arrack

noun

ar·rack ˈa-rək

ə-ˈrak

variants or arak

: an Asian alcoholic beverage like rum that is distilled from a fermented mash of malted rice with toddy or molasses

Examples of arrack in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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Born in the 18th century, this Swedish-Finnish libation blends strong arrack, brandy, or rum with tea, citrus, and a dash of sugar. —

Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Dec. 2023 Downstairs, the bar provides an intimate hideaway, with a menu of cocktails featuring spirits banned by colonial rule in Sri Lanka and beyond including: mezcal, cachaca and Sri Lankan arrack. —

Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from Indonesian Malay arak, borrowed by uncertain mediation from Arabic ʿaraq, short for ʿaraq al-tamr, literally, "sweat of the date (from which the liquor was originally distilled)"; ʿaraq derivative of ʿariqa "sweat, perspire"

First Known Use

1521, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of arrack was in 1521

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