Arkhi

Arkhi (Mongolian: Архи, ᠠᠷᠢᠬᠢ, lit. "alcohol," sometimes translated as vodka) is a liquor made from airag, fermented milk brandy, or isgelen tarag (Mongolian: исгэлэн тараг, ᠢᠰᠬᠦᠯᠡᠩᠲᠠᠷᠠᠭ, or kefir)^[1] which then gets distilled. Isgelen tarag often uses the milk of a mare, donkeys, sheep, cows, the yak, camels^[2] (specifically, khoormog (ингэний хоормог)) or of reindeer, depending on local traditions or availability.^[3] The Mongols adopted the distillation technology from Arab and Islamic producers of arak, a grape-based spirit, substituting their own local fermented ingredients to distill sometime in the 13th century.^[4] Their transmission of this technology to Korea led to the production of Soju there.^[4]

It holds special status in Mongolia and Inner Mongolia, both as the prime spirit of choice among pastoral units^[1] and served to esteemed guests.

It is often reserved for the family and never sold in Mongolia, slowly being replaced by vodka, also referred to as arkhi.^[5]

In and around Inner Mongolia, it is more regularly produced and sold. Industrial production and bottling occurs in locations such as Chifeng.

• Tarasun