A Short History of Rakija

In today’s blog, we explore the origins of rakija, its early beginnings in Europe, and how it spread to our region. What factors influenced its expansion here?

Spirits are produced through distillation. Distillation was known to the peoples of Mesopotamia, as well as the Greeks and Romans, but it was the Arabs who regularly applied it. The very word “alcohol” comes from the Arabic word al-kohil, meaning a highly purified substance, including liquids. During the 12th century, the process of distillation spread throughout Europe, and distilled beverages became an everyday drink. In the 13th century, Latin medical manuals proclaimed distilled wine a magical new remedy, or “water of life” (aqua vitae).

During the 15th century, the “water of life” transformed from a medicinal drink into a beverage for enjoyment and relaxation. Distilled spirits became especially popular in the colder regions of Northern Europe. In Ireland, the distillation of beer gave rise to whiskey, while in England it led to brandy.

The process of distillation spread to our region in the mid-16th century. The harsh winters and unfavorable weather conditions at the time led to poor harvests, and the reduced quantity of grapes affected not only the quality of wine but also significantly increased its price. Despite the bad weather, the abundance of plums was sufficient to begin producing a new drink that would go on to become the most famous one. In the Slavic countries, this drink is rakija. The very etymology of the name rakija comes from the Arabic word araq, which means “sweat,” referring to the vapor formed during evaporation. Unlike wine, rakija was perfectly suitable for transport because it did not spoil over time—on the contrary, it improved in quality. Rakija was originally recognized as a medicine, and in 16th-century manuals, half a teaspoon of rakija was recommended as a universal cure for everything from digestive troubles and cardiovascular issues to toothaches.

Today, rakija is used for various purposes, cherished as a favorite drink by many and considered an essential part of every household.

Find our brandies at www.suza-tb.hr/rakije , and if you need advice, feel free to contact us!