What is Rakomelo?
Rakomelo is a spirit drink made from honey by the process of fermenting sugars of honey. The rakomelo can be bought bottled, ready to serve after it has warmed up. It is prepared by combining raki (tsikoudia) or tsipouro with honey and various spices such as cinnamon, cloves, cardamom or other local herbs. Prepared in Crete and other islands of the Aegean Sea as well as in the Greek mainland, and consumed mainly in the winter months as a hot drink. It should not be confused with the roasted raki, which is a local Amorgos drink and is made from raki, sugar and more spices while it is served at room temperature.
Recipe for rakomelo
What we need:
1 liter of raki
honey as long as we want (the ideal for this quantity is 4 tablespoons)
2 cinnamon sticks
2-3 cloves
How do we do it:
In a saucepan, heat carefully raki, then remove from the fire. Then, pour in stirring honey, cinnamon and carnation … and just getting a boil is ready!
It is served hot and is the best cure for colds. (Because raki contains a lot of alcohol, you should be careful not to boil and pour out of the pot because there is a risk of fire.)
If you want, you can visit www.cretaneshop.gr to find handmade and delicious rakomelo!
