A traditional bottle of slivovitz, plum rakia

Croatian Sljivovica and Slovenian Slivovka, two different names for the same drink, a plum rakia

Rakia or Rakija (Bulgarian: ракия, rakiya, Croatian and Bosnian (rakija), Albanian: raki, Macedonian and Serbian: ракија / rakija, Slovenian: žganje, Romanian: rachiu) is hard liquor similar to brandy, made by distillation of fermented fruits, popular throughout the Balkans. Its alcohol content is normally 40%, but home-produced rakia can be stronger, typically 50 to 60%. Prepečenica is double-distilled rakia, with alcohol content sometimes exceeding 60%. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1645x2219, 2376 KB) Summary Slivovitz by Algont of the Dutch Wikipedia. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1645x2219, 2376 KB) Summary Slivovitz by Algont of the Dutch Wikipedia. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1014x1508, 155 KB) Summary Croatian Sljivovica and Slovenian Slivovka, two names for the same drink. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1014x1508, 155 KB) Summary Croatian Sljivovica and Slovenian Slivovka, two names for the same drink. ... Serbian (српски језик; srpski jezik) is one of the standard versions of the Shtokavian dialect, used primarily in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, and by Serbs in the Serbian diaspora. ... Spirits redirects here. ... Brandy pot stills at the Van Ryn Brandy Cellar near Stellenbosch, South Africa. ... Laboratory distillation set-up using, without a fractionating column 1: Heat source 2: Still pot 3: Still head 4: Thermometer/Boiling point temperature 5: Condenser 6: Cooling water in 7: Cooling water out 8: Distillate/receiving flask 9: Vacuum/gas inlet 10: Still receiver 11: Heat control 12: Stirrer speed... Beer fermenting at a brewery. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Rakia is considered to be the national drink among some of the South Slavic peoples: in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, and the Republic of Macedonia. Its most common form, slivovitz, is produced from plums. Other commonly-used fruits are grapes (the most common in Bulgaria, Montenegro and Macedonia), peaches, apricots, apples, figs, and quinces. Plum and grape rakia is sometimes mixed after distillation with other ingredients, such as herbs, honey, sour cherries and walnuts. Anthem Serbia() on the European continent() Capital (and largest city) Belgrade Official languages Serbian written with the Cyrillic alphabet1 Government Parliamentary republic  -  President Boris Tadić  -  Prime Minister Vojislav KoÅ¡tunica Establishment  -  Formation 8th century   -  Independence c. ... Anthem Oj, svijetla majska zoro Oh, the bright dawn of May Montenegro() on the European continent()  —  [] Capital (and largest city) Podgorica Official languages Serbian (Ijekavian dialect)1 Government Republic  -  President Filip Vujanović  -  Prime Minister Željko Å turanović Independence due to the dissolution of Serbia and Montenegro   -  Declared June 3, 2006   -  Recognised... For an explanation of terms related to Macedonia, see Macedonia (terminology). ... Note: This page or section contains IPA phonetic symbols in Unicode. ... It has been suggested that Prune (fruit) be merged into this article or section. ... Species Vitis acerifolia Vitis aestivalis Vitis amurensis Vitis arizonica Vitis x bourquina Vitis californica Vitis x champinii Vitis cinerea Vitis x doaniana Vitis girdiana Vitis labrusca Vitis x labruscana Vitis monticola Vitis mustangensis Vitis x novae-angliae Vitis palmata Vitis riparia Vitis rotundifolia Vitis rupestris Vitis shuttleworthii Vitis tiliifolia Vitis... Binomial name Prunus persica (L.) Batsch Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. ... Binomial name Prunus armeniaca L. For other uses, see Apricot (disambiguation). ... This article is about the satellite APPLE. For the fruit apple, see Apple. ... Species About 800, including: Ficus altissima Ficus americana Ficus aurea Ficus benghalensis- Indian Banyan Ficus benjamina- Weeping Fig Ficus broadwayi Ficus carica- Common Fig Ficus citrifolia Ficus coronata Ficus drupacea Ficus elastica Ficus godeffroyi Ficus grenadensis Ficus hartii Ficus lyrata Ficus macbrideii Ficus macrophylla- Moreton Bay Fig Ficus microcarpa- Chinese... Binomial name Cydonia oblonga Mill. ...

