What is Rakia?

Rakia is the unofficial national drink of Bulgaria, a powerful clear type of brandy made from grapes. The name ‘rakia’ derives from a distortion of the word ‘arak’, which in Arabic means sweat, and relates to the distillation processes involved in producing spirits.

There are countless brands available, and it’s normally drunk with ice as an aperitif or with light meals.

Traditionally, many Bulgarians distilled Rakia at home using fruits that were in season.

Commercially -sold Rakia is made of grapes and has an alcohol by volume (ABV) content of 40 percent. Versions made from plums or apricots can also be found.

In Dalmatia, Rakia is a spirits is distilled from the mare of grapes and aromatic herbs.

The origins of Rakia are uncertain. The Slavs began to spread and settle in the Balkans throughout the sixth and seventh centuries. The Slavs probably developed Rakia through experimentation with the use of different seasonal fruits.
What is Rakia?