Joseph Gold & Sons Elite Arak 750ml

Joseph Gold & Sons is one of Israel's oldest distillers: the Gold family started in Haifa in 1824 and now works in Tirat Carmel, and Elite is one of its arak brands. Arak is the anise spirit of the Levant, here bottled at 40%.

Neat it is clear and sharply anise. With cold water it turns milky white and softens, the classic way to drink it. Arak is drier than most anise liqueurs, so the anise reads clean and the finish is crisp. Like all anise spirits, it louches because the anise oils come out of solution in water.

Arak, ouzo and rakı are close cousins. Buy this one for a Middle Eastern table, alongside hummus, grilled meats and salads.

The traditional pour is about one part arak to two parts cold water, over ice, added after the water. Serve it with mezze through a long meal.

Browse the rest of our liqueurs and cordials. Pick it up at our Brooklyn store or get same-day delivery in Brooklyn, Manhattan & Queens.