Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Best
Drinking
İstanbul may be the biggest city in a predominantly Muslim country, but İstan-
bullus like nothing more than a drink or two. To join them, head to the bars and
taverns in Beyoğlu and along the Bosphorus. On the Historical Peninsula, the
tipples of choice are çay (tea) or
türk kahve
(Turkish coffee).
Rakı
Turkey's most beloved tipple is rakı, a grape spirit infused with aniseed. Similar to Greek
ouzo, it's served in long thin glasses and drunk neat or with water, which turns the clear li-
quid chalky white.
Turkish Wine
Turkey grows and bottles its own
şarap
(wine), which is extremely quaffable but expensive
due to high government taxes. If you want red wine, ask for
kırmızı şarap
; for white wine,
beyaz şarap
. As well as producing vintages of well-known grape varieties, Turkish wine-
makers also use local varietals including
boğazkere
and
buzbağ
(strong-bodied reds),
emir
(a light and floral white),
kalecik karası
(an elegant red) and
narince
(a fruity yet dry
white).
Turkish Coffee
A thick and powerful brew,
türk kahve
is drunk in a couple of short sips. If you order a cup,
you will be asked how sweet you like it -
çok şekerli
means 'very sweet',
orta şekerli
'mid-
dling',
az şekerli
'slightly sweet' and
şekersiz
or
sade
'not at all'.
