When one imagines a vacation rental in Crete or a holiday in Greece, they might picture themselves sipping chilled drinks on the beach but, if you find yourself there in the colder months, then we have a seasonal beverage in mind that might be a little more suitable. Rakomelo is the Greek alternative to mulled wine and is a hot, spiced beverage originally from Crete that is served at the ski resorts dotted throughout the country and in lots of towns all over Greece, with regional variations. If you're in Greece over the winter and making the most of the fact that 80% of the country is covered in mountains and it is, surprisingly, quite a good place to go skiing, then you should make sure to grab a glass of this magical stuff and curl up by the fire after long days on the slopes.
Rakomelo comes from the combination of “raki”, a Cretan distilled drink also known as tsikoudia, and “meli”, the word for honey. It is made with honey, cloves, and cinnamon and is usually made in a “briki”, which is a small coffee pot like the one used to make Greek coffee. Depending on the region and personal preference, other spices and ingredients can be added but those mentioned above are the basic requirements for this classic Greek winter warmer. A digestive spirit that is high in powerful antioxidants such as flavonoids, Rakomelo is traditionally used by many Greeks as a home remedy for a sore throat or cough but is also a tasty alcoholic treat to be enjoyed as you get cosy on a cold day.
If you want to try it out for yourself and can't wait, while you plan your winter getaway to Greece, you can try out the recipe below. Some specialised liquor stores also sell premixed and bottled versions of the drink so keep an eye out!
Ingredients:
1–2 teaspoons of honey
4 shots of raki
1 clove
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
Method:
1. Pour the raki into a saucepan over a medium heat.
2. Add the honey and stir until it dissolves then add the clove and cinnamon.
3. Stir all the ingredients together and serve warm.
If you want to try it out for yourself and can't wait, while you plan your winter getaway to Greece, you can try out the recipe below. Some specialised liquor stores also sell premixed and bottled versions of the drink so keep an eye out!
Ingredients:
1–2 teaspoons of honey
4 shots of raki
1 clove
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
Method:
1. Pour the raki into a saucepan over a medium heat.
2. Add the honey and stir until it dissolves then add the clove and cinnamon.
3. Stir all the ingredients together and serve warm.