Top Raki Brands: Elevate Your Spirits with These Premium Picks

Raki, the iconic anise-flavored spirit from Turkey, has garnered a significant following due to its unique taste and cultural heritage. Many brands vying for the label of “best” offer subtle variations that cater to diverse palates, making the choice an exciting exploration for enthusiasts. Some brands stand out for their traditional production methods, while others earn praise for innovative approaches. Below, we invite you to explore a curated list that highlights the finest raki brands celebrated both in Turkey and internationally.

Illustration of raki

Best brands of raki in 2025

Yeni Rakı

Yeni Raki, produced by Diageo, is the most popular and widely produced raki brand, representing a 500-year-old Turkish raki culture. It is made from a well-balanced mixture of fresh and dried grapes, with an alcohol content of 45% and 1.5 grams of aniseed per liter. First launched in 1937, Yeni Raki is known for its distinctive flavor and is often consumed with seafood or meze. The brand has maintained its quality despite changes in the market, including the privatization of Tekel in 2004. Yeni Raki's production involves careful selection and processing of grapes, ensuring a high-quality product.

Tekirdağ Rakısı

Tekirdag Rakisi is a renowned brand in the production of Turkish raki, known for its high-quality products made from fresh grapes and aniseeds. The Tekirdag Rakisi No: 10, in particular, is distilled three times and has an alcohol content of 47.5%, characterized by its intense whiteness when mixed with water and a mild, velvety taste. This brand has been producing raki since its inception, with the No: 10 variant launched in 2014. The use of artesian waters from Corlu and traditional handmade copper alembics contributes to its distinctive flavor. It is often consumed as an aperitif or digestive, paired with mezzes, yoghurt, and grilled dishes.

Efe Rakı

Efe Raki is a renowned producer of raki, known for its high-quality and authentic products. Established after the removal of the state monopoly on spirits production in 2003, Efe Raki began production in 2004 and quickly gained popularity, with all its initial production sold within the first six months. The brand uses triple-distilled grape alcohol and aniseed from the Aegean coast, resulting in a distinct taste and aroma. Efe Raki's production capacity was increased from 5 million liters to 14 million liters per year by 2005 to meet demand. The brand's products, such as Efe Raki Gold, are matured in oak barrels for at least four months, ensuring a smooth and silky texture.

Beylerbeyi Rakı

Beylerbeyi Raki, founded in 2007 by the Sarper Family, is a premium raki producer known for its high-quality products distilled in the Aegean Region of Turkey. The brand offers several varieties, including Beylerbeyi Gobek Raki, which is triple distilled using aniseeds from Kalinkoz and virgin suma, and Beylerbeyi Teragold Raki, which is double matured in clay jugs and oak barrels with no added ethyl alcohol or sugar. Beylerbeyi Raki adheres to strict standards, ensuring a minimum 40% alcoholic content and rich aniseed flavor. The production process involves traditional methods under the supervision of a master distiller, emphasizing local ingredients and meticulous attention to detail. This commitment to quality makes Beylerbeyi Raki a standout in the Turkish raki market. For more information, you can visit their official website.

Altınbaş Rakı

Altinbas Raki is one of the top-quality brands of Turkish raki, known for its high alcohol content of 50% ABV. This premium raki is produced from fresh grapes suma, collected from a very narrow heart cut, making it very smooth and aromatic. It is favored for its distinctive flavor and is often compared to other renowned brands like Yeni Raki and Tekirdag Rakisi. Altinbas Raki has maintained its reputation since its introduction, particularly appreciated for its rich anise flavor. The brand's production standards ensure a consistent and high-quality product. Learn more about Turkish raki.

Kuşçubaşı Rakı

Yeni Raki, produced by Mey Alkol, is one of the most renowned brands of Turkish raki, with an alcohol content of 45% and 1.5 grams of aniseed per liter. Introduced before 1630, raki is a national drink of Turkey, traditionally made from twice-distilled grape pomace and flavored with aniseed. Yeni Raki, originally produced by the state-owned Tekel until its privatization in 2004, remains a popular choice. It is often served with seafood or meze and is known for its strong licorice aftertaste. The drink is typically consumed slowly over a long period, often with ice, which causes it to turn milky white, earning it the nickname 'lion's milk.'

İzmir Rakısı

Izmir Rakisi, produced by Mey|Diageo, is a prominent brand in Turkey's raki market, known for its high-quality anise-flavored spirit. This brand, along with others like Yeni Raki and Tekirdag Rakisi, contributes to the annual production of over 60 million liters of raki in Turkey. Izmir Rakisi is made using traditional methods, involving the distillation of grape skins and the addition of aniseed, resulting in a distinctive flavor. The alcoholic content of Izmir Rakisi, like other standard raki, is at least 40% according to Turkish standards. Mey|Diageo's expertise and international knowledge have enhanced the production and distribution of Izmir Rakisi. For more information on their sustainability efforts, you can view their sustainability performance summary.

Saki Rakı

Saki Raki, particularly the Gold Series Altin Serisi, is renowned for its high-quality production process, utilizing superior grapes from Turkey's most fertile soils and aniseeds from Cesme/Izmir, distilled in special copper alembics. This brand stands out for its rigorous distillation and filtration process, with the grape spirit (suma) distilled and filtered 10 times to achieve its highest form. The raki is purified with underground mineral waters from Salihli (Manisa) without any added sugar, ensuring a pure and unique flavor. This attention to detail and traditional methods make Saki Raki one of the best producers of raki, aligning with the 500-year tradition of this Anatolian beverage. The brand's commitment to quality and cultural heritage is evident in every bottle. Learn more about their Saki Gold Series Raki Altin Serisi.

Mercan Rakı

Mercan Raki, produced by Taris, is a notable brand in the Turkish raki market, emerging as a significant player after the privatization of the state monopoly in 2004. This brand, along with others, contributed to the sharp increase in raki brands from just four to over 70 by 2014. Mercan Raki is known for its high-quality production, utilizing traditional methods and local ingredients. The brand's entry into the market was part of the larger trend of increased competition and product diversification in the raki industry. Despite regulatory challenges, Mercan Raki has maintained its presence and reputation in the Turkish spirits market. For more information, visit the Mercan Raki page on their website.

Topkapı Rakısı

Topkapi Rakisi, while not explicitly mentioned in the provided sources, can be inferred to adhere to the traditional production methods characteristic of Turkish raki, the national drink of Turkey. Typically crafted from twice-distilled grape pomace and infused with aniseed, raki boasts an alcoholic content of at least 40% in accordance with Turkish standards. Renowned brands such as Yeni Raki and Tekirdag Rakisi are celebrated for their quality, with Yeni Raki possessing 45% ABV and containing 1.5 grams of aniseed per liter. The meticulous production process includes distilling the spirit up to a maximum of 94.55% ABV before dilution and flavoring. A burgeoning trend highlights the use of fresh grapes for crafting superior quality raki, exemplified by products like Efe Yas Uzum Rakisi.