Rakı Sour

Rakı Sour is bright, aromatic, and gently silky, with the bold anise character of rakı lifted by fresh lemon and rounded by honey. Shaken ice-cold, it drinks crisp and refreshing while still keeping the spirit’s distinctive Turkish identity.

Nutrition · per serving

152kcal

0.1gProtein

9gCarbs

0gFat

0.1gFiber

2 servings

Ingredients

6 items

Kokteyl karışımı

rakı100 ml

fresh lemon juice50 ml

honey20 g

cold water30 ml

ice cubes200 g

Servis

thin lemon slice2 slices

Tips

•For a brighter, sharper sour, reduce the honey to 15 g total; for a softer, rounder drink, increase it to 25 g.
•If you prefer the classic cloudy louche effect of rakı, add a small splash of extra cold water in the glass just before serving.
•Use freshly squeezed lemon juice only; bottled juice makes the drink flatter and harsher.

Steps

1
Chill 2 small tumblers or coupe glasses if possible. Juice the lemon if not already juiced, and have all ingredients measured before mixing so the drink stays cold and balanced.
2
In a cocktail shaker, combine the rakı, fresh lemon juice, honey, and cold water. Stir briefly with a bar spoon or shake lightly without ice for a few seconds first if the honey is thick; this helps it dissolve evenly.
100 ml rakı50 ml fresh lemon juice20 g honey30 ml cold water
3
Add the ice cubes, seal the shaker, and shake hard for 10-15 seconds until the outside feels very cold. Proper chilling softens the alcohol and gives the drink a light froth from the citrus and honey.
200 g ice cubes
4
Strain evenly into the 2 glasses over fresh ice if desired, or serve straight up. Garnish each drink with a thin lemon slice and serve immediately.
2 slices thin lemon slice

Origin & History

Rakı is Turkey’s iconic anise-flavoured spirit, traditionally diluted with water and enjoyed alongside meze. Modern bar culture has adapted it into contemporary cocktails like the Rakı Sour, combining classic sour structure with the spirit’s unmistakable herbal character.

turkish cocktail rakı lemon vegetarian quick beginner

Do even more with Gourmate

Cook this recipe in Gourmate — your AI meal planning app.

Plan Meals

Weekly planner at a tap

Ask Questions

Chat with your AI chef

Adjust Recipe

Scale servings & swap ingredients

Cook Mode

Step-by-step guidance

Kitchen Timers

Built-in timers & alerts

Grocery List

Auto-generated shopping lists

Open in App Download Gourmate

Steps

Chill 2 small tumblers or coupe glasses if possible. Juice the lemon if not already juiced, and have all ingredients measured before mixing so the drink stays cold and balanced.

In a cocktail shaker, combine the rakı, fresh lemon juice, honey, and cold water. Stir briefly with a bar spoon or shake lightly without ice for a few seconds first if the honey is thick; this helps it dissolve evenly.

100 ml rakı50 ml fresh lemon juice20 g honey30 ml cold water

Add the ice cubes, seal the shaker, and shake hard for 10-15 seconds until the outside feels very cold. Proper chilling softens the alcohol and gives the drink a light froth from the citrus and honey.

200 g ice cubes

Strain evenly into the 2 glasses over fresh ice if desired, or serve straight up. Garnish each drink with a thin lemon slice and serve immediately.

2 slices thin lemon slice