Imagine…

You're in Istanbul. That's right: the gorgeous, sprawling mega-city in Turkey.

You are enjoying a perfectly sunny day with your friends, absorbing the incredible sights of the Aya Sofia and the Blue Mosque. You have never seen such stunning and marvelous architectural feats. And built so long ago! The Aya Sofia dates back to the 4th century in what used to be Constantinople, and the rivaling Blue Mosque was built by the Ottomans in the 15th century.

It is night now and you find yourself lounging around at a bar, tired from a long day in the sun. You and your friends are smoking hookah - apple or mint, take your pick – reclining outside in the fresh air on a set of comfy wicker couches. The couches are dark reds and oranges, matching the sunset you saw earlier looking out over the Bosporus Strait. The scene is lively. Pedestrians bustle past on the street in front of you and the air is filled with the hum of cars in the distance. Turkish music plays in the background of the bar and a futbol match is on the TV. The hookah is making you relax and enjoy the company of your friends amidst the sea of people.

You waiter comes back over. What to order to drink?

So many options on the menu. But you are adventurous and want a high-class liquor, so you splurge on a shot of raki. It is known as the Turkish unofficial national drink and comes in a variety of forms. Usually it is served in a glass mixed with water, because when mixed, the two clear solutions will turn white – see if you can pull that off in chem lab.

Your waiter is so proud of you when you order (you of course get a round of this mystifying drink for the table). He chuckles when he brings the raki out, and is anxious to see your reaction to it. With the added water, it takes a few gulps to get the whole drink down…

If you ever find yourself living this wonderful dream, be prepared for a licorice taste. A strong one. Savor as much of it as you can and if you aren't a licorice fan, well, stick it out. You can't give up now. Maybe take a hit of hookah to chase your sip, or you go for the chug to get it all down with as little taste as possible. Your waiter might be eying you out of the corner of his eye to see how the raki is treating you, pleased to witness your novel response.

You enjoy the experience and perhaps even the taste too, but also remember the Turkish saying:

You must drink the raki, and not let the raki drink you.