Arak is a strong distilled alcoholic beverage, but its definition varies widely. In the Middle East and Mediterranean, it is a clear, grape-based drink distilled twice or three times and flavored with anise, which produces a cloudy effect when mixed with water. In Southeast Asia, such as Bali or Java, Arak is a local distilled beverage made from fermented ingredients such as sugar cane, rice, or palm sap, giving it a wide range of characteristics.
