Name: Cretan Rakomelo (Ρακόμελο Κρήτης)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 13 min
Yield: 4 small servings
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 240ml Cretan tsikoudia (raki); 60g Greek thyme honey; 1 cinnamon stick; 2 whole cloves

Question 1

How do you make Cretan rakomelo with tsikoudia?

Accepted Answer

Make Cretan rakomelo by warming 240ml Cretan tsikoudia with 1 cinnamon stick and 2 whole cloves over the lowest heat for about 4 minutes. Stir in 60g Greek thyme honey for 3 to 4 minutes, then strain and serve hot in small heatproof glasses.

Question 2

Why should rakomelo never boil?

Accepted Answer

Rakomelo should never boil because high heat drives off the alcohol in Cretan tsikoudia and dulls the fragrance of Greek thyme honey. Keep the saucepan on the lowest heat and warm the rakomelo until hot to the touch with no bubbling.

Question 3

Can I use tsipouro instead of Cretan tsikoudia for rakomelo?

Accepted Answer

Yes, use a clean, unflavored Greek tsipouro if Cretan tsikoudia is unavailable. Avoid aniseed spirits because their licorice flavor does not belong in Cretan rakomelo and will compete with the thyme honey, cinnamon stick, and whole cloves.

Question 4

What honey is best for Cretan rakomelo?

Accepted Answer

Greek thyme honey is best for Cretan rakomelo because it gives the warm tsikoudia drink its distinctive floral, herbal backbone. Mild flower honey works as a substitute, but very dark, bitter honey can overpower the small measure of spirit and spices.

Question 5

Can I make rakomelo ahead of time?

Accepted Answer

Measure the Greek thyme honey, cinnamon stick, and whole cloves earlier in the day, but warm Cretan rakomelo just before serving. Keep the tsikoudia at room temperature before heating so it warms evenly and quickly without needing higher heat.

Question 6

How do you store and reheat rakomelo?

Accepted Answer

Reheat rakomelo gently once by keeping it covered and warming it over low heat without boiling. Do not store rakomelo for days with the cinnamon stick and whole cloves inside, because the cloves will dominate the thyme honey and tsikoudia.

Culinary Explorer

Cretan Rakomelo (Ρακόμελο Κρήτης)

Ingredients

Cretan tsikoudia (raki)

Greek thyme honey

cinnamon stick

Where cooking meets culture.

Ingredient	Quantity
Cretan tsikoudia (raki)	240ml
Greek thyme honey	60g
cinnamon stick	1