Livin' On Lion's Milk Now, one might not initially think of the Turks as imbibers of precious alcoholic spirits. Not so, my friends. Here from ancient ruins of Troy to the lush vineyards of Izmir to mosques and bazaars of Istanbul, the Thirsty Traveler soon discovers Turkey’s rich traditions associated with liquor, and the Turks’ fondness for one very special home-grown spirit - raki. This deliciously sweet cousin to Greek ouzo and French pastis is a Turkish staple when sharing good times with friends and family. The question is, however, how much Lion’s Milk can the Thirsty Traveler down?