There are many kinds of rakia, depending on the fruit it is produced from:

Normally, rakia is colorless, unless herbs or other additives are added. Some types of rakia are kept in wooden barrels (oak or mulberry) for extra aroma and a golden colour. It has been suggested that Prune (fruit) be merged into this article or section. ... Note: This page or section contains IPA phonetic symbols in Unicode. ... Species Vitis acerifolia Vitis aestivalis Vitis amurensis Vitis arizonica Vitis x bourquina Vitis californica Vitis x champinii Vitis cinerea Vitis x doaniana Vitis girdiana Vitis labrusca Vitis x labruscana Vitis monticola Vitis mustangensis Vitis x novae-angliae Vitis palmata Vitis riparia Vitis rotundifolia Vitis rupestris Vitis shuttleworthii Vitis tiliifolia Vitis... Pomace is a substance prepared by pressing or grinding various fruits, for example in the manufacture of olive oil (from olives), wine (from grapes), or cider (from apples). ... Binomial name Prunus armeniaca L. For other uses, see Apricot (disambiguation). ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... This article is about the satellite APPLE. For the fruit apple, see Apple. ... Binomial name Cydonia oblonga Mill. ... Species About 800, including: Ficus altissima Ficus americana Ficus aurea Ficus benghalensis- Indian Banyan Ficus benjamina- Weeping Fig Ficus broadwayi Ficus carica- Common Fig Ficus citrifolia Ficus coronata Ficus drupacea Ficus elastica Ficus godeffroyi Ficus grenadensis Ficus hartii Ficus lyrata Ficus macbrideii Ficus macrophylla- Moreton Bay Fig Ficus microcarpa- Chinese... This article is about the plants used in cooking and medicine. ... “Walnut Tree” redirects here. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Binomial name Prunus cerasus L. The Sour Cherry or Morello Cherry, (Prunus cerasus) is a species of Prunus in the subgenus Cerasus (cherries), native to much of Europe and southwest Asia. ... Species See List of Quercus species The term oak can be used as part of the common name of any of several hundred species of trees and shrubs in the genus Quercus, and some related genera, notably Cyclobalanopsis and Lithocarpus. ... Species See text Mulberry (Morus) is a genus of 10–16 species of deciduous trees native to warm temperate and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa and North America, with the majority of the species native to Asia. ...

It is supposed to be drunk from special small glasses which hold from 0.3 to 0.5 dl.й

A popular myth is that one can tell the strength of rakia by size of the ring of bubbles (venac) which forms when the bottle is well shaken. This is also mistakenly used as a measure of the quality of the liquor.

In Bulgaria and Macedonia, rakia is generally served with shopska salad, milk salad, pickled vegetables (turshiya) or other salads, forming the first course of the meal. Muskatova rakiya is made from Muscat grapes, while the preparation method of dzhibrova rakiya is the same as for Italian Grappa. Another type of serving is "greyana" rakia, which is heated and sweetened with honey or sugar. Shopska salad or Shop salad (Bulgarian, Serbian, Macedonian: шопска салата, shopska salata; in Czech: Šopský salát) is popular in Bulgaria, Serbia, Republic of Macedonia and the Czech Republic. ... Milk salad is made of strained yogurt, cucumber, and garlic. ... In Bulgarian cuisine Turshiya means pickles. ... For other uses, see muscat. ... Grappa is a fragrant grape-based pomace brandy of between 40% and 60% alcohol by volume (80 to 120 proof), of Italian origin. ...

Ritual use

Although wine is the essential part of the Eucharistic rites in the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches in the region, rakia has found uses in certain religious and related rituals across the Balkans. A glass of red wine This article is about the alcoholic beverage. ... For other uses, see Eucharist (disambiguation). ... Eastern Orthodoxy (also called Greek Orthodoxy and Russian Orthodoxy) is a Christian tradition which represents the majority of Eastern Christianity. ... The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ...

At the end of the Orthodox Christian burial service, at the exit from the cemetery, visitors are offered a piece of soda bread (pogača) and a glass of rakia. When drinking "for the soul" of the deceased, one spills some rakia on the ground before drinking the rest. For the musician, see Burial (musician). ... Whole wheat soda bread (known as wheaten bread in Northern Ireland) Soda bread is a type of quick bread in which yeast has been substituted with baking soda. ...

During wedding ceremonies, the groom's father goes around all tables and offers a glass of rakia to all guests, sharing a toast for the happiness of the newlyweds. In general, in the Balkans, rakia is offered to guests of the home as a welcoming gesture. Nubian wedding with some international modern touches, near Aswan, Egypt Preparing for the photographs, at a wedding in Thornbury Castle, England A traditional Japanese wedding ceremony A wedding is a ceremony which celebrates the beginning of a marriage. ... A groom nervously waits for his bride. ... Hip hip horray! Artists celebrating at Skagen by Danish painter P.S. Krøyer, 1888 A toast is someone or something in honor of which people usually have a drink, the drink or honor itself, or the act (pledge) of indicating that honor. ...

Often, "cooked" (kuvana or greyana) rakia, heated in large kettles, is offered to visitors of various open-air festivities, especially in winter days. It is somewhat similar to mulled wine, as weaker brands of rakia are used (or stronger ones diluted with water), with added honey, sugar and spices. It has been suggested that glogg be merged into this article or section. ...

