The cellar index

BrandyCollection 17

Rakia

A shared regional family of grape and fruit spirits with many local identities.

Origin & traditionThe Balkans

Character & context

Understanding Rakia

Rakia, also spelled rakija, is a broad Balkan tradition rather than a single recipe. Grapes, plums, apricots and other fruits can provide the base, and some spirits mature in wood. The country's naming conventions and the named fruit help distinguish one bottle from another. Fruit, strength and maturation deserve more attention than the umbrella name.

Further reading: UNESCO — the Serbian plum-spirit tradition

Read related observations