Slivovitsa ( Serbian. Љivovica / šljivovica , Czech slivovice ) is a plum raki ( brandy ), widespread in all Balkan countries, as well as Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary. The national drink of Serbia , Northern Macedonia , Bulgaria , Bosnia and Herzegovina , Montenegro , Croatia . In Romania, an identical in manufacturing technology drink is called plum palinka ( pălincă prune ) or tsuika ( țuică ) and is the national strong alcoholic drink of Romania Distillation of various fruits - pears , apricots , plums , apples ). By identical technology, the drink is also produced in Austria and Germany as plum schnapps - Pflaumenschnaps .
Fermented plum juice is used as raw material for plum brandy.
The fortress of Slivovitsy reaches 45% (52% - "home" version), and with double distillation and 75%.
The dwell time of the plum tree is different. Fruit fraction can be drunk freshly. But it is believed that it is better to wait for about five years, keeping it in oak barrels, then the drink will get a deeper and more intense aroma of plum, as well as its own distinctive noble yellow color.
In 2007, the Serbian raki called “Serbian raki Slivovica” received the certificate of the European Community, becoming the first protected product of Serbia, having a geographical origin.
Names in other languages:
- Serb. shivovitsa / šljivovica
- sloven. slivovka
- Hor. šljivovica
- maced plum brandy
- polish śliwowica
- room şliboviţă
- bolg plum, plum brandy, plum brandy
- Slovak slivovica
- ches slivovice
- Hung sligovica
In culture
- In Ivan Mladek 's song “ Yozhin and Bazhin ”, the chairman drinks the plum tree.
- In the second season of the cult American TV series Melrose Place, Amanda Woodward’s heroine drinks plum brandy at a party.
- Slivovits is mentioned in Remarque 's novel “Love your neighbor” :
One minute the mistress stood in indecision. Then she walked firmly to the walnut wall cabinet:
- Here, drink some more on the road ...
She took out three glasses, a bottle and poured.
- Slivovitsa? - asked Steiner.
She nodded and offered wine to the official.
- In the novel “The Liberator” by Viktor Suvorov , Soviet soldiers did not reject Slivovitsy during the deployment of troops in Czechoslovakia :
While cleaning the weapon, someone brought a bottle of Czech plum brandy, and the reconnaissance platoon quickly dried it.
- In the satirical novel by Yaroslav Hasek “The Adventures of the Good Soldier Schweik during World War I” describes the non-standard use of slivovitsy for the “presale preparation” of a dog before showing to the buyer:
Dogs can not paint themselves as ladies, this has to be taken care of by someone who wants to sell them ... And before you sell it, pour a drain into his throat so that the dog is a little tipsy. He will instantly become vigorous, lively, barking and fun to everyone, as a drunken member of the city government.
Slivovitsa gained wide popularity outside Eastern Europe thanks to Jewish immigrants. Vodka and other grain-distilled alcoholic drinks are non-kosher during Pesach and plum brandy became an alcoholic alternative for Jews who observe the laws of kosher. Most modern large producers of plum brandy have a kosher certificate for their products.