A clear home-distilled mulberry or grape spirit made in the Gilgit-Baltistan valleys. The nickname covers the fruit spirit distilled in Hunza households, where Ismaili communities long fermented mulberries and grapes from the valley orchards.
Alcohol is prohibited for Muslims in Pakistan and distilling is illegal without a licence almost everywhere, and a household still run without a proper cut leaves methanol in the bottle.
What goes into it
- mulberries or grapes from the valley orchards
- water
How it is made
Ripe fruit is crushed and fermented in covered vessels for two to four weeks, then distilled in a small copper still. It is bottled clear and unaged, and both the strength and the cut vary between households.
How long it takes: weeks to ferment, then a day to distil
How it is eaten
Neat in small glasses, quietly and among friends.
History
Nickname for the fruit spirit distilled in Hunza households, where Ismaili communities long fermented mulberries and grapes from valley orchards.
Frequently asked questions
What is Hunza Water?
Hunza Water is a wine & spirit from Pakistan: clear home-distilled mulberry or grape spirit made in the Gilgit-Baltistan valleys. Nickname for the fruit spirit distilled in Hunza households, where Ismaili communities long fermented mulberries and grapes from valley orchards.
How is Hunza Water made?
Ripe fruit is crushed and fermented in covered vessels for two to four weeks, then distilled in a small copper still. It is bottled clear and unaged, and both the strength and the cut vary between households. It takes weeks to ferment, then a day to distil.
Can I make Hunza Water at home?
No, and the atlas gives no method for it. Alcohol is prohibited for Muslims in Pakistan and distilling is illegal without a licence almost everywhere, and a household still run without a proper cut leaves methanol in the bottle.
What goes into Hunza Water?
Mulberries or grapes from the valley orchards, water.
How is Hunza Water eaten?
Neat in small glasses, quietly and among friends.
