spirits liqueur
estate
53%
Massaya Arak Silver
Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
About this product
Massaya Arak Silver is one of Lebanon's most respected commercial arak expressions. Arak is the original Mediterranean anise spirit — distilled from grape wine with star anise added, triple-distilled in copper pot stills. Unlike pastis (which uses liquorice) or ouzo (which may use grain spirit), authentic arak is always grape-based and triple-distilled. Served in the Lebanese tradition: 1:2-3 with cold water and ice, turning milky.
The deductive profile Library
appearanceclear; louches milky white when diluted
nosestar anise, grape spirit, subtle herbs, clean
palatestrong, anise-forward, grape warmth, clean finish
signaturethe original anise spirit — grape base + star anise, triple distilled
Service
foodmezze — hummus, labneh, grilled meat, kibbeh, tabouleh
glasssmall tumbler or traditional Lebanese arak glass
ratio1 part arak : 2-3 parts cold water, over ice
sequenceice first, arak second, cold water third (louches dramatically)
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Open The LibraryThe quality ladder Library
Premium commercial arak — grape-based, triple-distilled
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Open The LibraryTasting profile
star anise, grape spirit, subtle herbs, clean
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Pairings
complement
casual
Massaya Arak Silver's anise and grape bridges the fattoush's sumac; a Bekaa Valley spirit for Lebanese mezze
classic
aperitif
complement
vegetables_legumes
Arak is the foundational Lebanese mezze companion: its anise character cuts through hummus's sesame-olive oil richness, refreshes between dishes, and pairs with the smoke of baba ganoush
classic
aperitif
complement
meat_poultry
Arak's cool anise refreshes the palate between the smoky, spiced, charred meats of a Lebanese mixed grill; the cold louchée (with water) contrasts the heat
classic
main
complement
produce_specialty
The Lebanese mezze table is inseparable from arak. Massaya Arak's star anise character and grape warmth refreshes the palate between bites of rich hummus, tangy labneh, and herb-heavy tabbouleh. Arak and mezze is one of the world's great food-spirit traditions.
classic
aperitif
complement
charcuterie_cheese
Shanklish's fermented, herb-rolled, intensely flavoured character is the classic arak meze cheese; its sharpness is softened by the spirit's anise and the tomato-onion freshness
classic
aperitif
complement
meze
Massaya Arak and kibbeh nayyeh are the Lebanese meze tradition; arak is always the kibbeh companion
classic
starter
complement
food
Massaya Arak Silver bridges the sumac and pomegranate of fattoush; the anise lifts the citrus-herbal salad
classic
casual
complement
seafood
Sayadieh's complex spice profile (cumin, coriander, turmeric) and the caramelised onion sweetness find the anise's coolness a natural contrast; the fish's delicacy is not overwhelmed
established
main