Turkish rakı culture is a deeply cherished and unique blend of tradition, social bonding, and mindfulness, extending far beyond the act of drinking. Beyond the drink and the food, rakı culture is fundamentally about meaningful conversations that unfold slowly over the evening, from lighthearted topics to deeper discussions on love, life, or philosophy.
Etymology
Turkish
From göz (eye) + yaş (fresh, wet, moist).
From göz (eye) + yaş (fresh, wet, moist).
Pronunciation
IPA(key): [ɟoezjaʃɯ]
IPA(key): [ɟoezjaʃɯ]
Noun
gözyaşı
1.tear
gözyaşı
1.tear
A Bottle Full of Tears
Gözyaşı builds on the idea that rakı is not just a drink, it is a ritual in which people share their joys and sorrows with those they hold dear. Building on Turkish rakı culture by focusing on the meaningful experiences and connections that unfold around each glass, Gözyaşı is crafted to accompany gatherings that invite both joy and reflection. Every bottle of Gözyaşı serves to remind drinkers that rakı is about slowing down, sharing stories, and engaging in conversations that span the spectrum of emotions—from lighthearted banter to heartfelt discussions about love, life, and purpose. The moments that mean the most to us, are the ones we share with the people we love and cherish the most, this is at the heart of Gözyaşı and every single drop of that goes into the bottle.
Gözyaşı aims to make this culture more accessible to younger generations and an international audience, who are encouraged to participate in these traditions, while experiencing rakı in ways that resonate with them personally. Whether in a cozy home setting or a contemporary social space, Gözyaşı facilitates these shared moments and thoughtful exchanges, embodying a culture of reflection, connection, and mindful enjoyment that has defined Turkish rakı for generations.
Crystal Clear
To honor this tradition, Gözyaşı emphasizes quality and purity in the design of the bottle. The bottle is designed to have the simplest form that a bottle could take, while still clearly retaining its character as a rakı bottle, slightly shrunk around the waist to make it easier to grip. The subtle curves of the bottle elevate the simple form to a statement of refinement and restraint. It is the essence of what a rakı bottle should be.
A Delicate Touch
Elegant, graceful graphics adorn the bottle. The strong relationship between the floral decorations inspired by the Turkish tile patterns, invoking images of traditional gatherings and the long-standing practice of sharing stories. The lettering— set in Etna, designed by Mark Simonson — makes the label exquisitely characterful without needing to shout.
Interpreting Culture Through a Technological Lens
The starting point for every label that goes on a bottle of Gözyaşı is an AI-generated image, creating new, unique images that are still quintessentially Turkish.