18+ Traditional Arak Distilleries You Should Check Out In Lebanon
Arak, Lebanon's national drink, is distilled from grapevines and anise seeds and left to ferment for several weeks, some up to 3 years.
That strong Lebanese drink is known as the Milk of Lions , referring to its cloudy white color when the anise oils meet water in the drinker’s glass.
It is also labeled as such for being a strong spirit, with an alcohol percentage ranging from 40% to 63%.
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Arak is part of Lebanon’s culinary heritage and is served with Mezza, the array of appetizers and light dishes known to the Lebanese traditional gatherings over a meal.
In traditional Lebanese culture, the Arak has also been used as a home remedy to temporarily soothe adults' toothaches. The liquid is gently dubbed with the tip of the finger on the aching tooth for immediate relief. No wonder in that. The anise in the arak works as an anesthetic.
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Arak is now booming in the global market. According to a recent report by A2Z Market Research, the demands on the Arak has been on a steady growth globally and it's mainly due to 2 reasons:
it is becoming more and more popular among the younger generation
there is a new trend of using the Arak as a key ingredient in a variety of cocktails, and that trend is expected to boom worldwide by 2027-2028, according to the report.
The Lebanese Milk of Lions is a must-try in its traditional form at least once in a lifetime.
If you want to have a wholesome Arak experience in Lebanon, here is a list of distilleries you should check out:
#1 Arak Touma
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Known for its excellent production of Arak, this family-owned and managed distillery has been producing the Lebanese Milk of Lions since 1888 in Lebanon. The distillery is located in Qob Elias, Bekaa.
Contact: +961 08 500 801
#2 Arak Abou Akl
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The founder of this Lebanese Arak brand, Moussa Abi Akl, created his own Arak trademark in 1935. He started exporting his triple-distilled products to Canada in the 1980s and to the US in the 1990s. The Lebanese diaspora claimed that his Arak tastes like home.
Arak Abou Akl is located in Mtein. Contact +961 71 615 717.
#3 Arak Al Karram
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Since 1983, Arak Al Karram, a family business, was handed from one generation to another, producing distinctively flavored Arak in the Bekaa valley.
Contact +961 03 960 998.
#4 Abi Raad Group
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Another old distillery in Zahle, Abi Raad was founded in 1936 and has been crafting high-quality Arak known as Al-Khityar. The group also produces wine, liquor, and Lebanese syrups like Jelleb .
Contact: +961 70 395 107.
#5 Riachi Distillery
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