Top Picks: Exceptional Arak Brands You Need to Try!

Arak, a traditional Levantine spirit made from aniseed and grapes, has been enjoyed for centuries and holds a significant cultural value in the Middle East. As enthusiasts around the world seek out this distinctive drink, certain brands have emerged as the frontrunners in crafting the finest arak available. From bold flavors to smooth finishes, these top brands emphasize quality and heritage in their production process. Discover the best arak brands below, and experience the unique taste of this celebrated spirit.

Illustration of arak

Best brands of arak in 2025

Arak Haddad

Arak Haddad, a renowned producer of arak, offers both Gold and Silver labels, with the Gold label being triple-distilled from the finest aniseed and grape alcohol, while the Silver label combines anise, alcohol, and treated water, both typically around 50% ABV. The brand, produced by Eagle Distilleries Company in Jordan, is a popular Jordanian beverage known for its traditional production methods of boiling, condensing, and aging, resulting in a refined and smooth taste. To fully enjoy, water is added until the drink turns milky white, and ice is added. Arak Haddad has been perfecting its craft for generations, with the brand’s production contributing to the growing arak market, estimated to increase by USD 2597.1 million from 2024 to 2028. You can explore more about Arak Haddad.

Ksarak

Ksarak, a premium Lebanese arak produced by Chateau Ksara, is crafted using the finest grapes and aniseed from the Al-Henah region, known for producing the best anise in the world. It is triple-distilled, resulting in a spirit with a smooth, silky taste and an alcohol content of 53%. Following a traditional process, Ksarak is then aged for two years in handmade clay jars, which refines its unique flavor profile. This arak, with its complex aromas of anise and a touch of pepper and fennel, has garnered international recognition, including a gold medal at the 2019 International Review of Spirits in Chicago. The production of Ksarak has been ongoing since 1868, making it a long-standing tradition of Lebanon. You can find more information about this product at Ksarak Arak on Chichukai Store.

Arak Razzouk

Arak Razzouk, a premium Lebanese spirit with roots tracing back to the 18th century, is made from distilled grape juice and aniseeds, offering a distinctive anise flavor. It is often served with water, typically in a 50/50 or 30/70 ratio, turning the drink milky white, and is bottled by the first company to sell Arak under a brand name. This potent 100 proof (50% ABV) beverage is aged for at least six months. For more information, you can visit their official brand page.

Arak Touma

Arak Touma, established in 1888, is renowned for producing high-quality arak, traditionally distilled from grapes and anise, with an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 53%; their arak is meticulously crafted using time-honored methods, resulting in an exceptionally smooth and authentic spirit, and has become a favorite in the region.

Arak El Massaya

Arak El Massaya, a premium Lebanese spirit, is crafted in the Bekaa Valley using traditional methods, including triple distillation in copper stills heated by vine wood, and is flavored with organic aniseed. The arak is made from Obeidi grapes and then matured for an average of two years in ancient clay amphorae, resulting in a smooth, aromatic spirit with an alcohol content of 53%. It is known for its crystal-clear appearance and inviting fresh anise aroma, making it a delightful aperitif or digestif, and often enjoyed with meals and in cocktails, and it is bottled unfiltered and unfined. Arak El Massaya embodies the rich heritage of arak-making with its meticulous production process, which uses the finest ingredients. More information can be found on their official page.

Arak Fakra

Arak Fakra, a premium Lebanese spirit, has been produced since the early 18th century, using traditional methods of triple distillation with "Obeidi" and "Merwah" grapes, and "Hina" aniseed, aged in clay jars, resulting in a distinctive flavor with a 55% alcohol volume. The brand is known for its commitment to quality and rich heritage, appealing to both connoisseurs and casual drinkers, and is recognized as one of the best known Lebanese Arak varieties. Arak Fakra's unique taste is attributed to the combination of soil, climate and sunlight affecting the vines and aniseed, as well as the use of "Assal" and "Laban" springs in the process. This Arak is available in various sizes such as 700ml and 750ml bottles. For more information, visit their official website.

Arak Wardy

Arak Wardy, a distinguished Lebanese spirit producer since 1881, crafts its arak from a blend of Obeidi, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc grapes, which are triple-distilled with fresh aniseed and matured for two to three years in clay amphorae. This meticulous process results in a smooth drink with a 53% alcohol content. Arak Wardy has been recognized with the Gold Medal “Best in Class” at the International Wine & Spirit Competition in 2006, among other awards, making it one of the best arak producers. You can find more information about their products on the Domaine Wardy website.

Arak Al-Zummurud

Arak Al-Zummurud, a premium spirit with 52% alcohol by volume, is crafted using high-quality grapes and anise seeds primarily sourced from the Heena plains near Al-Sheik Mountain, embodying a rich Middle Eastern heritage and offering an authentic taste. This distinguished beverage is typically mixed with water and ice to achieve a milky-white color and is distilled using a traditional method that ensures a complex and aromatic profile. For more information, visit their website: Arak Al-Zummurud at CityDrinks.

Arak Al-Kaissar

Arak Al-Kaissar, a premium Lebanese spirit with an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 53%, is meticulously crafted, offering a distinct anise flavor that stands out from other similar beverages and is known for its smooth taste, making it a preferred choice for those who appreciate a high-quality arak, often enjoyed as an aperitif with traditional mezza. The brand is produced in Lebanon, where it undergoes a traditional distillation process, and is celebrated for its authentic taste. You can find out more about the product on the Lebanos website.

Arak Ramallah

Arak Ramallah, a renowned producer of arak since 1919, is a family-owned distillery from Palestine, crafting this traditional spirit with high-quality grapes and aniseed using methods that include fermentation, distillation, and aging, resulting in a smooth, aromatic beverage with alcohol content typically around 40-50% ABV and a distinct licorice taste; this arak is known for its complexity and smoothness, often enjoyed diluted with water, which transforms its clear appearance into a milky white.