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

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