Tag: Raki

  • Debate over national drink reveals Turkey’s Muslim-secular split

    Debate over national drink reveals Turkey’s Muslim-secular split

    Debate over national drink reveals Turkey’s Muslim-secular split

    By Jonathan Burch, Reuters

    ANKARA — If you are looking for one sure way to split public opinion in Turkey, just bring up the word alcohol.

    That is what Turkey’s often divisive prime minister did late on Friday when he pronounced that the national drink was not beer, nor the aniseed spirit raki — choice tipple of Turkey’s founding father — but the non-alcoholic yoghurt drink ayran.

    Given the setting of his speech — a symposium on global alcohol policy in Istanbul — Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s comments appeared far from controversial, but so sensitive is the topic that the mere mention of it by the pious leader, known for his dislike of alcohol, has Turkey’s secularists up in arms.

    During the single-party rule of the Turkish Republic’s early years by what is now the country’s main —

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    and staunchly secularist — opposition party, state promotion of alcohol amounted to propaganda, Erdogan said.

    “Beer was unfortunately presented as a national drink. However, our national drink is ayran,” he said, referring to the staple lunchtime refreshment of yoghurt, water and salt, usually swilled down with a meaty kebab.

    “There is no way you can defend as a lifestyle the consumption of alcohol which has no benefit to society, but on the contrary inflicts harm,” Erdogan continued.

    No sooner had he made his remarks, broadcast live on television, than social media lit up with derisive comments symptomatic of the gaping divide between Turkey’s conservative Muslims on the one hand and secularists on the other.

    “It’s true, all of you drink ayran with your pasta inside your mosques,” read one comment directed at Erdogan’s official Twitter account.

    “We take example from our FOREFATHER who drank our National Drink: raki,” the message continued, referring to Turkey’s founder, soldier-statesman Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who was often photographed with a glass of the anisette spirit in hand.

    “Erdogan, will you do a shot of ayran with me?” taunted another user on Twitter, while others lamented the prime minister’s intrusion into their lives: “What’s it to you what the nation drinks? You go drink ayran. Leave me alone.”

    SECULAR UNEASE

    Behind the jibes lies a deeper unease among Erdogan’s opponents who say his government, which has its roots in political Islam, is eroding the secular foundation of modern Turkey, not least through its policies on alcohol.

    Erdogan’s government has imposed some of the highest consumption taxes on alcohol in the world, and under its tenure an increasing number of municipalities have imposed restrictions on drinking in public as well as on national advertising.

    Most recently it banned alcohol sales on all domestic and some international flights of its national carrier.

    The government says it is not attempting to interfere in people’s lives and is simply trying to bring the country up to European norms by controlling alcohol sales and protecting the younger generation as it negotiates to enter the European Union.

    But unlike Western countries, which also impose restrictions, Turkey does not have an alcohol problem. Only six percent of Turkish households consumed alcoholic drinks in 2008, down from eight percent in 2003, according to the Betam research centre at Istanbul’s Bahcesehir University.

    For many Turks it is simply the prime minister’s authoritarian style they have an issue with. Often brusque in manner, Erdogan can come across as a stern father, also lecturing people on the dangers of cigarettes and even suggesting how many children families should have.

    But in a country where Erdogan has dominated politics virtually unchallenged for the past decade, his word is final. Shares in Turkey’s top listed dairy producer Pinar Sut, which makes ayran, rose 3 percent shortly after Erdogan’s remarks.

    via Debate over national drink reveals Turkey’s Muslim-secular split – San Jose Mercury News.

  • Prime Minister Causes Stir Over Turkey’s Top Tipple

    Prime Minister Causes Stir Over Turkey’s Top Tipple

    Is it Lion’s Milk or Cow’s Milk? That’s the question many Turks are asking after Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan made another foray into the nation’s drinking habits late on Friday.

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    Is it Lion’s Milk or Cow’s Milk?

    That’s the question many Turks are asking after Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan made another foray into the nation’s drinking habits late on Friday.

