What does rakija mean?
Rakija is a strong fruit spirit associated with the Balkans, especially Serbia. Although grape versions are well known, it may also be made from plums or other fruit, and regional producers can add herbs, spices, or fruit flavourings. It is generally stronger and more robust than wine, and traditional serving practices vary: some people drink it neat in small measures, while others combine it with water or a soft drink. The word can refer both to the drink as a category and to a particular homemade or regional production. In English, “rakija” carries a distinctly Balkan cultural association, so it often conveys ideas of hospitality, family tradition, and artisanal distillation that are less prominent in the more general English term “brandy.”
nounA strong distilled spirit made from grapes or other fruit, traditionally produced in the Balkans. It is often served chilled, sometimes with water or a soft drink, and may be flavoured with herbs, fruit, or spices.
- A Balkan distilled spirit traditionally made from grapes or other fruit, especially plums.
- A particular home-produced or regional variety of this spirit.
"They served homemade rakija with grilled meat and vegetables."
"After dinner, she poured small glasses of rakija and set out plates of cheese and cold cuts."
"The village is known for its plum rakija, which is distilled and bottled each autumn."
Usually uncountable when referring to the drink as a category; the plural is used for individual servings or bottles.
"The waiter brought two small rakijas after the meal."
Rakija is more than a single drink: it is a Balkan tradition of fruit distillation, with recipes and serving customs that vary from village to village.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rakija come from?
The word comes through Turkish rakı, a grape spirit, from Arabic ʾaraq, a term for a distilled drink whose precise historical development is older. The Balkan form rakija reflects the spread of this vocabulary through Ottoman and regional cultural connections. Related forms include Arabic ʾaraq, often rendered in English as arak, and English raki, referring especially to the Turkish anise-flavoured spirit.
How rakija is actually used
The term is most natural when referring to Balkan spirits or to a specific traditional variety. In English, it is commonly treated as an uncountable noun when referring to the drink in general, although plural forms can be used for individual servings or bottles.
Easily confused with rakija
Raki is the Turkish anise-flavoured grape spirit, whereas rakija is the broader Balkan term for distilled fruit spirit.
Brandy is the general English term for a spirit distilled from wine or fruit pomace, while rakija more specifically evokes Balkan production and serving traditions.