Raki (rakia) in Albania

Raki was brought to Albania through the Ottoman conquest of the country in the late 14^th century. It is made from fermented and distilled fruit, usually grapes or sometimes plums. Albanian raki contains no anise seed. Raki made from grape is usually considered superior. Mixing raki with water is considered improper and is uncommon in Albania. Motto: دولت ابد مدت Devlet-i Ebed-müddet (The Eternal State) Anthem: Ottoman imperial anthem Borders in 1680, see: list of territories Capital Söğüt (1299-1326) Bursa (1326-1365) Edirne (1365-1453) Constantinople (Istanbul) (1453-1922) Language(s) Ottoman Turkish Government Monarchy Sultans  - 1281–1326 Osman I  - 1918–1922 Mehmed VI... Beer fermenting at a brewery. ... Distillation is a means of separating liquids through differences in their boiling points. ... For other uses, see Fruit (disambiguation). ... Species Vitis acerifolia Vitis aestivalis Vitis amurensis Vitis arizonica Vitis x bourquina Vitis californica Vitis x champinii Vitis cinerea Vitis x doaniana Vitis girdiana Vitis labrusca Vitis x labruscana Vitis lincecumii Vitis monticola Vitis mustangensis Vitis x novae-angliae Vitis palmata Vitis riparia Vitis rotundifolia Vitis rupestris Vitis shuttleworthii Vitis... It has been suggested that Prune (fruit) be merged into this article or section. ...

The process of making raki in Albania is exceptionally difficult, with the slightest mistake turning a potentially perfect batch into what is known as "soft raki", which is considered by many to not be worth drinking. From the mashing of the fruit, to fermenting it under the proper conditions, to making sure that there is the correct amount of fire beneath the distillery barrel and finally to infusing the final product with leaves from the apple tree, it is a laborious task, and those who can do it well are highly respected. Laboratory distillation set-up using, without a fractionating column 1: Heat source 2: Still pot 3: Still head 4: Thermometer/Boiling point temperature 5: Condenser 6: Cooling water in 7: Cooling water out 8: Distillate/receiving flask 9: Vacuum/gas inlet 10: Still receiver 11: Heat control 12: Stirrer speed... This article is about the satellite APPLE. For the fruit apple, see Apple. ...

Albanians are very fond of their national drink, which is sipped in tiny amounts, and both making and drinking raki are almost art forms. It is usually drunk at social gatherings as an apéritif. An apéritif is an alcoholic drink usually enjoyed as an appetizer before a large meal. ...

Some of the best raki in Albania comes from the Skrapar and Përmet districts.^{[citation needed]} The District of Skrapar (Albanian: Rrethi i Skraparit) is one of the thirty-six districts of Albania. ... The District of Përmet (Albanian: Rrethi i Përmetit) is one of the thirty-six districts of Albania. ...

Drinks similar to rakia

• Ouzo, an anise-flavored liqueur in Greece
• Rakı, an anise-flavored liqueur in Turkey
• Tsikoudia a similar drink in Greece, especially Crete
• Tsipouro, an alcoholic beverage of Greece
• Ţuică, a similar drink in Romania.
• Palinka, a similar drink made in Hungary.
• Mead, an alcoholic drink made directly from honey
• Grappa, an alcoholic drink similar to komovica

A bottle of ouzo Ouzo (ούζο) is a Greek anise-flavored liqueur that is widely consumed in Greece. ... Pimpinella species, but the name anise is frequently applied to Fennel. ... Bottles of strawberry liqueur A liqueur is a sweet alcoholic beverage, often flavoured with fruits, herbs, spices, flowers, seeds, roots, plants, barks, and sometimes cream. ... Rakı becomes cloudy white when mixed with water. ... Pimpinella species, but the name anise is frequently applied to Fennel. ... Bottles of strawberry liqueur A liqueur is a sweet alcoholic beverage, often flavoured with fruits, herbs, spices, flowers, seeds, roots, plants, barks, and sometimes cream. ... Tsikoudia or raki is a grape-based spirit from the island of Crete (Greece), made from the distillation of pomace, i. ... For the famous World War II battle, see: Battle of Crete For other uses, see Crete (disambiguation). ... Tsipouro (Greek: Τσίπουρο) is a distilled alcoholic beverage, more precisely a pomace brandy, from Greece and in particular Thessaly, Epirus, Macedonia, and the island of Crete, where the same spirit with a stronger aroma is known as tsikoudia. ... Ţuică (in Romanian , sometimes spelled Tzvika), is a traditional Romanian alcoholic beverage, usually made from plums. ... Palinka (Hungarian pálinka; Romanian palincă; Russian палинка; Slovak pálenka) is a traditional type of brandy that is produced in Hungary, Slovakia, Carpathian Ruthenia and in the Transylvania region of Romania. ... Mead Mead is a fermented alcoholic beverage made of honey, water, and yeast. ... Grappa is a fragrant grape-based pomace brandy of between 40% and 60% alcohol by volume (80 to 120 proof), of Italian origin. ...

References

1. ^ Kom or džibra is the fruity grape mash that remains after winemaking. It contains up to 5.5 litres of pure alcohol per 100 kg, and at least 40% dry matter.
2. ^ Not to be confused with mead, which is made solely of honey.