slivovitz

distilled liquor

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July 13, 2026

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Slivovitz is a dry plum brandy, typically colorless, originating from the Balkan countries. Its name comes from the Serbian and Croatian words for "plum". This distilled liquor is made from Damson plums.12

While some slivovitz is unaged and can have a strong "burning quality," aging it can mellow its intensity. The type of container used for aging affects its color: glass results in a clear spirit, while barrels impart a golden-brown hue, similar to whiskey. Slivovitz possesses sweet, fruity aromas from the plums, along with a bitter, herbaceous note derived from the plum kernels included in fermentation. It became a practical use for surplus plums in Eastern Europe, and some enthusiasts still favor homemade versions.2

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brandy
…fruit pits during mashing, include slivovitz, a golden-brown plum brandy produced in various Balkan countries; barack palinka, from Hungary, the best known of apricot brandies; Kirschwasser, or kirsch, produced mainly in Alsace, Germany, and Switzerland, distilled from cherries; and the French plum wines, from Alsace and Lorraine, including Mirabelle, made…
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…fruit pits during mashing, include slivovitz, a golden-brown plum brandy produced in various Balkan countries; barack palinka, from Hungary, the best known of apricot brandies; Kirschwasser, or kirsch, produced mainly in Alsace, Germany, and Switzerland, distilled from cherries; and the French plum wines, from Alsace and Lorraine, including Mirabelle, made…
Read More