Slivovitz

Slivovitz is the generic term for strong plum brandies, extensively produced throughout Eastern Europe and the Balkans.

Also known as Sljivovica or Sliwowica.

Slivovitz is the best known type of plum brandy.

It's distilled from fermented plum juice or pulp and aged for years in oak barrels.

The plums being used are the small, blue plums that are grown in vast and rich plum orchards. Some well known and popular brands are...

• Jelinek Slivovitz from Vizovice, Czech Republic
• Badel Sljivovica from Zagreb, Croatia
• Suvoborska Slivovitz from Kostunici, Serbia
• Polmos Sliwowica from Torun, Poland
• Zwack Slivovitz from Budapest, Hungary

The history of plum brandy production in Eastern Europe and the Balkans goes back 400 years or more, when local farmers found a way to make use of the overproduction of plums.

So, besides the well-known brands, there is also a great number of local varieties based on old recipes, handed down from generation to generation.

Slivovitz is usually served as after-dinner drink at room temperature in thin, stemmed brandy glasses - also known as brandy snifters.