7 of the Most Popular Drinks from Serbia

Serbia is a land famous for its hospitality and cooking and drinking loving people. Besides its excellent food, the people here are well versed in preparing many different alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.

This list represents the diverse range of drinks and cultural influences that exist in Serbia. So, let us dive into the various glasses from Serbia.     

1. Elderflower Syrup 

This drink is a staple throughout the summer, mainly in the northern part of the country where the elderflower thrives. The syrup is made from the flowers of the sweet-scented plant. However, there is another famous variation of this syrup.  

Most people know about the delicate white flowers that grow on the elderflower tree. But the plant also gives a red fruit that can be turned into a syrup. This is the second variation of the famous drink, which has an entirely different taste from the one made from flowers.

In any case, the drink is made by diluting the syrup in cold water. It is refreshing and sweet with a flowery aftertaste. Delicious!

2. Turkish Coffee  

This is a method of making coffee that is practiced throughout Serbia and is often drunk in the family setting. It is also popular in Lebanon, Greece and Turkey (obviously).

Basically, this is unfiltered coffee that is prepared in specialized pots. After the water boils, coffee is added and then it is returned to the fire to boil again slightly. This process is repeated. The rule is to let the coffee boil three times.

This coffee is drunk in the morning and sometimes during the day. You can often find people enjoying it with something sweet such as Turkish delight. 

3. Wild Herb Tea

The next drink on our list is a tea mixture, the exact content of which may differ but it is always made or, rather, collected in the same way. This tea comes from the mountainous regions of Serbia, and the different herbs are gathered throughout the year.

Local people with local herb knowledge gather and dry the plants through the year. Then, in the autumn and winter, the various herbs are mixed to make the famous mountain tea.

The beverage is believed to have healing properties because many of the herbs are also used medicinally. The tea has a rich herbal aroma with the scents of different wildflowers filtering through.

4. Wines

Wine has been made in Serbia since Roman times. Each region offers particular conditions for producing particular wines, red, white, rosé, and sparkling.

One of the most famous wines is tamjanika, which is aromatic. The grapes are grown around Negotin and Fruška Gora. The wine comes in white and red varieties, and it is most similar to muskateller wines.

5. Beer

Beer is drunk all through Serbia. Most of it comes from several well-established brewing factories. However, in recent years there has been a proliferation of craft beers made by small local breweries.

You can find these beers in larger stores or specialized pubs that only serve craft beers. Such pubs exist in most large cities in Serbia, and you can visit them to enjoy a pint or two of different craft beers. These breweries make light and dark beers; sometimes, you can even find red beer.

6. Vinjak

The next drink on our list is the Serbian version of cognac. This brandy is made from grapes and begins life like white wine. It is a strong and sweet-tasting drink that offers quite a punch. Locally, people drink it alone or mixed with cola.

7. Rakija

Last but not least is rakija. This is a famous variation of brandy made from fermented fruits and is drunk all through Serbia.

The drink is made by fermenting fruit in barrels then boiling the pulp in special cooking pots to isolate the alcohol. The result is a clear brandy that carries the aroma of various fruits.

Two of the most common fruits used for the drink are plums and apricots. However, the most famous and expensive variations are made from sweet pear and quince. They both have a specific and strong aroma that is delicious to drink and smell, with rakija from quince being more expensive.

Rakija is served at all events and is drunk cold, preferably from the freezer.

Related: Most Popular Serbian Foods
Related: Most Popular Serbian Desserts

Dejan Matlak

Dejan Matlak is an anthropologist from Serbia. He works as a researcher and writer. In his spare time, Dejan loves to sample the gastronomic delicacies from around the world.