Rakomelo (Greek Honey and Spice Warmed Raki)

Rakomelo is Crete’s answer to mulled wine: fiery raki gently warmed with honey, cinnamon, and cloves until it turns smooth and fragrant. Locals pour it for guests on cold winter nights, often after a long meal.

Ingredients

• 2 cups raki or tsipouro (unflavored Greek grape spirit)
• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 4 whole cloves
• 2 strips orange peel

Instructions

1. Combine the ingredients
   Add the raki, honey, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange peel to a small saucepan.
2. Warm gently
   Heat over low heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the honey, until steaming but not boiling, about 8-10 minutes. Do not let it simmer hard, or the alcohol will cook off too quickly.
3. Steep
   Remove from heat and let steep for 5 minutes so the spices infuse fully.
4. Strain and serve
   Strain out the spices and orange peel, and pour into small glasses. Serve warm.

Rakomelo is traditionally sipped slowly in small glasses, not shot back.