rakija

Definition

A strong distilled alcoholic beverage made from various fruits, varieties of which (such as slivovitz) are found across the Balkans and the Mediterranean.

Etymology

Borrowed from Serbo-Croatian rakija/ракија, from Ottoman Turkish راقی (rakı), assumed from Arabic عَرَق (ʕaraq, “sweat; wine”) (as rakija or wine vapor drops are similar to drops of sweat). Doublet of raki.

Example Sentences

• "As in most Balkan countries rakija (pronounced 'RAK-eeyah') is the national drink of Macedonia. While rakija in the surrounding countries is made mainly from fruits such as plums (slivovice) or pears (viljemovka), Macedonian rakija is exclusively made from grapes."