Askalon
Arak from Israel • Levantine Heritage • Free Shipping From $1,499 MXN
"Named in honor of the ancient city of Ashkelon, Askalon distills the age-old tradition of Arak: pure aniseed over a wine-spirit base."
1. Arak: The Anise Spirit of the Eastern Mediterranean
Arak is one of the oldest and most deeply rooted spirits of the Eastern Mediterranean, traditionally made from grape spirit flavored with green aniseed and triple-distilled in copper stills. Askalon takes its name from the ancient port city of Ashkelon, one of the oldest settlements on Israel's Mediterranean coast, and makes its Arak following this classic method, using a wine spirit as its base rather than the neutral grain spirits that many industrial brands in the region use.
This choice of raw material is decisive: starting from a wine distillate, the Arak keeps a silkier texture and a cleaner aromatic profile, in which anethole (the essential oil of aniseed) blends in without leaving harsh or chemical notes. The result is a transparent spirit that, when diluted with water, transforms visually through an emulsion phenomenon known in other Mediterranean traditions —such as Greek ouzo or French pastis— as the "louche effect".
At La Cava Shop we include Askalon in our selection of international spirits, with free shipping on purchases from $1,499 MXN, 90 days for free returns and specialized shock-proof packaging for glass bottles. Also discover more Lebanese Arak and anise and our anise liqueurs.
2. Askalon Arak Special
The House Classic
The Askalon Arak Special 750 ml is the house's flagship label: a transparent, triple-distilled Arak that balances the intensity of aniseed with the smoothness of its wine base. Made for traditional Levantine service: diluted with cold water, with ice added at the end, never at the beginning.
Its versatility makes it a powerful digestif and, at the same time, an excellent table companion for the spiced cuisine of the region.
3. Traditional Serving Guide
The Arak ritual requires respecting the order: first the spirit, then the cold water (in a ratio of roughly one part Arak to two parts water) and, last, the ice. Adding ice directly onto neat Arak can crystallize the aromatic oils and take away texture on the palate.
It is the natural companion of the Middle Eastern mezze: hummus, baba ganoush, grilled kofta, fried fish and tart salads with sumac such as fattoush, thanks to its ability to cleanse the palate between spiced and fatty bites.
4. Frequently Asked Questions about Askalon
What sets Askalon Arak apart from other anise spirits?
Its wine-spirit base, rather than neutral grain or molasses spirits, gives it a silkier texture and a cleaner aniseed profile, with no chemical background notes.
Why does Arak turn white when mixed with water?
It is the louche effect: the essential oils of aniseed, insoluble in water but soluble in alcohol, emulsify when diluted, producing the white, milky appearance characteristic of Mediterranean aniseed spirits.
Why buy Askalon at La Cava Shop?
Original bottles, specialized shock-proof packaging for glass, free shipping across Mexico on purchases from $1,499 MXN and 90 days for free returns.
Get Askalon at La Cava Shop
Bring the taste of the Levant to your table, from Israel to anywhere in Mexico.
- ✔ Original bottles: Askalon, Israel.
- ✔ Safe shipping: Specialized shock-proof packaging across Mexico.
- ✔ Free shipping: On purchases from $1,499 MXN, with 90 days for free returns.
Israel • Traditional Arak • Levant
Buy Askalon Arak