Page "Rakı" Paragraph 8

In the Ottoman Empire, until the 19th century, meyhanes run by Greeks and Albanians would mainly serve wine along with meze, due to religious restrictions imposed by various sultans.

Although there were many Muslims among meyhane attendants, sharia authorities could, at times, prosecute them.

With the relatively liberal atmosphere of the Tanzimat Period ( 1839 – 1876 ), meyhane attendance among Muslims rose considerably, and raki became a favorite among meyhane-goers.

By the end of the 20th century, raki took its current standard form and its consumption surpassed that of wine.