Arak saggi is Iran’s best-known traditional spirit: a clear, strong drink distilled from fermented raisins. You will see it spelled many ways: aragh sagi, araq sagi, arak sagi, aragh saghi or simply aragh. In Persian it is written عرق سگی.

What does “arak saggi” mean?

Aragh (عرق) is the Persian word for a distilled liquid, and also the word for sweat, after the drops that form inside a still. In Iran the word covers many distilled waters, including non-alcoholic ones made from herbs such as mint.

Sagi comes from sag, the Persian word for dog. The usual story is that in the 1960s the Meykadeh company put a beagle on its label, so drinkers started calling it “doggy aragh”, and the name stuck. In everyday Persian, “dog” is also used to mean something extreme, which suits a spirit this strong.

How is it made?

Traditional aragh sagi is made only from raisins, which are fermented and then distilled. Some modern versions also use dates or grapes. The result is a clear, unaged spirit that is often compared to Italian grappa.

How strong is it?

Traditional and homemade aragh sagi was often very strong, typically around 45–55% alcohol. Bottled arak saggi sold in the UK is usually 40% ABV, the same strength as most vodka and gin.

Arak saggi in Iran today

Legal production in Iran stopped after the 1979 revolution, when alcohol was banned. The drink lives on in Iranian homes and among Iranians abroad, and brands outside Iran now produce it legally.

Is it the same as Lebanese arak or ouzo?

No. Levantine arak (from Lebanon, Syria and Jordan), Greek ouzo and Turkish rakı are flavoured with aniseed and turn cloudy when you add water. Persian aragh sagi is normally unflavoured, with a clean, slightly fruity taste from the raisins.

Is it “Persian vodka”?

Shops outside Iran sometimes call it Persian vodka because it is clear and strong, but strictly it is a fruit spirit, closer to grappa or brandy that has not been aged.

How to drink arak saggi

• Neat and chilled: the classic way, in small glasses, sipped slowly between bites of food.
• With mazeh: Persian drinking snacks such as mast-o-khiar (yogurt with cucumber and mint), torshi (pickled vegetables), cucumber with salt, fresh herbs, nuts and kebab.
• On the rocks or with a mixer: over ice, or topped up with soda or your favourite mixer.

Where to buy arak saggi in the UK

Persian Market delivers arak saggi across Great Britain:

• Cyrus Premium Arak Saggi, 40%, 700ml. Made in small batches in Schiedam, Holland.
• Omar Khayyam Authentic Grape Vodka (Arak Saggi), 40%, 700ml. Made from Chardonnay and Riesling grapes rather than raisins, and diamond filtered.
• Persian Empire Arak Saggi, Black Widow and Saffron Arak: coming soon.

See the full arak saggi collection, or explore our saffron gin and saffron vodka and Persian wine.

عرق سگی در بریتانیا

پرشین مارکت عرق سگی، ودکای زعفرانی، جین زعفرانی و شراب ایرانی را به سراسر بریتانیای کبیر (انگلستان، اسکاتلند و ولز) ارسال می‌کند. برای خرید باید حداقل ۱۸ سال سن داشته باشید.

Please drink responsibly. You must be 18 or over to buy alcohol, and ID is checked on delivery. Find out more at drinkaware.co.uk.

Source for the history: Wikipedia, “Aragh Sagi”.