a modern society. On health and safety grounds, proponents of less regulation argue that adults should be free to make their own choices, provided there is adequate information and enforcement against underage consumption and counterfeit products. Opponents stress the social costs of alcohol use, including health issues and disorder, and seek stricter controls. Supporters of market-based reform argue that a robust and transparent regulatory framework, combined with fair taxation, is preferable to heavy-handed or inconsistent rules that distort competition or create black markets. The debates reflect broader tensions between tradition, personal responsibility, and public policymaking in a modern, globalized economy. Public health Regulation Mey İçki Sabancı Holding