Raki is a Turkish spirit with a refreshing aniseed flavour. It’s not sweet like ouzo, it’s much cleaner and fresher. Traditionally the drink is served on ice as an accompaniment to fish and meze. The flavour works wonderfully with creamy yogurt and fresh seafood. I love it like this but for a party it’s wonderful jooshed up with watermelon and lime. The fruit takes it somewhere completely different and turns the spirit into a clean cocktail that is perfect to serve before a meal.
Method
- Peel, deseed and roughly chop the watermelon. Chuck the pieces into a food processor and blend into a juice. Place a fine sieve over a mixing bowl and pour in the watermelon. Using the back of a spoon, muddle the watermelon through the sieve to remove any bits of pip.
- Tip plenty of ice into a jug and pour in the watermelon. Add the lime juice, raki and sugar. Mix well.
- Put the mint into six glass and fill with ice. Pour in the cocktail and serve immediately.
Ingredients
Serves 6
2kg watermelon
The juice of 6 limes
300ml raki
6 tsp sugar
6 sprigs mint
Ice to serve
