Aragh Sagi

Aragh sagi (Persian: عرق سگی, romanized: araq-e sagi, lit. doggy [metaphor for extreme] distilled [beverage]) is a type of Iranian moonshine. This distilled alcoholic beverage usually contains around 50% alcohol. However, since it was produced without much quality control, it may have contained more or less alcohol, at times even reaching 80%. A high-quality aragh sagi tastes similar to grappa. Some Western sources call it Persian or Iranian Vodka.[1][2][3]

Aragh sagi
TypeSpirit
ManufacturerMeykadeh Company
Country of origin Iran
Region of originQazvin
Discontinued1979 (legal production)
Alcohol by volume 45%–55%
up to 90% if homemade
Proof (US)90–110
up to 180 if homemade
ColourTransparent
IngredientsAlcohol produced from raisins or dates
Related productsArak, rakı, absinthe, ouzo, pastis, sambuca

Etymology

Aragh (عرق, "Arak") are aromatic liquids that are produced by distillation from herbs and seeds, for example mint or anise. Alcoholic aragh is produced from raisins,[4] dates, etc. Aragh sagi is a purer and stronger sort of Iranian arak distilled from raisins but without anise.

Aragh Sagi literally means "doggy distilled [beverage]", from sag (سگ "dog" in Persian being a metaphor for extreme). Back in 1960s, the Meikadeh Company produced aragh with a picture of a dog (a beagle) on the bottle label as a logo, and soon public started referring to it as aragh sagi or "doggy aragh", and the name stuck.[5]

Legality

Since the Iranian revolution in 1979, Alcohol is illegal in Iran. [6]As such, homemade Aragh sagi in Iran is produced illegally.[3]

History

It is usually produced in homes from fermented raisins. Its production and possession by ordinary citizens is considered illegal in Iran (which is the case for all alcoholic beverages in Iran). Prior to 1979 revolution in Iran, this product had been produced traditionally in several cities, such as Yazd. Since it was outlawed after 1979, it became a black market and underground business. Today, aragh sagi is widely considered a cheap alcoholic beverage that consumers choose due to lack of other available alternative options.

References
  1. Entry on "Persia" in J. Robinson (ed), "The Oxford Companion to Wine", Third Edition, p. 512-513, Oxford University Press, 2006, ISBN 0-19-860990-6
  2. Hugh Johnson, "The Story of Wine", New Illustrated Edition, p. 58 & p. 131, Mitchell Beazley 2004, ISBN 1-84000-972-1
  3. Fassihi, Farnaz; Nikounazar, Leily (2023-07-14). "Alcohol Poisonings Rise in Iran, Where Bootleggers Defy a Ban". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-09-06.
  4. "Aragh Sagi (Persian: عرق سگی) arak and arak saggi Persian Empire". araghsaggi.ca. Retrieved 2023-09-06.
  5. "The secret local drinks you need to order in 19 countries around the world". Shortlist. 2017-07-31. Retrieved 2023-09-06.
  6. Rezaei, Negar; Ahmadi, Naser; Shams Beyranvand, Mehran; Hasan, Milad; Gohari, Kimiya; Yoosefi, Moein; Djalalinia, Shirin; Saeedi Moghaddam, Sahar; Modirian, Mitra; Pazhuheian, Forough; Mahdavihezaveh, Alireza; Moradi, Ghobad; Delavari, Farnaz; Larijani, Bagher; Farzadfar, Farshad (2022-11-18). Bennett, Derrick Anthony (ed.). "Alcohol consumption and related disorders in Iran: Results from the National Surveillance of Non-Communicable Diseases' Survey (STEPs) 2016". PLOS Global Public Health. 2 (11): e0000107. doi:10.1371/journal.pgph.0000107. ISSN 2767-3375 – via National Library of Medicine.


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