Tag: Balkan spirits

While some homemade versions may involve adding sugar to boost fermentation, authentic rakia is a distilled spirit with zero residual sugar. This happens because the distillation process effectively separates the alcohol from the sugars, which were consumed by yeast during fermentation.

Over 50 million liters of rakija are estimated to be produced in Serbia alone each year, making this fruit brandy the undisputed front-runner for the title of what is the most popular alcohol in the Balkans. Across the peninsula, this strong spirit is a deeply ingrained cultural tradition, symbolizing hospitality, celebration, and conviviality.

With an alcohol content typically ranging from 40% to 60% or even higher for homemade batches, rakija is unequivocally a hard liquor. This traditional Balkan spirit is a distilled fruit brandy, putting it in the same league as other strong alcoholic beverages like whiskey, vodka, and cognac.

Just like other distilled spirits, pure rakija contains no carbohydrates or sugar, meaning all its calories come directly from the alcohol content. This makes it a carb-free drink, but the final calorie count per serving can vary significantly based on its alcohol by volume (ABV).