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Slivovitz (rakia) is an alcoholic drink common in the Balkans, made from fermented fruits by distillation. The name rakia is common in countries such as Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Croatia.
An identical drink made in Romania is called palinka or cuica.
History of the drink
The production of slivovitz began in the XNUMXth century in Serbia in peasant villages. The local population liked the sweetish and multifaceted taste. Production has become massive.
There is evidence that when information about slivovitz reached the upper class, the nobles turned to the ruler with a request to ban moonshine. Based on the petition, the emperor issued a law prohibiting production.
However, this did not prevent its spread. The drink was so fond of the local population that already in the XNUMXth century it spread throughout the territory of modern Europe.
Review of plum brandy
Slivovitz has spread throughout the Balkan countries. She also took root in Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. For Serbs, plum brandy has become a national drink. On the territory of this country, 12% of plums from the global production are grown.
Depending on the number of distillations, the strength of the drink varies from 40 to 75 times the volume of alcohol. On average, drinks with a strength of 45–53% vol. alc.
Exposure is made in oak barrels for an average of 5 years. However, there are varieties that are aged from 2 to 20 years.
When aged in oak barrels, slivovitz acquires a rich aroma of ripe plums, as well as a magnificent golden hue, and is saturated with notes of oak.
If you wish, in Serbia you can visit many excursions and establishments that provide an opportunity to get acquainted with the process of making an old drink.
Popular brands of slivovitz
That’s it
Fortress 40 degrees, white or yellowish color, with a sharp aroma of plums.
It is quite rough and has a sharp taste with a specific moonshine smell of fresh plums.
It has a bright aftertaste of a very ripe plum.
Zufanek
Fortress 50 degrees, white. During the production period, it contains a large proportion of alcohol, reaching 56%, and therefore it has to be diluted.
Dilution is carried out with spring water until an alcohol percentage of 50% is reached.
Exposure is made in specialized metal vats in underground rooms at a temperature control of 12 ° C.
Aged for 8 months to a year. During this period, it acquires its magnificent taste.
Jelinek Slivovice Gold
Strength 45 degrees, light golden color, with the aroma of plums and notes of ripe fruit and shades of oak. Produced since 1934
Slivovitz is made from sun-dried plums of autumn varieties, which are collected in specialized mortars, where they are kneaded and the fermentation process begins.
The recipe for this drink belongs to Karel Singer, who founded the plant in Vizovice.
Jelinek Slivovice Bila
Fortress 45 degrees, white, with a mild aroma of plums. Plum brandy (brandy), which has been produced since the middle of the XNUMXth century by Rudolf Jelinek.
Produced from dark late varieties of plums dried in the sun. Next, the plums are collected in mortars, where they are slightly kneaded and fermented.
To obtain a crystal clear drink without a single shade of golden color, plum brandy is distilled three times.
Jelinek Gold Slivovitz Kosher
50 degrees, golden or white, with a mild aroma of ripe plum and oak.
Slivovitz made at the R.-Jelinek factory has been produced since 1934 according to the original recipe from dried dark plums, which are collected in mortars, kneaded and fermented.
Golden slivovitz undergoes a threefold distillation, as a result of which it acquires its unique taste and aroma.
This drink is aged for 5 years in oak barrels, acquiring new aromatic notes.
luxardo
Fortress 40 degrees, transparent color, with the aroma of ripe plums. Plum brandy produced by Luxardo has a typical taste and aroma.
Its manufacturing process is complex and lengthy. Dark plums are harvested and then crushed without removing the pits.
This is followed by a fermentation process, which reaches three months. Distillation is carried out according to an old recipe and left to age in oak barrels for two years.
Distillery At The Green Tree
Plum brandy produced by Palirna U Zeleneho Stromu is a brandy with a rich fruity taste, with bright, well-pronounced plum tones.
The drink is made from natural, high-quality plum distillate.
The distillate, if necessary, is diluted with soft drinking water to the desired level of strength.
When the required level of alcohol is reached, the drink is sent for maturation, as a result of which it acquires its own taste and aroma.
Granette & Starorezna
With a strength of 53 degrees, transparent color, with a bright sweet aroma of plums.
Slivovitz produced by Granette & Starorezna stands out for its delicate, delicate velvety taste with a very long fruity aftertaste.
Interesting fact
The spread of plum brandy outside Eastern Europe was due to Jewish emigrants. Vodka and other grain-distilled spirits are not kosher during Passover, and slivovitz has become a counterpart for kosher Jews.
Many of the current plum brandy productions around the world have kosher certificates for their products.
How to drink plum brandy
Alcohol is usually consumed as an aperitif due to its high alcohol content. It should not be mixed with other alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks or juices.
Slivovitz is consumed in different forms: chilled, at room temperature and even warmed up. Different temperature conditions open up new shades of taste.
The drink is served with toasted cornbread as an appetizer. However, according to tradition, the first glass is drunk without snacks.
Relevance: 12.12.2019
Tags: brandy and cognac