A clear juniper spirit drunk cold as a shot before a meal. It is distilled with juniper berries picked in the Slovak mountains, and several regional borovičkas hold EU geographical indication status.
Distilling is illegal without a licence, and several borovičkas are protected geographical indications restricted to particular Slovak regions.
What goes into it
- juniper berries
- a grain or fruit spirit
- water
How it is made
Juniper berries are either fermented and distilled in their own right — the stronger, older method — or macerated and redistilled with a grain spirit. Slovak practice covers both. The result is bottled clear and unaged, drier and more resinous than gin because juniper is usually the only botanical.
How long it takes: distilled and bottled; no ageing
How it is eaten
Ice cold in a shot glass before a meal, or with tonic.
History
Distilled with juniper berries picked in the Slovak mountains; several regional borovičkas hold EU geographical indication status.
Frequently asked questions
What is Borovička?
Borovička is a wine & spirit from Slovakia: clear juniper spirit drunk cold as a shot before a meal. Distilled with juniper berries picked in the Slovak mountains; several regional borovičkas hold EU geographical indication status.
How is Borovička made?
Juniper berries are either fermented and distilled in their own right — the stronger, older method — or macerated and redistilled with a grain spirit. Slovak practice covers both. The result is bottled clear and unaged, drier and more resinous than gin because juniper is usually the only botanical. It takes distilled and bottled; no ageing.
Can I make Borovička at home?
No, and the atlas gives no method for it. Distilling is illegal without a licence, and several borovičkas are protected geographical indications restricted to particular Slovak regions.
What goes into Borovička?
Juniper berries, a grain or fruit spirit, water.
How is Borovička eaten?
Ice cold in a shot glass before a meal, or with tonic.