    Speaking at the global alcohol policy symposium in Istanbul, the Prime Minister, a devout Muslim known for a distaste of alcohol, said Turkey’s national drink was Ayran, a salty yoghurt drink made from Cow’s Milk.

    That sparked the ire of many secular Turks who have long held that the nation’s top tipple is Raki, an alcoholic drink known as lion’s milk and favorite of modern Turkey’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

    Prime Minister Erdogan did not specifically mention Raki, but lamented how beer and other alcoholic drinks had been encouraged during the early days of the Republic when Ataturk’s administration reoriented Turkey towards the west after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.

    “In a single party government, alcohol promotion was turned into such an exaggerated propaganda that billboards were put up in the restaurants. It was said that alcohol is useful,” Mr. Erdogan was quoted as saying by state-run news agency Anadolu. “Moreover in the first years of Republic alcoholic drink beer was unfortunately introduced as a national drink in some books. However our national drink is ayran…Alcohol offers no benefits to a society,” he said.

    The power of Mr. Erdogan, who has won three consecutive elections and is known to be eyeing a run for Turkey’s president, was illustrated by the market reaction to the speech. Shares in PinarSut Mamulleri, Turkey’s largest listed dairy producer, immediately jumped 3% higher on the comments. Shares in Turkey’s largest beer manufacturer Anadolu Efes were unmoved on the news but were 2% higher than the opening price.

    Data from Turkey’s statistics agency suggests that Ayran has some distance to travel before taking the top prize. 2012 numbers shows that consuption of Ayran, a drink wildly popular in Turkish speaking countries but often maligned by foreigners for its salty taste, was 442,000 tonnes in 2012. Consumption of Beer in the Turkish market was 998,000 tonnes according to data from Turkey’s Alcohol Regulator.

    News of the speech immediately generated a vigorous debate among Turks on social media, underscoring how the issue of alcohol remains emblematic of the polarization betweenTurkey’s observant Muslims and secular masses.

    Mr. Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party has long promised an Islam-infused democracy and has sought to rehabilitate a conservative Ottoman legacy long-discredited for decades during an iron-fisted secular rule. Many secular-minded Turks think the ruling party is systematically undermining the founding principles of theTurkishRepublicin order to make the country more religious.

    Friday’s intervention over alcohol is reminiscent over a thorny debate in February over news Turkish Airlines, one of the world’s fastest-growing carriers would change attendant’s uniforms and ban alcohol on an undetermined number of flights. That news brought allegations from commentators that the company was dramatically reorienting its culture as a result of political pressure fromTurkey’s islamist-rooted ruling Justice and Development Party. Turkish Airlines sought to quell criticism by stressing that it would only ban alcohol on domestic flights and on eight overseas routes to Islamic countries where the local carriers operated the same ‘dry’ policy.

    For many Turks, debates which speak to the country’s divisions are flaring then fizzling, with increasing regularity.

  • Yeni Raki Carries ‘The Spirit of Istanbul’ to Europe

    Yeni Raki Carries ‘The Spirit of Istanbul’ to Europe

    ISTANBUL, March 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ —

    Yeni Raki Carries "The Spirit of Istanbul" to Europe

    Increasingly more events are being held via the “The Spirit of Istanbul” communication platform launched last year in Berlin by leading Turkish and worldwide raki brand Yeni Raki. This week, Yeni Raki will offer the Europeans a new concept in entertainment: “The Spirit of Istanbul Week,” featuring a series of entertaining events in contracted restaurants in various European cities between 8 and 16 March 2013.

    Yeni Raki will also hold home parties for selected individuals unable to attend the restaurant events. Moving confidently towards world brand status through the activities, Yeni Raki also contributes significantly to the promotion of Istanbul.

    With “The Spirit of Istanbul Week” to be held from March 8-16, 2013 in such important European cities as London, Amsterdam and Berlin, Yeni Raki will bring the energy of Istanbul to Europe.

    (Photo: )

    By arranging special weekly events in contracted venues, Yeni Raki aims to show Europeans the modern aspects of raki enjoyment. Throughout the week, Yeni Raki will decorate these venues with giant visuals featuring the Istanbul skyline, and offer entertaining activities such as rhythm and Istanbul dance workshops.

    Those unable to visit the event venues will still have the chance to win a Yeni Raki house party by taking part in a competition organized on the company’s official Facebook page. The parties will allow Yeni Raki to carry Istanbul’s spirit to people’s homes, offering a host of entertainment and surprise activities including oriental dancing, percussion shows, DJs, Turkish cuisine and more.

    In order to promote the event, Yeni Raki has been using outdoor, digital and guerilla campaigns to decorate the streets of cities like London, Amsterdam and Berlin with “The Spirit of Istanbul Week” visuals. Yeni Raki plans to continue these promotional events throughout Europe and the world.

    For more information: https://www.facebook.com/yenirakiglobal

    For further information please contact

    Zarakol Communication Services

    Metin Aksoy

    Tel: +90-212-217-29-99

    Tel: +90-549-798-22-22

    Email: metin@zarakol.com.tr

    SOURCE Yeni Raki

    via PR Newswire UK: Yeni Raki Carries ‘The Spirit of Istanbul’ to Europe — ISTANBUL, March 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ –.

  • How to drink like a lion in Istanbul

    How to drink like a lion in Istanbul

    By Kara Newman

    Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:31am EDT

    istanbulbars

    (Reuters.com) – Bridging Europe and Asia, Istanbul has become Turkey’s financial, cultural and historic centre. In addition to quality local wines and beers, the city’s tipplers consume their fair share of distilled spirits – particularly vodka, tequila and whiskey – with a cocktail culture on the ascent.

    “The most popular drink in Istanbul is raki,” says Cevat Yildrim, bartender at local restaurant Lucca (<www.luccastyle.com/>).

    This clear, anise-flavoured spirit, widely considered the national alcoholic drink of Turkey, is made from grapes and distilled to an alcohol level comparable to vodka (40 percent alcohol by volume or higher).

    Most consume the spirit straight up as a shot, or diluted with water, which changes the colour of the spirit to a milky white (leading to its nickname “Lion’s Milk” – also a reference to the courage of those who dare to drink raki).

    According to Istanbul-based tour guide Burak Sansal, drinking raki has its own set of rituals. “Most important is what it is to be partaken with,” he writes.

    “White cheese is the main and unchangeable ‘meze’ of raki,” though cold vegetable and seafood dishes also are favoured pairings.

    The Bosphorus divides Istanbul in two, and most of the best places to eat and drink come with vast water views. Although many bars and clubs close their open-air terraces during the winter months, Istanbul is noted for its lively approach to nightlife and drinks flow freely.

    In addition to his own establishment, Yildrim also recommends venues such as Sunset Grill & Bar (<www.sunsetgrillbar.com/>), noted for its stunning views of the Bosphorus, strong wine list and affluent clientele.

    Other picks include Turkish-Italian restaurant Paper Moon (<www.papermoonmilano.com/>) and Ulus 29 (<www.group-29.com/>), a bar and club located on the hilltop of Ulus.

    In addition, he recommends the bars of five-star hotels such as the Four Seasons Istanbul (<www.fourseasons.com/istanbul/>) which boasts two properties: Sultanahmet, closer to the tourist attractions of the Old City, and higher-end Bosphorus, where nightlife flourishes.

    At these upscale bars and restaurants, raki will be available for the asking, but wine and fruity cocktails (such as the one below) fill out the menu listings. Be sure to raise your glass and roar: “Serefe!”

    RECIPE: Chilli Passion Margarita

    Courtesy of Cevat Yildrim, Lucca

    2 ounces Patron Silver Tequila

    1 ounce orange liqueur

    1 ounce passion fruit

    1 ounce lime concentrate

    3/4 tablespoon chilli pepper juice

    In a cocktail shaker, combine all ingredients with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a Margarita glass. (Kara Newman is the author of “The Secret Financial Life of Food”, Columbia University Press; publication date autumn 2012. Any opinions expressed are her own.) (Editing by Peter Myers)

    via The Spirited Traveller: How to drink like a lion in Istanbul | Reuters.